Free Advertising! (Canali)

[Essik]

Essik smiled at her laughter, enjoying the sound of it even if it was a bit too loud for their own good at the moment. He didn’t really care too much. He looked to her proffered hand and taking it gently. He only used her leverage a little bit as he hoisted himself back up to his feet, nodding a little about her comment,” I’m sure that would be a wise investment of your time. It is always preferable to know how to land properly. But, I do have to say that it was definitely better than almost all the alternatives.” He winked playfully to her a second,” Almost all…” Her comment about having rubbed his head brought his attention back to the dull thumping throb in his skull, but he shook it off,” Don’t fret. Nothing major. Just a nice little headache bouncing its way through my head. Nothing to worry about. It’ll pass.”

His gaze followed hers across the rooftops around them, shaking his head slowly,” I’m just glad you’re alright. And believe me, if I was going to be tackled by anyone, I would much prefer it to be you.” He flashed a quick, rogueish smile to her before looking back to the rooftops, plotting his way back to the manor. He figured that he would need to get back and let Alinar know what was going on. He nodded to her assessment of the route they’d have to take. He’d been roof hoping through the city for most of his life. He knew the rooftops just as well as he knew the streets themselves. But then he realized something. She was talking like they were going to be traveling together. He looked to her, his eyebrows furrowing quizzically for a moment, but only a second before she hooked her arm into his and started leading the way of along the rooftops.

Essik tried hard to wipe the befuddled look off of his face as he walked along with her, listing to her soft humming as they walked along, finally managing to put on a straight face after considerable effort. Canali was a conundrum to him. He couldn’t make heads or tails of her at all. He liked to think that he was typically a good judge of character, but with this woman, he was having a very hard time of it. So, he brushed it to the back of his mind, setting it aside for later. He knew he’d have to spend more time with her before he could ever figure her out, if ever. As he set himself to his fate, he let his stride catch up with hers so that he wasn’t being drug along wherever she wanted. As he walked next to her, his eyes continued to survey the rooftops for any other people who might have been up there. Other thugs were known to use the roofs in their travels as well. He would have to get back to the manor later. But, at least Canali was good company so far.

His eyes went wide for a second as she started singing as they walked along. He looked around for a moment again, thanking Akajia that there were no thugs around for her to call attention to. He really didn’t want to have to tell her to stop. She had a very alluring voice in general and her singing was quite good compared to many of the people he heard singing through the city, so he was content to listen to it for a little while as they strolled along. It was a song that he had heard a time or two before. He didn’t know many of the words for it, but he knew that he did like the tune. So he smiled to her merrily and started humming along with her as they continued on. He let her lead the way along the rooftops to wherever her destination finally was. He had to admit that he had never figured that the night would go this way. He figured it would have been a quick and silent trip home after having gotten done with the painting. This, though, was much more entertaining.

[Canali]

Essik looked confused. This was a good thing in Canali's mind; kept him from becoming too calm with her. Kept him from trying to predict her next move. A victim who was startled by the hunter's movements was always a good thing. The hunter had surprise on his or her side and the less likely there was a chance of the prey defending themselves well. Such as, if someone took the same route everyday in Sunberth, they were more likely to be attacked and robbed, if not much more. While if said person were to take different ways of passage, they were less likely to be hunted and attacked. The attacker would have to stalk his or her victim, leaving them in the wide open with more of a chance to be spotted, instead of lying in wait; to ambush. Eyeing Essik in her peripheral vision, Canali continued on with the next verse of the song. The last part she knew.

"Then let us pray that come it may,
(as come it will for a' that),
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree an' a' that,
For a' that an' a' that,
It's coming yet for a' that,
That man to man, the world o'er,
Shall brithers be for a' that!"

Finishing off on a high, but quiet, note which was suspended through the air for a long moment, Canali breathed deeply for a moment. Essik's words sunk in and even though a light blush floated over Canali's pale cheeks and a giggle slipped from between pink lips, she flapped one hand dismissively in his direction with her right hand; the one which wasn't slipped through his elbow. "Don't get too attached. I'm taken." Pasting a dreamy look on her face, Canali sighed and looked off into the distance. Her singing her stopped for the moment, so silence echoed around the pair. Feeling the need to reassure Essik that was indeed taken, Canali continued. "His name is Antar." Cue longing sigh. "He's handsome. Deadly, but he adores me." So not true. Antar would most likely rather strangle her. "We met awhile back, from friends. Just one of those things, ya know?" Meeting Essik's eyes, Canali twisted her lips into an infatuated smile. "We even stay in the same camp area. What fun we have. Oh boy!" A saucy wink was sent towards Essik, as if to push him to get the general idea.

