Closed [The Rearing Stallion] Here We Go (Hadyn)

[Orion Michaels]

“Classy,” he remarked, covering his mouth to stifle his own laugh. “You’ve barely been drinking and you’re already making a mess of yourself. What a lush.” Blue eyes settled on her face as he shook his head slowly in mock disappointment. Though, if Orion would have been drinking during that display, he’d have likely not fared much better. “Nice job keeping it down,” he said, tossing her a wink of his own.

“It’s delightful to hear you say that. I trust you’ll have no complaints if I bring along any of my other wives for any fun we may have, hmm? Why have one when you can have them all?” Tracing his finger along the rim of his mug, Orion’s expression was one of much amusement. Corners of his lips were turned up in a smirk he couldn’t get rid of. “Though I can assure you, any others will seem like nothing when you compare them back to me. I wonder…should I send you away now? I wouldn’t want to ruin other men for the rest of your life.”

A lovely lady offering to pay for his drink? The world was over, right? Was he dead? “I can’t say that’s an offer I can turn down.” Tapping his index finger on the top of his glass, the squire tilted his head to the side in an inquisitive manner. “It does baffle me quite that we’ve never crossed paths. With you buying me all these drinks and buttering me up so much, I don’t think my defenses would have been able to stand.” Lifting his mug back to his lips, he cleared the container of its frothy liquid. His other hand followed to replace the wooden mug on his lips, wiping the foam from around his mouth. “An independent, attractive, hardworking, blunt yet somehow charming woman, who comes to the Rearing Stallion all the time, even though I’ve never met her.” He leaned forward, placing an elbow on the table and resting his chin on his hand. “It sounds like a joke, doesn’t it?”

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn laughed, the booze settling warmly in her body as she motioned to a barmaid to come by. He was a quick one, Orion was. Still, there was something endearing about his comportment and character. She couldn't place it - but she wasn't trying very hard. A damn shame she'd missed him all this time. "Good thing, that," she noted in response to his announced polygamy. "You havin' more wives means I can have a menagerie of boytoys, no?" she smirked gently, running a fingertip about the rim of the mug. She'd adopted a relaxed countenance, her head tilted slightly to observe him. "Hardworking, indeed. Dunno how I fair on the others, but I do work hard. But only so I can play hard." Another smirk. Hardly an attempt at being coy or otherwise flirty. She could've done much better if the stakes were higher. But conversation flowed easily with Orion and she felt no need to compete with the other lovely ladies of the tavern. If another woman caught his eye, she wouldn't be left crying. He was certainly attractive and charming enough but it was no skin off her back if he lost interest. Hadyn wasn't a man-eater by any means. "I'll catch the next round as you seem to've run dry." The barmaid came over and left quickly with the order. Hadyn returned her attention to Orion with a curious smile. "So tell me more of yourself, my misguided squire."

[Orion Michaels]

"But of course. It wouldn't be fair any other way. I hope I didn't give any illusions of being exclusive. Where's the fun in that?" Flirt, flirt, flirt. That's what he did, and she seemed plenty happy to return the favor. This was just the reason he kept coming back to this place. There were always gems to be found, even if it was just for some banter and a drink. "Though you'll have to use your working women wages to take care of them. Only my wives get a free ride from me...so to speak."

His hand remained in contact with his mug whilst she spoke as he would mimic her movements, his index finger toying with the rim of the cup. He let out a dramatic sigh and replied. "Ah, a woman after my own heart. What's the point of earning all those coins if you can't blow them on a good time. Though I wonder, a smithy pays well. What makes you come to the Stallion? Don't like rubbing arms with the arrogant upper class?"

He nodded in thanks as she offered to buy his round. "I'll never turn down a free drink. Especially when you're clearly just trying to loosen my inhibitions." He clicked his tongue, tch tch tch, in admonishment before continuing. "It'll take a bit more than a drink to get into my pants, Miss Skellig. Though to loosen my tongue, well that's another matter."

