Flashback Late is the Bell {Akhtar}

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn listened with a small smile on her lips, gaze focused on his face. There certainly was an odd dynamic between them. As one of her brother's closest mates Akhtar had been present for most of her adolescence, somewhere in the background of her life. He was known to her but she did not know him. It felt a little strange to be with him in a context that did not include Brody. Sitting there Hadyn took the opportunity to really see him. He was handsome, to be sure. His relationship with her brother obviously endeared him to her, considering all the times he'd saved Brody's skin. Her sibling never had a bad thing to say about the man. "Masterpieces?" Hadyn's eyebrows rose over amused brown eyes as she pulled her mug closer in preparation for a drink. "No, hardly. I'll leave t'masterpieces to Liam. I'm there to make a coin. He's the artist." In truth Hadyn didn't mind playing second fiddle to her eldest brother. It was he who truly wished to become a master weaponsmith. Her road to apprenticeship came out of convenience, considering she was always tagging along with Liam when he went to the smithy. As much as she did love the craft and took great pride in her work, it was Liam that would continue the Skellig name in the smithing business. With a pause to take a measure sip, the woman caught Akhtar's gaze over the mug's rim before setting the vessel down. "And what of you? Brody says you're enjoyin' your time in the service of t'city. How is it y'couldn't convince his wayward arse into an honest profession?"

[Akhtar]

Akhtar cocked an eyebrow “Come now, you have talent. Don’t douse the embers before they’ve grown into a flame.” He gave a smile his eyes surveying the stallion as he did “If it’s something you enjoy after all, you more than often produce something pretty good,” He gave a nod “Least you can make things though, I’m only good at swinging a sword about.” He gave a laugh and drunk heartily from his mug once more, and felt the slow grasp of alcohol grab at him. He was not a light weight by any amount, but it certainly made him relaxed and more mellow side emerge “Still suppose that’s better than not doing anything.”

“As for the city,” he gave a sigh “It’s alright. Got to keep the peace and that. So many people caught up in a tiny city. I mean, people say we Knights are good for nothing and play the law to our own… but…” he shook his head and continued on “I couldn’t convince your brother even if I wrestled him or drunk him under the table. He’s like that. Then again I’m pretty stubborn too.”
In honesty, it was more of an annoyance than he was letting on. There were some people in the city who were just ungrateful about the presence of the knights, accusing them of being selfish and unfair. It made him think that if they did not like it, then why did they stay? They were happy to live in the walls, so they should follow the city rules. By following the rules peace could be maintained. “Still life goes on. ‘parrently got to go patrol Bronze Woods for a few days soon. Goin’ be interesting to say the least, change of scene and all.”

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn listening attentively, a hand wrapped around her mug. She nodded her agreement regarding her brother's nature. He was petching stubborn. An imperious trait among the Skellig siblings. Taking another sip she averted her eyes as he spoke, considering his words as she swallowed the Stallion's infamous grog. "Bronze Woods, hm? Should be nice t'be out of the city. I envy that bit of your job," she admitted, setting the mug down with a sigh. "This may be a rank crowded city but it's home. Couldn't 'magine bein' anywhere else. But to travel even b'yond the border of the keep must be an adventure." The heat of blood rushing to her cheeks gave Hadyn pause in her statement. She sounded like an ignorant child dreaming of escaping the city walls. She'd heard tales of the world beyond Syliras and while she had no desire to seek those places actively, she enjoyed the stories and did feel the occasional pull of intrigue. With a slight grin, the brunette looked at Akhtar again. "Forgive my digression. What are y'patrollin' for in the Woods?"

[Akhtar]

“Hah, adventure. Perhaps. And you’re right, Syliras is home,” he gave a smile from over the top of his mug “Wouldn’t trade it for anything either,” He raised an eyebrow and gave a nod to her “Nosey little thing aren’t you now?”

The mug was placed down and the knight leaned back in his seat, a look of heavy thought having place itself there. He was trying to focus himself through the drink, and on how much information he should or should not share with her. She may have been Brody’s sibling, but how much he could share with her was beyond him. After all, he only knew her in passing. His finger tapped against the side, a thin rosy haze having now begun to creep across his own cheeks.
“I’ll forgive you. Just this once,” he gave a playful wink, before exhaling “Some hunter said that there’s something a brewin’ there. Didn’t say what exactly though, but it can’t be good if he’s ah asking knights to look into it.” He gave a shrug “Might be a scary monster for all I know. But knowin’ Bronze woods,” he gave a snort “It’s most likely some sod trying to cause trouble. Got to check and catch’em if they are. If not well…” he gave a smirk “it’s a break from the city.”

It was at that point that Akhtar leaned in; his jaw held in his hand as he met the woman’s gaze, a wicked grin having fixed itself in place. “Time to ask questions me thinks. Forgive bluntness, but why doesn’t pretty lass like you have men lining up?” there was a flash of a grin before he leaned away “Or do you and just not tell your brother?”

[Hadyn Skellig]

The blacksmith raised her mug in response, a simpering grin playing on her lips as he commented on her nosy nature. Indeed even the most timid of folk became loquacious after a spell in the Stallion drinking from the ale of drunks. She didn't know how to respond when he explained the reason for his mission so she merely took measured sips, the alcohol calming previously wired nerves. Her eyebrows rose as he intoned a question, the smirk on his lips and the booze in her blood making him all the more handsome. Admittedly unexpected from a quiet man like Akhtar but Hadyn couldn't complain. Perhaps her brother was rubbing off on him. She rather liked this side of him. Setting the nearly empty tankard down, the brunette caught his gaze with a grin. "What my brother doesn't know won't hurt him," she pointed out, drawing her finger around the lip of the mug. "At least on that account." "As for men linin' up, I can't rightly say as few have had t'stones to do much more," she answered with a shrug. "As we know, I'm quite adept at snarin' lads with my seductive wiles. How else do you s'ppose I got you here?" She waggled her eyebrows comically, flashing white teeth as she gave him a smile indicative of the sarcasm dripping from her words. Leaning back, Hadyn regarded him with a faint grin, moistening her lips as she awaited his response.