Flashback [Orion Michaels] A Stranger Among Many

[Edreina]

"Nice view." Edreina blushed at the comment, but did not mind it too greatly. Something about the openness between the two excited the young Svefra. She hated having to beat about the bush. Blunt and straightforward were more along her mast. As she ran, Edreina found herself staring at her feet or peeking over her shoulder at Orion, flashing him a challenging look or sticking out her tongue, as if mocking her assured victory. Slowly, a gentle sheen of sweat broke out across his forehead. Upon seeing it, Edreina blushed brightly as it triggered a wondering at how his entire body would look, like that, pressed firmly against her own... Oh dear Laviku... A sensation bloomed in Edreina's nethers that made it a bit difficult to run properly in the few seconds it took for her to banish it. With a sigh, she found herself glancing over her shoulder once more, this time with a look through her lashes. There was something oddly enticing about a man doing masculine things to Edreina, even if that masculine thing was letting an ungainly Svefra win a footrace. "Turn right!" Oh! Trying to win this late in the game? Ha! Nice try. Edreina sped up just slightly, turning down the left corridor. She was a fair ways down when she looked over her shoulder again to see that Orion had, in fact, taken the right corridor, disappearing from her view. Petch! Edreina attempted to stop but only ended up sliding down onto her rump with a bump and a huff. Blushing furiously, Edreina spun on one foot and hand so that she could push up and off of the ground into a clumsy run for a few paces until she regained her balance. Returning to the fork, Edreina could see that Orion had not yet reached the well, as if he had slowed to a crawl in order to give her a chance to meet him and pass him. Grinning widely, she made every effort to catch up before he managed to reach the well first.

[Orion Michaels]

And just like that the redhead actually turned left. "You think me a liar, Miss Whitewave?" He turned to walk backwards down the correct path, watching the woman confidently take the left corridor alone. Silly woman.. He'd slowed down so much to give her the victory, and there she was, falling onto her rear. Those Svefra and their sea legs. "I couldn't possibly go any slower," he shouted at her, taking delayed step after delayed step. "Get up off that irresistible rear and get to that well. I repeat, you don't want me to win." Orion grinned as Edreina righted herself, a look of embarrassment briefly brushing her freckled cheeks. As she approached closer and closer, a look of joy and excitement gracing her attractive features, Orion turned to put in a little more effort to their race. She was awkward and somewhat amusing to watch run, but she was also plodding along full speed at him, and while he wanted the redhead to win, he didn't want to get run over in the process. He pressed himself forward, putting foot to stone, and burst out into the open area around the well, Edreina right on his heels. It was always a serene area, a place where people came to beg the spirit of the well, or whatever that ghostly visage was, for something, anything, whatever the beautiful woman was willing to offer. Sometimes it was something wonderful she would gift, but other times, it was rumored things would only get worse by tossing a coin and seeking her aid. That was the risk of those gambling rather than doing. There was no time for him to think on it, though, as a flash of red flew by him. He'd slowed down more as he entered the locale, and it seemed the Svefra woman had taken full advantage of his distraction. Unless she stopped, he wouldn't be able to beat her now, and victory she could claim.

[Edreina]

Edreina rushed past Orion - grinning fiercely - but quickly found herself going too fast for her own feet. Tipping, tripping, falling! Oh petch... In the most ungraceful way, Edreina tumbled onto the pavers, long legs tangling around one another as she fell on her side, arms coming up automatically to protect her face. When her motion finally ended, she was a bit scraped up about the elbows and bruised on the knees, but mostly intact... Except for her pride. Blue eyes wide with horror and face flushing to the color of an apple, Edreina avoided looking at Orion who was - surely - laughing at her. In her avoidance, she noticed that a small, stone well was only a foot or so away from her head. Slowly, she raised an arm - ouch! - and placed a single finger against its brick surface. Still absolutely flushed, Edreina sat up and looked at her friend, hiding half of her face behind her hair as she offered and impish smile and a shrug. "Well... becoming a human harpoon is one way to win..." She hoped that her wit could save any affection that he had held for her after that blunder. Deep down, she figured that he now saw her as too much of an immature klutz to find attractive, but perhaps their friendship could be salvaged. Looking back up at him, she - still blushing - smiled brightly, trying to ignore the stinging in her elbows and knees. "Svefra aren't really... made for land..." The pain was not, actually, too bad. Edreina had encountered the ground more than a fair number of times in her 18 - nearly 19 - years, especially during her even more ungainly preteen and early teenage years. She had not tripped in almost a year; she had begun to think that she had finally grown into her limbs. Apparently not... On land, at least.