Canali was lying.

Straight through her slightly crooked teeth.

Hopefully Essik bought the lie.

Looking over at the horizon, Canali knew they had better get off the building top. While tonight might have been a slow night, perhaps they were just early, no one was building hopping that she had spotted with her grey eyes. The buildings were poorly made and several spots had caved in already, even partially. Knowing they were lucky to even have lasted this long on top on this suicidal roof, Canali figured it was most likely from their being near the edge. Glancing around in the dark area, it took several chimes and ticks before Canali spotted the piece of wood jutting out. Wait, make that two pieces of wood. Nodding shortly to herself, Canali practically dragged Essik over the few feet to the fire escape. More than likely half of the steps were broken and/or would give way under their weight, but Canali figured it was at least worth a chance.

"Cmon." Without waiting for his reply, much less to see if he would even follow, Canali uncurled her arm from his, checked to make sure no one was coming in the alley below, and climbed over the retaining wall. Cautiously setting her weight onto the first step, and grinning internally when it held, Canali started down towards the ground slowly. One or two steps cracked and gave way, but Canali kept her feet near the outside at all times; fingers latched on for dear life. Several chimes later, Canali leapt to the ground below, landing softly on the soles of her feet. Tucking back against the wall quickly, putting her hood back up, Canali waited for Essik to follow before speaking softly, "C'mon. I'll buy you a drink for that headache."

[Essik]

That’s it. He was giving up. Giving up on ever trying to figure her out. It was impossible and he knew that now. Some people just had too eccentric of a personality to ever be labeled as one thing. Then, it dawned on him. That is exactly what she was. Eccentric. There was one, simple word to describe this woman. And it fit so perfectly. Essik smiled with triumph to himself as he listened to what she was saying, barely taking any of it in as they walked along. He gave a quick nod and a cursory “uh-huh” now and then to give the impression that he was immersed in the conversation. But in all reality, it wasn’t until she looked him in the eyes that his mind snapped back out of his personal though process and filed away everything that she had been saying. Essik’s smile faded just a little as he started to understand what she had been saying, but he regained his composure and continued on, brushing off the implying wink. Essik chuckled a little,” It sounds to me like the poor fool has his hands full all the time with you around.” He grinned a sheepish smile for a second before he caught himself again and straightened his face.

Essik knew as much as anyone how brittle the roofs of the city could be… from experience. There had been more than one time he’d fallen through a roof as he was running, and he was sure that it’d happen again before he finally got out of the city and off to other places. He wanted to get off to cities that weren’t crumbling around their citizens. Off to places not being run by sick petching criminal scumbags. He wanted out of this gods forsaken place. And if he could find a few half-way decent souls to take with him in the circus off to more grand and upstanding locations, then all the better.

He looked back to Canali once more as she mentioned for him to follow, watching as she made her way over to a fire escape. Personally, Essik usually just made his way to lower level buildings, one after the other, until he could just jump down onto the streets below. It was a much safer way to do it than climbing the fire escapes around here. But, she was leading the way at this point, something that Essik was still puzzled about, and she was heading down the escape. So, he waited until she was down to the street below before he started his trip down. He didn’t want to rain down wooden debris on her as they made their way down.

At about the top of the first floor of the building, Essik simply pushed himself from the ladder, letting himself fall the short distance to the ground. He landed with the balls of his feet first before rocking back onto his heels and bending his knees as he sank into a crouch to absorb the momentum of his fall, all to keep his landing as quiet as a cat as he reached the ground. Essik stood to this full height once more and looked to Canali as she mentioned the drink. He perked his eyebrow curiously for a moment,” I don’t know. If your catch of a man is as deadly as you say, I might not want to be seen in public with you, you know?” He chuckled a litte, looking around for a second. Something inside his head told him he had heard that name before. He wasn’t quite sure where, though.