He let out a soft chuckle as the barmaid left with his empty mug. "So you want to know about one Orion Michaels, huh?" Sitting back in his chair, Orion brought a hand to his chin in mock contemplation. "Should I tell you about how amazing he is? About how many lives he's single handedly saved and about how he selflessly gave up a lucrative career in the medicine to pick up the blade and defend Syliras?" Orion shook his head vigorously back and forth. "No, no. That sounds too arrogant. Wouldn't want to give you the wrong impression. Maybe this is better. Maybe he's just a simple man who enjoys a pretty drink and a strong girl. No. That's not it. A strong drink and a pretty girl. There we have it." The barmaid returned with their drinks and set them on the table. "Though I don't think he has any problems with a pretty girl who happens to be strong. You seen any around?" He winked slyly as he brought his fresh drink to his lips, though it wasn't easy to drink with the smirk he couldn't wipe off his face.

"Anyways," he said, after bringing the drink back down. "Your turn. Tell me about this smithing woman who comes into bars trying to seduce innocent young men. Handsome ones, at that."

[Hadyn Skellig]

The woman listened in silence, acknowledging his words with smiles, nods and general expressions of intrigue. He played the game well, quite obviously an experienced player. He enjoyed the thrill of the hunt - perhaps more than the prize itself. Hadyn could hardly fault him for it. She let loose a sneer at his comment regarding the arrogant upper class. Though her response was reeking disdain her visage melted in a grin as he spoke her name. "I'd rather loosen your tongue than your belt buckle at this stage of the conversation," she interjected slyly with a cant of the head. Like him she'd danced this waltz before and appreciated an accomplished partner. His well played monologue following her question received a wide smile, her lips parting to display straight, white teeth. Hadyn leaned forward, placing both forearms on the table, scooting her behind to the edge of the chair. That loose strand of hair fell forward, dividing her left eye in half. He'd asked her to return the favor but she had other things to address. Besides, she couldn't talk at length about her life without boring herself. Regardless, Orion's skill with words was giving her pause to consider going home alone tonight and she offered a simpering smile to prove it. "Seducing innocent young men? Surely you cannot mean yourself. You demonstrate quite an impressive command of dialogue. So much so I must only conclude that this is far from your first time enchanting a lady." Hadyn smiled with coy interest, licking her lips before continuing. Her voice was throaty albeit smooth, adopting a seductive quality as she watched him beneath dark lashes. "I'm well aware of your antics around this city, though the names I've heard don't quite do you justice as you sit here before me. I have no doubt you have uttered similar compliments to the other lovely ladies of Syliras and have left them melting under your smoldering sapphire gaze." She sat back once more, tilting her chin up ever so slightly. It was certainly not her desire to disillusion him but Hadyn was blunt when it came to men. And she called it as she saw it, though she didn't wish to douse the fire. Not yet at least. Her tone returned to its regular register, the tempting timbre all but dissolved. "That is not to say, Ser Michaels, that I won't similarly melt. But I don't intend to be enticed as if I am the only woman you have used these moves on. You are excellent at your craft. So if I happen to be the pretty girl offering a strong drink tonight then I am most likely in good company with past women." The blacksmith smiled before taking a final swig from her mug. Setting it down, she looked up in mock surprise, narrow eyebrows arched over widen eyes. "Oh, petch it all. With all that prattling I've gone and forgotten your question."

[Orion Michaels]

"My tongue has gotten me in more trouble than my buckle," he admitted. "So I can't help but wonder if you picked correctly." Eyebrows raised in challenge, though a grin could not help but meet hers. He'd met many in this very bar who he could have had dragging him back to their rooms by now, or at least project that's where they would end up. This Hadyn, though, she was her own creature, that was for sure. The back and forth, the banter, the posturing, that's what the squire loved about it, in some cases more than the resulting adventure between the sheets. "I suppose time will tell, hmm?"