[Orion Michaels]

Orion saw it happening before it did. She was unbalanced. It wasn't the first time he'd dealt with minor scrap injuries from someone who got a little overzealous in any sort of physical activity. No, it was far from it, in fact. He could only watch in a moment of shock as Edreina went head over heels, and not in the way he'd expected. Orion quickly picked up his pace, sprinting over to the mildly injured woman, kneeling beside her. It was instinct at this point. He hated it. No matter how much he denied it, his upbringing would come through. He wouldn't laugh at her. He wouldn't be a saint either. He would make sure he was okay. Chef Orion Michaels could never escape Doctor Orion Michaels. She attempted to make light of the situation, and it did force a smile to crack Orion's otherwise serious expression. "That's one way to go about it, though you had me beat easily. No need to test out if you were flightworthy. Svefra are meant for the sea, anyways." Instincts took over at this point, as he slid over beside her and gently grabbed her forearm, moving it slightly so he could get a better look at her injury. "Are you okay. How bad does it hurt? And do you think you can stand?" He ran a hand along her arm, making sure there weren't any serious injuries or breaks, taking care around her elbows which had impressively taken the brunt of the fall. Yet, as though he realized just what he was doing, he turned away, his face almost turning the color of his Svefra companion's fiery locks. "I-I'm so sorry. It was instincts. I..." He shook his head, taking a deep breath. It wasn't embarassment from touching her. No, not at all. That was something he'd wanted since he'd first lain eyes on her, with perfect blue gazes meeting in a busy tavern. It was how he acted, without even asking. "I-I was something of a physician in a past life. Call it habit." This interesting woman would probably think him a creep now. No way she'd want anything to do with him. You blew it, Orion..Guess you won't be seeing that boat after all... "Ahaha...erm...I guess you won, Miss Whitewave. I can only assume your prize is to get the touchy feely cook away from you, huh?" He smirked, letting out a chuckle at his self depreciating humor. Was fun while it lasted.

[Edreina]

"Are you okay. How bad does it hurt? And do you think you can stand?" Edreina's eyes widened into nearly perfect orbs as the Sylirian began to care for her, gentle hands moving over her arm, inspecting it with the caring grace of a physician. To Edreina it was... oddly endearing. Among Svefra, you were not supposed to muse over such minor injuries for long. To see him caring for her so earnestly warmed Edreina's heart. But, all of a sudden, he was spinning away so that he was no longer facing her, from the back of his neck, she could tell that he was blushing. Quickly, she covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Was he embarrassed by his caring instinct? Perhaps he wanted her to see him as only a romantic savant with ever-so-piercing blue eyes. "I-I'm so sorry. It was instincts. I...I-I was something of a physician in a past life. Call it habit." That is just positively... adorable. Grinning widely now, Edreina watched as the flirt became unsure of himself for the first time, pulling her knees up under herself so that she was perched oddly, toes pointing out behind her as her rear rested upon her heels. A physician turned cook? I wonder why he changed his path... "Ahaha...erm...I guess you won, Miss Whitewave. I can only assume your prize is to get the touchy feely cook away from you, huh?" Smiling wryly, despite the fact that he could not see, Edreina spoke in the most serious voice she could muster, "Oh yes. You and your caring ways disgust me. The only prize I could imagine right now is you leaving right this instant." Unable to stop herself, Edreina leaned forward and planted a light kiss upon the still-red back of his neck, leaning back into her prior resting position. Grinning now, head tilted. "In all seriousness, though, I still need to make my wish! And my prize will be..." She paused, pursing her lips and looking up. "My prize will be you showing me exactly what you meant by fun." She waited until he turned around to wink at him, unable to banish a smile. Until you fell on your arse... Eyes widening with the realization that, though she had not lost any iota of attraction for the doctor/chef, he may still be able to see her only as a half-idiot patient. In a small, slightly unsure voice, she tacked on, "If you still want to..."