[Canali]

Though humid, the city was quiet enough to where the waves lapping against the beach was heard. Maybe it was just her imagination, though. Canali's mind sometimes did run away with her. Every now and then, the sounds of someone yelling was heard. No idea what they were saying, though. A scream of terror or a cry for help? Maybe a fighting family? Would the father raise a clenched hand to the mother? Had a child misbehaved? Was their house being broken into and they were all scrambling to escape the villain or fight back? Having absolutely no idea, Canali shrugged and turned her eyes to watch Essik come down. Though it took less than a chime, she wished he would be faster. A person climbing down the side of a building was definitely an easy target. Thankfully, Essik seemed to reach the ground fairly soon, landing nimbly. For a moment, Canali was jealous of his grace. If she had tried that, her bum would have been sore for a week! Definitely not something for a klutzy person to try.

Leveling a chastising look at Essik, Canali raised one dark colored eyebrow in the darkness under her cloak's hood. Sure, Essik most likely couldn't see it as the shadows concealed most of her small frame. As did the large cloak and hood which rested upon her soft, pale skin. "I'm sure he won't mind," slipped from her dry lips, calm and deceptive. No, Antar surely wouldn't mind. Petching hell, he wouldn't mind if she were to be killed, as long as he was rid of her. Most likely would smile, nod, and go out to a local tavern to celebrate with a round of bitter tasting shots. No, he couldn't care less about what happened to her or which men she treated to alcoholic beverages. Besides, he was probably out late tonight, savoring the sweet kisses and sleeping in the bed of another woman. Internally, Canali laughed. Poor slutty lady who had to deal with him while in that kind of mood. You lie in the bed you dig, eh?

"Besides. I'm paying. Wouldn't want to say no to a perfectly nice woman, right?" Perhaps Essik could feel the puppy dog look which had sashayed over her facial features? Maybe not. Either way, Canali scuttled out of the shadows, from against the brick wall, and looped one arm casually around Essik's thin shoulders. No, Canali wasn't leaving him a choice. Most men would run the other direction if the lady gave them a choice in the matter; especially if said woman had mentioned being taken earlier. Resting her hand across his right shoulder, Canali was pressed snugly against his side; hip to hip, arm to arm, and leg to leg. Tilting her head up to be seen in the dim light, Canali laid her head against his left shoulder. She blinked innocently at Essik with large, pleading, grey eyes. Never mind how close their bodies were, or her arm around him, or even the slight pout upon her face. Scraping her lightly blushing cheek against his warm arm in a nuzzling manner, Canali shut her eyelids for a long chime, black lashes resting upon her cheek; echoing in the innocence. Suddenly, snapping open, they focused on Essik's. As if shy, a tooth peeked out to nibble and tease her full bottom lip and softly, quietly, Canali spoke into the night, "Please?"

[Essik]

Wouldn’t mind, huh? Either that or he’d never know. Essik knew it was few and far between where there was a man who wouldn’t mind if his “significant other” was out having drinks with any potential competition. Essik narrowed his eyes for a second, trying to look through the shadows of her hood to see her face. It wasn’t working very well, though. But still, he could all but feel the look she was wearing. He sighed slightly, scratching the back of his head sheepishly for a second,” I’m sure he wouldn’t…”
His head pulled back slightly as she moved toward him, closing the short distance between them quickly in the darkened shadows of the alleyway. His finger tensed over the trigger for his spring blade a moment, expecting to feel a dagger piece his side or some kind of pin prick as a poisoned needle sank into his flesh. But he held himself back… for some reason. He was loath to admit that he’d done in one or two people before who had started clinging to him from out of nowhere. But that had been in the middle of a mission, so he had needed to remain as unnoticed as possible. So they had sealed their own fate with their actions. But still, Essik looked to her as she started to… snuggle up to him?
Oh gods, he’d seen this before. Essik knew this game. He’d seen so many little begger kids pull stunts like this before trying to get money out of him, or at least get his attention while another kid tried to make off with his coin pouch. Thankfully, Essik hadn’t brought his coin pouch with him, only a few coins that were in his pocket at the moment. And he was pretty sure he’d be able to feel her hand if it were in his pocket. Either that or she was really, really good at pick pocketing. Essik’s head cocked to the side a little, curious if she was actually trying to pull this stunt on him. He couldn’t believe it, a fully grown woman. He shook his head slowly, a slow, boyish smile creeping across his lips and a quiet chuckle vibrating through his chest for a second,” You’ll have to introduce me to this Antar sometime. I’ll have to ask him in person to see what he thinks.” He winked as he started off down the alley at an easy pace as to not disturb her from her spot. Taken or not, he wasn’t going to say no to attention from an attractive woman. So, he started down the alley toward the more populated places. He knew that he wasn’t going to actually let her pay for the drinks or anything like that. He had enough to cover that by far. But he’d let her think that she had the upper hand in her little games. He looked back to her once more, bowing his head for a second, and saying with a low, defeated tone” I suppose…” Thankfully the shadows were hiding the mischievous twinkle in his eyes as they continued on towards one of the better tavers that was open late into the night.