Orion leaned forward again as she spoke, if just to close the distance a bit more as she spoke of resisting his charms and guile. "You wound me, Hadyn," he said, his voice crying out in fake offense. "Fine, fine. Innocent adult men. I hadn't realized you had such a nose for the bent truth." Of course it wasn't what she was referring to. He knew that much. A response that wasn't, those were the best. "It's true, I'm getting up in years. I'm afraid they'll have to put me down before too long," he said, shaking his head sadly. "That aside," he began, piercing blue eyes never leaving hers, "I'd say this isn't the first in which you've attempted to resist the wiles of a charming gentleman."

Sultry tones tempted his resolve, but her indications of a woman interested, but not one hooked would stay his hand. Move too fast, scare them off. Move too slow, and they move on. Generalized, perhaps, but nonetheless, Orion found his curiosity piqued by this woman. If she knew of his reputation and wasn't running off, well, she was probably wild. Just what I'm looking for..

"Miss Skellig, I shan't deny that you have a command of words as well, not to mention a will that is strong. I must say, though, that intentions are one thing. Desires are another. I find..." he paused, quickly licking his lips before continuing. "I find that one's mind and one's body will frequently disagree on which is the best choice." He shrugged before adding to his statement. "I'm afraid this drink is far from strong, though you've got the pretty part of it right. Maybe quantity is the best route for this evening. And as I figure you aren't interested in any of these other women you've spoken of, I assure you I'm talking about more drink." He motioned for another round for the two of them, remarking casually. "I hadn't realized you were such a lightweight. Tell me, are you the sort that gets all clingy when you're drunk? Or the dark and brooding sort? Because I can't be bothered if that's you." He kept a serious expression, if for a few seconds before bringing his hand up to his mouth to cover the grin spreading across his lips. The alcohol was getting to him a little, the euphoric buzz teasing all of his senses. Everything was a tad bit more interesting when ale was involved.

"My question doesn't matter, Hadyn. I think I'm finding what I need to know, and more." Whether she realized it or not, she was opening up to him more and more. Nothing crazy, nothing big, but it was all enough for the observant man to pick up on. Blunt, forward, unafraid to say what she wanted and what she thought. Gorgeous to boot. He'd not intended to find someone to go home with when he'd come to the tavern, but he was more than warmed to the idea now. "And don't worry, it's mostly good. Well, passable, I suppose." Those teasing tones again. Orion bit his lower lip for a second to briefly suppress another chuckle, the full pink flesh turning red while under pressure. "I guess what I mean to say, is I've seen worse. That's what you women like to hear, right?" He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and tapping his right cheek with his index finger. "Please, if you're going to slap me, do this side. It doesn't get the same attention as the other." A quick wink followed his words as he settled in to wait for his drink, but he anticipated her reply more than any mug he'd ever drank.

[Hadyn Skellig]

An amused grin was emblazoned upon her full lips, brown eyes glinting with mirth. This night was turning into quite the event. The barmaid arrived with another round but before she could depart, Hadyn caught gentle hold of her arm, tilting her face into the overhead candlelight to look at the woman. "Your strongest spirit. Two," her eyes flicked to Orion with a devious if not challenging smirk before returning to look at the barmaid. The girl nodded curtly and the blacksmith released her arm. Turning her attention to the squire, the woman considered which of his statements to tackle first. "Agreed, this is not the first time I have attempted to resist the charms of a man," she noted. "Nor is it the first time I have succeeded." She offered him a wink before leaning slightly forward once more, resting her elbows on the surface of the table, hands clasped before her as she regarded him. The light was just such that, were he to take a peek, the top of her shirt and vest sloped barely enough to illuminate the top of her breasts - though it was only a glance. Hadyn felt no need to hoist her bosom into impossible corsets to entice handsy men to her body. If that was what the gentlemen wished for, let them find it with another woman. Aware of her chest's visibility but unconcerned with making a show of it, the blacksmith continued. "Lightweight?" she mused silently for a minute, lips down-turned in consideration. "Yes, in some circles I would very much be one. And as for clingy or brooding, I suppose I am both in the right setting." Another mischievous smile. "Regardless of which describes me presently I must disagree with you, for in my experience the mind and body on the subject of desire have never quarreled but worked in harmony. How else might one enjoy the pleasures of the world without a guilty conscience later on? But you must forgive me for the lengthy explanations. My brother trained all our childhood to become a scribe and thus has left me with a tendency for long winded diatribes. Dreadful habit in a lady, I know." A faint blush rose from her neck into her cheeks - indicating she was truly chagrined by this fact. Aware that an observant man like Orion would likely note this, Hadyn simply smiled earnestly, without an attempt to hide or brush it off. Was the alcohol getting to her? Or perhaps he was. Her eyes caught his as she considered his final statement, prior to the quip about slapping. She figured she ought to address it before the hard liquor arrived. "Women do like to hear you've seen worse," Hadyn confirmed with a grin. "And for all my pretenses I am nothing but a woman who enjoys being told she is passable. I should hardly think to slap you for paying me an adequate compliment. For shame on women who take your tolerable flattery as an insult. They ought to take what they get and be happy for it." Hadyn nodded smartly as if it were a serious matter, her brows knitting with the magnitude of the statement. Before she could speak further on the subject, two very full glasses of rich amber liquid were placed before them. Hadyn nodded to the barmaid and met Orion's eyes. "I hope you're ready to spill all your dirtiest secrets to me, Ser Michaels."