[Orion Michaels]

"I'm glad you agree. I'm simply a monster. I'll be on my - aahhhh." The Svefra woman silenced him. Cool lips softly caressed the back of his burning neck, forcing a quiet exhale from the cook's mouth. This woman had taken the moment of weakness he'd shown and turned the tables on him completely. A slight show of embarrassment, a sign of being more than a flirtatious worker. Mistakenly admitting humanity. His instinct was to run and just separate himself from the situation, just like he always did when things turned south. Yet soft pink lips meeting his nape brought him back and alleviated his fear, if for the time being. Onward her thoughts went, tarrying not on the events just transpired. It was time to select her prize for the gift win he'd placed before her. He turned back to her, quite surprised as she made her suggestion. W-Wait...really? It had to be the last thing Orion could have expected. She wasn't quite so shy and innocent as he'd initially thought. This much was apparent the more they exchanged this evening. She met his eyes with a wink, one which sent him turning red once again. Oh to have control again, and she was kind enough to oblige, speaking with uncertainty. "I didn't set any stipulations, did I? If you want to have fun with Mr. Orion Michaels, I don't have any reason...or desire..to stop you." He managed a half grin, pushing himself back to his feet. Blue eyes fell onto the well while he slowly circled over to the side opposite of her. "Tell me, Miss Whitewave. Do you believe wishes come true? If I pulled a gold out and tossed it down this well, would my deepest desires come true?" He leaned on the edge of the well, peering over it at the red haired woman. "Or do you think it could take me out on a boat for a night on the Suvan Sea? That one sounds a bit more realistic." He shook his head, chuckling softly to himself. He sounded absurd. Completely thrown off by showing a little kindness. This was the man he'd become. Now he was getting all deep like he was mysterious and cool, when he knew he was far from it. "This place served it's purpose. Unless you want me to ramble on more and more, why don't we take our leave? It's your turn to lead now, anyways, Miss Whitewave." He took a few steps around the well, looking down at her and offering his hand to help her stand. "So lead on. I'll follow this beautiful, graceful runner to the ends of the world."

[Edreina]

"Tell me, Miss Whitewave. Do you believe wishes come true? If I pulled a gold out and tossed it down this well, would my deepest desires come true?" As Orion stood and partially circled her, eyes on the well, Edreina pondered the thought, nose scrunching a little as she frowned at it. "No... I don't suppose it would. Why would you have to pay to have a wish come true? Voicing your wish to a well simply affirms that is your desire, and strengthens your resolve to see it done..." The murmured opinion was simple, but had the ringing of truth within Edreina. Those who wished and simply hoped that their wish would come true seldom saw it done. Those who worked ardently towards the goal, however, were more likely to see success. A man may come here each night, wishing for riches, tossing coin down the well, but he will never see it. A woman may come here each day, wishing for love, but will never see it. As the man tossed away his wealth and the woman sat alone in her home, waiting for her wished love to find her, their efforts were spent trying to get fate to do things for them, instead of doing things for themselves. "Or do you think it could take me out on a boat for a night on the Suvan Sea? That one sounds a bit more realistic." Edreina smiled up at her friend, nodding gently to affirm his assertion. In an instant, she saw a change overtake him, as if the emotions that had led him to ponder the wishing well and to stoop down to care for a clumsy Svefra were being tucked neatly behind a wall. Despite how she did not entirely like the detached, in the moment Orion, it was better this way. She could not have some land-dweller developing feelings above friendship and lust for her... "This place served it's purpose. Unless you want me to ramble on more and more, why don't we take our leave? It's your turn to lead now, anyways, Miss Whitewave. So lead on. I'll follow this beautiful, graceful runner to the ends of the world." "How about just to the docks?" Edreina could not help but laugh as she took Orion's hand and allowed him to help her stand and steadied her as her knees protested their use. Graceful must have a different meaning than I thought it did... She smiled wryly at her own joke, taking a moment to attempt to orient herself. The stone walls were still unfamiliar, cold and uninviting to the Svefra. As she stood, she felt a familiar, pulling sensation deep within her soul, automatically telling her which direction was the sea. "You'll correct me if I lead us awry, yes? I'd hate to end up lost and lose our night to these corridors..." Smiling, Edreina looped her arm through Orion's, carefully avoiding her sore, raw elbow. Looking over her shoulder briefly as they walked, Edreina chanced a last glance at the well, closing her eyes for a moment and thinking her wish: I wish to never live without adventure... Turning back to the path ahead, she smiled gently in the curious anticipation of what might be to come.They set off at a nice pace together, chatting and flirting openly as they made their way through Syliras, Orion correcting her gently whenever she was about to take a wrong turn - despite how it may have seemed like the right way when considering a direct line to the docks. "How old are you, Orion? You have one of those faces that could be any age..." This was the deepest question she had dared ask, not wanting to delve into his personal life too deeply. Silently, however, she had been considering the little details of himself and how they haphazardly pieced together to create a general idea of who he was.