[Canali]

Essik was warm. And comfy. The smile twisted his face and made it almost glow and really suited him. Boyish, young, mischievous. It made him seem almost… Childlike. For a moment, the thought raced across Canali's mind about how old he was. Nothing more than names had been traded, after all. Judging from his looks, Canali figured he was near the early twenties. Maybe twenty three? Then again, Canali looked eighteen, so Essik could easily be in the high twenties. Maybe even thirty? Canali hadn't gotten a good enough look to tell whether there were crinkles hiding on the edges of his eyes. Which were what color..? Blue? Green? So hard to tell in this horrible lighting, along with the angle of her head, from where it lay on his shoulder.

When Essik commented about how he'd have to meet Antar sometime, Canali stiffened momentarily. Definitely not a good idea. Antar would either play along and embarrass Canali in some way, whether it be verbally or physically. Antar also might otherwise call her bluff, leaving an awkward situation for Canali to handle. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to maneuver her way out of that one, Canali didn't comment. Upon Essik's movements, Canali's arm slipped down from his shoulder. It was just too awkward of an angle to stay at. Unfortunately, this left her right arm curled around his thin waist. Cheek pressed against his shoulder, Canali's fingers tapped out a rhythm against his clothed skin; such as the one to the song earlier. She hadn't expected him to play along instead of shrugging her off. Even still, this meant Essik would have a drink. Maybe she could weasel some information out of him in his intoxicated state. Rumors had flown around about him running a… Circus? Definitely something which peaked her curiosity.

As they traveled down the street towards a tavern, Canali's ears picked up the footfalls of someone coming down an alley towards them. Knowing it would look strange for a pair of people to be out at this time of night, with their close proximity, in Sunberth, Canali took initiative. Besides, her acting skills needed practice, anyways!

Since she and Essik were near a wall and the footfalls were getting louder, Canali shifted Essik closer before actually pushing him against the bricks. In the process of this, Canali had moved from his side to the front of him. "Play along," whispered from slightly parted lips. Releasing the arm which had snaked around his waist, Canali slipped it up around his skinny neck, fingers sliding into his slightly greasy hair. Face upturned towards his, Canali's back arched her towards him; breast pressed to chest. Her cloak swirled around her form, framing her supple body and the curves. A shadow popped around the corner from the alley and Canali's voice rang out, clearly, "C'mon, babeee. Only ten mizas. I'll be yours for the whole night…" Teasing and with a hint of pouting underneath. Normally she wouldn't have even spoken, but they were in plain sight and hookers were a regular for Sunberth. Definitely not something most people would second guess seeing. Silently, Canali hoped Essik picked up on the idea.


If not… They might be in a bit of trouble.

[Essik]

Well there was an interesting moment. The mention o meeting ‘Mr. Right’ sometime brought a quick, subtle hiccup in the woman’s actions as they strolled along leisurely through the Sunberth alley, like there wasn’t a serious threat of them being ambushed, mugged, killed, beaten, or otherwise accosted at any moment. Essik grinned a little bit, almost wishing that someone would try. He could use a good kneejerk test of his reflexes that night. He hadn’t been out on a real assignment in a long while since that last one. He felt like he was getting soft, and that was a bad thing. He was going to have to increase his daily training to get himself back into the swing of things. Of course this whole Circus ordeal was going to be taking a lot of his time for quite a while before it really got up and running to where it needed to be before it made its way out of Sunberth and onto bigger and better cities.