[Orion Michaels]

"Only two," he countered, tilting his head slightly in question. "That will hardly do. Make it four," he called after the barmaid, meeting the flirtatious blacksmith's smirk with one of his own. "At this rate we'll have to settle for curling up together on this table, hmm?" Oh how Orion was going to regret this later. He'd built up quite a tolerance for the sauce, but he was not young enough to pound it down at this rate anymore. Top on two of Syliras' finest, and well, he was walking a slippery slope that held far from a good landing.

"Slow down, Miss Skellig. I do sense someone putting their horse before their cart." His smirk faded until just the softest wisp of it remained touching his lips. "You count your successes too early and I fear you'll end up with nothing. I don't believe that's what either of us would be terribly pleased with."

The former doctor's eyes were well trained. Abnormalities, discolorations, growths. They were all known to him. If there was one thing he knew as well as the maladies of the body, it was the skin of a woman. His eyes didn't need to move from her face for his peripherals to pick up the signs she offered so freely. If things progressed nicely, the squire was sure he'd be far from left wanting by the woman's gifts.

He felt silent as she began her rather long winded retort, speaking in half answers and fanciful speech. All of it, it amused Orion to no end. A man awed by her quick wit or a man less experienced than he may have been overwhelmed by her words, but Orion, he simply replied. "Non-answers and pretty speech," he remarked, eyes betraying him with the laughter that he kept from his lips. "Engaging in wordplay, you step into a dangerous and exotic arena, Hadyn. I do hope you don't misstep." His tongue slipped from his mouth for a moment, just long enough to moisten his lips before retreating slowly back into his mouth. "It's quite simple. You can tell your mind to stuff it and just act. It's how you came Mrs. Michaels, after all. I've not a regret in the world about it."

Her blushing only served to endear her further to the squire, though he wouldn't openly admit such. The longer the evening went on, the more she opened, the more she spoke, and the freer her words became. "Doth mine eyes deceive me? I pray that you don't become bashful now, Hadyn. You've been nothing but forward with me, and I might get the wrong impression that I'm actually having an effect on you. We wouldn't want that, now would we?"

"That's what I always try and tell them, but it usually just garners me another slap. Perhaps I need to keep you around a sanity check, just to make sure I'm not losing my mind." Grinning once again, any further speech was stopped the appearance of two mugs in front of him alone. Two quickly followed for her. "My dirtiest secrets? That's quite a risk. If I spill those you'll either take me right here in front of the world or I'll never see you again. I'm afraid there's never an in between." His gaze fell down to the mugs of rich amber liquid, and a grin jumped onto his face as an idea came to him.