But still, that was neither here nor there at the moment, so he pushed it off to the side of his mind as he focused on the present. He looked back over to her, still wearing the simple, devilish grin on his face as he watched her as they continued on. He wondered to what end this game of hers would come to before the night was out. He was content to play along with it, really, if only just to find out what she had in store. If she was going to try and kill him, she’d have done it already. If she was going to have other people kill him, she’d have done it already. So he was feeling at least a little bit more at ease around her. After all, the way that her arm slipped around his waist, and the motion of her fingers as they tapped against his side was a nice sensation. He chuckled silently for a second, figuring that, if she wanted to play her games, he could play back. He was about to move the arm she was holding onto out of her grasp and around her waist when he heard the sound of the approaching person as well. His eyes narrowed slightly once more, the smile vanishing from his lips n an instant as his fingers went the triggers for his hidden blades once more.

But that was only a moment before Canali preempted his thoughts with her actions. His eyes widened a second as she turned him, putting his back against the wall and moving in close enough to feel her warm breath slip past her lips across his skin as she whispered her advice to him quietly as they waited for the intruder to approach. Essik fought to keep his attention as innocent as possible as her body pressed firmly against his, hard enough that he swore he could feel her pulse through her perfect breasts, which were currently being lifted upward toward him by the motion of her body. He fought bravely to keep his eyes locked on hers, but he loved being able to use his peripheral vision as well as anyone else’s normal eyesight. He bit his lip hard for a second, his eyes skill locked with hers as she spoke again, her voice taking on a perfect longingly begging tone to it that sent hot shivers down his spine. He was glad her hips weren’t pressed against his at the moment, lest she realize the effect she was having on him currently. It would not do well for her to know that she could get his attention so easily. He didn’t want her to be able to lord that over him whenever she wanted, or tease him more through the night.

Still, his eyes snapped over to the shadowed figure that moved around the corner of the building down the alley they currently took up. He watched carefully as the figure approached, not moving his face away from hers, but only his eyes from under the shadows casted down over his face. Essik slowly let a smile stretch across his face again, a playfully wicked, seductive smile. The kind he reserved only for those who knew how he liked to really play,” Please, S’gar, you know that you ain’t ever charged me full price.” His voice had dropped a full octave, dripping with every ounce of seduction he could pull from his body, playing right along with her,” Why don’ we just go back t’ my place. We can figure out the price af’er we’re…” He stopped talking, trailing off a second as he looked up to the figure as he started to walk past. Essik face turned to a wall of bitter, angry, hatefull fury in the matter of a second,” What th’ petch you lookin’ at, scum sucka’. Get outa’ here ‘fore I throw your perv’rt arse through tha’ wall.” His head lurched forward a moment to emphasis the last word of his sentence.

Essik continued to “mean Mug” Whoever the man was as he continued on down the alleyway. After he was out of sight, Essik looked back to Canali again, wrapping his hands slowly move to her hips as his roguish smile spread across his lips once more,” You know, for a woman like you, you’d better charge more than 10 miza. Otherwise your selling yourself short.” He chuckled slightly, biting his lip and shaking his head slowly, his crystal clear eyes locked with hers once more. He couldn’t help himself. It must have been a combination of the adrenaline in his body at the moment combined with having a woman like her pressed so close to him. Whatever it was, it caused him to lean his head down and kiss her. It wasn’t a long, passionate kiss. Instead, more of a quick, fevered, excited kiss leaving his lips lingering against hers for only a few moments to translate the wild exhilaration her felt at the moment. As he pulled back away from her, he kept his face cool and calm, still smiling even though his brain was registering exactly what he had done. He figured he’d see what her reaction was before he started apologizing or anything.

[Canali]

Shock colored Canali pink. He sounded so much like a regular customer to… To prostitutes! For a second, she herself almost believed him. However, once the man left and Essik's arms curled around her waist, Canali almost reminded him this was all just an act. A funny look was sent his way as he spoke about her price. Like some animal. Some… whore. An expensive, so he said, prostitute who took money for a night of leisure and pleasure. A night full of breathy sighs, shared kisses and wandering touches. Then again, Canali had acted the part and also told him to play along. He sure had, though she hadn't counted on the warm pit of fire starting in her stomach or on the flutter of her beating heart when it skipped a beat.

Oblivious and naïve, Canali should have seen his eyes flicker to her lips before his own covered hers in a rushed, spur of the moment, kiss. Soft even though the touch was rough, warm even though there was barely any time to truly tell. Idly, Canali noted the feel of a beat of sweat on his upper lip. How odd. His light colored eyes didn't shut, either, but instead captured her in a stare. Essik didn't give her a chance to respond, even though Canali wasn't quite sure how she would have, before he pulled away. Leaving red lips behind and a startled lady. Thoughts still not processing quite correctly, Canali figured she would laugh it off; keep the moment from becoming too awkward and stiff. No, because there was a chance then that Canali wouldn't find the information she wanted.

Distractedly, she noted the hand which had slid into his hair before had tightened. Giving an apologetic little smirk with half of her mouth, Canali didn't loosen the hold. He was only a couple inches taller then her, which leveled her forehead at his chin. Amused, she watched the vein in his neck pulse to the beat of his heart. If this was any hint, his was beating as fast as hers. Tempted beyond control, Canali leaned forwards to lick the spot. Beneath her moist tongue, it pulsed rhythmically. Leisurely, her tongue swirled once before retreating. He tasted like… Cinnamon, almost. Maybe Canali had been in the kitchen a tad bit too long if humans were starting to taste like the flavors she sprinkled over top of meals. Tilting her head upwards, Canali's grey eyes searched his for a chime before she leaned up, moist breath bouncing against his skin, and captured his lower lip between her teeth. Not enough to hurt. Nibbling lightly before sucking on it, running her tongue over the space where she had bitten.

Sometime during this, she had moved to stand between his knees, cloak practically covering them both. The feeling gave her a slight rush of power, knowing her body literally trapped his, but still left her almost vulnerable. A strand of stay hair had fallen from the makeshift ponytail, dangling along the side of her pale skin. Moving back to the flats of her feet, body brushing against his all the way down, Canali used her opposite arm to reach up and tap him on the nose, playfully. Grey eyes twinkled with mirth. "I think you know a tad bit too much about the price of whores, Essik." Teasing, light, airy. The hand which had gripped his hair loosened, twirling a strand of hair between two fingers; the thumb and forefinger. "Now then. How about that drink?" He wasn't the only one who could use one.

[Essik]

Essik hadn’t really expected a good reaction from his quick action. He had figured all he would get was a hard smack across the face to wipe the taste of her lips from his as he stood there, only regaining his composure to watch her walking away down the alley. It was not very often in life that a man made a quick decision like he had just done and got away with it, let alone seemingly rewarded for it. Even before his lips had left hers he could feel her fingers tense through his hair. It had caused another hot shiver to run down his spine reflexively. He had been sure that she was only holding his head there long enough to deck him for what he did, but he knew as soon as he had done it that he probably deserved it. Still, what he got in return was nothing like he expected. He wasn’t accosted as he lips reluctantly pulled away from hers. Instead, her fingers lingered there, laced through his locks with an assertive hold that only worked to increase his pulse and quicken his breathing a bit more. He was pretty sure she couldn’t know what kind of things it did to him to have his hair tugged like that. Not pulled… He hated having his hair pulled hard. But just that longing tug against his scalp always drove him mad. His head rolled back just a touch as he let the sensation cascade down his body.