"I've got it," he exclaimed, sliding his mug close to himself. "if you want to learn about me, why don't we make it a game? It's quite simple. Ask a question. If you don't want to answer, you drink. That way if we are both open, we'll remember this evening. If we aren't, well, we'll forget it all together after we down a couple of these. Nothing is off limits. And, since it's my idea," he said, trailing off. This could either work perfectly or fail entirely, and he couldn't be sure of which. Still, the plan was in motion. "You ask first." He grinned and gasped the handle of his drink, ready to play his little game, were she interested.

[Hadyn Skellig]

She liked a man that could keep up with her almost as much as she liked a man who challenged her. Orion was adept at both and as such had Hadyn praising her decision to stop into the tavern tonight. She let out a chuckle as he responded but kept silent for the most part. She didn't mind that he was aware of the effect he was having her on. In fact it declared him an observant individual - a necessary trait in this city. A blush may be perceived as demure by others but as far as Hadyn was concerned it was just another physiological response - hardly anything to be ashamed or abashed about. An eyebrow arched with curiosity over her right eye as he set the stage for their drinking game. This was either a wonderful idea or a terrible one. "I suppose to avoid taking you right here in front of the world I ought to keep the questions tame. For now." She mimicked his tone but spoke with a genuine smile. Brushing a strand of hair from her eyes and moistening her lips the blacksmith regarded him for a chime to ponder. "Your reputation precedes you as a ladykiller and I know the Knights keep you boys quite busy. But tell me, in your spare time not spent deflowering maidens or training with wooden swords what could I find you doing?"

[Orion Michaels]

"If you insist. I wouldn't have complained though. This table looks plenty sturdy." The squire sat back and waited for her question. He'd given her free reign to ask anything she wished. He wishes. His desires. His mistakes. How many women whose wrath he had earned. There were few topics that he wouldn't answer. Needless to say, Orion was shocked by what she asked, given just how big a target he'd placed for her. Perhaps it was just easing in, or maybe it was uncertainty about what to ask? Maybe she just really wanted to know. Still..

His lips pursed into a smirk as he let his gaze stay connected to hers, taking a few seconds before he acted. Saying nothing initially, he simply grabbed his mug and took a long, hard drink. The shyke burned like nothing he'd drank before. And it tasted like piss. This was their best? After taking a moment to ensure he didn't lose his composure, he licked his lips and set the mug down. "I'm disappointed," he teased. "Such a boring question. As my wife, you should know these things." He shook his head disapprovingly, eyes dancing with amusement. "Nope. Not answering that. My turn." He looked down at his mug, a question already in mind. Not a serious one at all, but one that would hopefully get the ball rolling for real. "Just so you know, I'm taking a drink here to mean an admission of guilt."

With a saucy tone to his voice, he leaned forward and inquired. "How many women have you been with?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

"My dear husband," she purred as he declined to answer via a large swig of alcohol. "You are making it far too easy to get you wrecked so I might have my way with you." A coy smile pulled the corners of her lips as she watched him finish and set the vessel down. She nodded at his explanation though her eyes remained captured on his face. His return question had the blacksmith narrowing her eyes and smiling once more with amusement. It was both ambiguous and comically pointed, his inquiry. As such she chose to play along, allowing him to take her response as literally as he pleased. "Enough," Hadyn replied with a grin, moistening her lips slowly. "How do you suppose I came to know so intimately of your reputation?" The woman paused for a moment resting a hand on the table and crossing her legs. Orion clearly had no problem jumping right into the meat of the issue, so to speak. Now that it was evident he was looking for more intriguing questions she considered her next query while observing him. He would make a superb warrior, physically at least. And he seemed to have the rapacious sexual appetite typical of the Sylirian Knights. Wouldn't be half bad for her to have a bedmate on the side of the law. "I dare not ask the number of gentlemen you've entertained," she began with a wicked grin, her fingers touching the base of the mug. "But tell me, in reference to all things carnal and lascivious, are you a man who takes action or one who simply enjoys the view?" She anticipated his answer with a simpering smile, the thick braid falling over one shoulder as she tilted her head slightly.