It wasn’t until her tongue slide along the skin of his neck that a slight gasp escaped him. He couldn’t help but to adjust his head away from her, giving her even a little better access to his neck as the muscles tightened slightly against the feeling of her tasting his skin. His hands pressed a bit harder against her hips as he pulled her entire body closer to his now, his fingers rhythmically pressing against her to the same pace as his breathing. When she pulled away from him, he looked down to her, his visage etched into a look of controlled lust at the moment, save for his eyes which showed a hint of pleading for her to continue. But he was still again rewarded as she pushed her moth up to his, catching his lip between her teeth. His breath caught for a second, his eyes finally closing for even just a moment, as she teased him relentlessly. Inside his head, he was convincing himself to continue, to press the advantage that he’d built up to at this point. She was all but literally asking for him to kiss her once more, again with feeling this time. Not just a split second, knee jerk reaction this time. But before he could act, she pulled away once more, settling back down flat on her feet. Essik sighed heavily for a moment at the missed opportunity as she spoke her jest. He smiled merrily though at her comment, shaking his head,” You don’t watch the streets like I do and not come away with some kind of knowledge of how things go around here. But no, I would never pay for the company of a woman. No woman I have to pay for could match the company of women whose interests aren’t purchased. Prostitutes, from all my observations, aren’t for as much conversation as I usually am.” He grinned impishly for a second before nodding a little once more,” I think that a drink would help to calm my nerves a little. But I warn you, I often get even more frisky when I get a few drinks in me.” he winked playfully, slowly releasing his hands from her body to let her back once more. This time, as they stood next to each other, he offered his arm to her to take once more before starting to lead the way back down the alley once again.

He headed down the alleys again, disgruntled that they didn’t happen to find any other people walking along the allies again, lest he get to play their little assumed roles once more. But he shrugged it off as they got to the tavern. He stopped a second, holding open the door to the bar and looking in for a second before he stood back and let her enter, once he was sure that there were no ruffians near the entry way. He looked to her, gesturing to the interior space with a sweep of his hands,” Pick a place, mi’lady, anywhere that you would like.”

[Canali]

After tucking her hands around his arm again, Canali leaned her head against his shoulder. A satisfied smirk laced her lips and twisted them upwards. He was attracted, at least physically, to her alright. The proof made her giggle mentally. If she could twist this to her advantage, perhaps Canali would find out everything she was interested in tonight and more. A mini thought popped into her head. If this was him frisky, what was he like after a few drinks? Essik had mentioned something about being talkative and prostitutes not like he wanted them to be. But she assumed that was after the act was finished. This brought up the question of how the night was to end. If, judging just from the most recent events, Canali and Essik did end up together in a physical way, Canali really had no problem with that. Conversation after? Well… She might mutter something about sleep and roll over. If they didn't, that was no problem either. After all. It wasn't cool to lay down with the other person on the first date. However… This wasn't really a date.

Thinking back, a light blush stained Canali's cheeks for the way she had acted. Like such a… Harlot. They barley even knew each other!

Thoughts interrupted by their arrival at the tavern, Canali was pleasantly surprised to have Essik holding the door. People just didn't do that anymore. Especially not in Sunberth. No. Most here would rather hold your coinpurse than a door. After blinking at him for several ticks, Canali wandered through the door, brushing past Essik's body with her own. Judging from how busy of a night it was, there would be more than one brawl before the moon set. Deciding on a table in the far back, near a partly secluded corner with shadows flickering, Canali grasped Essik's hand. Tugging him over to the table, Canali waited until he had sat before plopping down on his legs. Thank goodness she didn't weigh three hundred pounds! She was close enough to his knees to avoid any awkward.. Uh, meetings. Situating to lean against him, Canali's grey eyes traced several of the tavern customers. Dangerous, burly, men with deadly lights in their eyes. Flickering over to a pair seated at a table near the bar, who were shifting and talking in hushed tones, Canali figured some type of shush-shush dealings were going down. A while ago, she had been in a group like that.

"What can I getcha?" the barmaid who looked bored with her job and the sexual harassments, gnawed on the end of her pencil. One hand held the pad of paper. She had set a tray down on the table top, overflowing with dirty mugs and dishes. Large, overly decorated blue eyes stared at Canali, waiting for her answer. Rough, probably barely washed, dark brown hair was piled high on her head in a messy hairdo. Nodding as Canali asked just for a mug of ale. Tilting her head up towards Essik, Canali watched him while he ordered. Once the barmaid had shuffled over to fufill their orders, Canali leaned up and planted an open mouth kiss against Essik's jaw.

"Sorry. It looked smooth. I wanted to see if it truly was." It had been. "I've heard some rumors. About a circus. You know anything about that?" Sweet and innocent, Canali batted her eyelashes at him.