[Orion Michaels]

He didn't entirely agree with what she said, but he could appreciate the thought behind it. People made wishes instead of acting. People made wishes instead of taking control of their lives. A coin in a well was a waste, even if the ghostly woman truly existed. Poor people throwing a gold down into a well, praying that something outside would intervene. When really, they needed to grasp onto it themselves, or so Orion believed. It was easy for him to wear rose colored glasses when he thought of it, though. He'd been fed with a silver spoon, after all. "I didn't mean to make you frown. I quite enjoy the goofy grinning face you give while running. Let's get back to that, at least somewhat." He returned to grinning himself as he pulled her up. He was quite agreeable to her decision. The docks would get them to the salty waters of the Suvan Sea, the domain of her people. The Sea would get them to a boat, and the boat would..well, he didn't rightly know where this evening was heading. The more worrisome thought that was rapidly invading his thoughts was this one: He'd never been on a boat. Even once. He could barely swim, just enough to keep afloat. If she'd thought her land legs were something out of a comedy routine, she hadn't seen anything yet. He would put on a show that would sell out admission for years to come. "Not that a private corridor sounds all that terrible to me," he teased as she linked his arm with his. "But I suppose it is your turn to decide, so to the docks it is. Worry not, I won't lead you astray." Their conversation was pleasant. Flirty, never too serious, just how it was supposed to be, when she asked a peculiar question. It was not an offensive one, in fact, quite the opposite, but he knew it was nothing more than a safe personal question. "I'm twenty two my dear. About to turn an ancient twenty three in..three days. Isn't that crazy? I think I'll be spending it back at the Stallion cooking. Exciting, right?" He never did much for birthdays. It was just another day as far as he was concerned, but he knew there were some who really into it. As far as the Svefra, well, he couldn't be sure. "Why do you ask? Trying to make sure I'm not ancient? Or are older men your thing? I mean, I'm not here to judge you. Just interested in a lovely lady's tastes, that's all." He gently nudged the Svefra woman, looking at her from the corner of his eye with a mischievous expression. "And just to make sure, you're not like twelve or something. I may be an old creep..." He paused as the first real strong sent of sea water caught him. Sometimes it was overpowering, but not today. Perhaps it was due to travelling with a woman of the water. It was...refreshing. "Maybe I shouldn't leave it at that, huh?" He let out a chuckle as he listened to how ridiculous he sounded. "Not too far out. I'm sure you could tell that, though."

[Edreina]

"I'm twenty two my dear. About to turn an ancient twenty three in..three days. Isn't that crazy? I think I'll be spending it back at the Stallion cooking. Exciting, right?" Twenty-two.. not too bad. Edreina looked him over out the corner of her eye, quickly becoming enamored with the thin black stubble that shaded his strong jaw. "It sounds horribly dull. Maybe I'll swing by if I'm still here..." She offered this with a smile despite the fact that she did not really plan on staying in Syliras for too long unless there was some great deal of fun left to be had, some adventure to commence. But, the idea of spending more time with Orion appealed to Edreina... He entertained her. "Why do you ask? Trying to make sure I'm not ancient? Or are older men your thing? I mean, I'm not here to judge you. Just interested in a lovely lady's tastes, that's all." Biting her lip, Edreina looked him over once again, thoughtful. "I'm not really sure what my thing is... But... I'm kind of liking the old man thing." She winked and bumped him back, exaggerating the sway of her hips ever so slightly more so that her hip would gently brush his every other step. "And just to make sure, you're not like twelve or something. I may be an old creep..." "I'm eighteen..." Edreina feigned an indignant attitude, sniffing delicately and turning to look up and away. Grinning and elbowing him lightly in the ribs - ow... - Edreina stuck out her tongue. "I know how one would think that, though. What, with my horribly childish body." She slowed one pace so that her hip brushed against his again but agonizingly slow, this time. Looking up at him through her eyelashes, she had to fight the urge to see if kissing his lips was any better than the back of his neck. The two paused in unison, struck by the salty scent of the ocean. Edreina closed her eyes and let it wash over her, cleansing away all the stagnation she had felt clinging to her after spending an entire day within Syliras. After a deep breath, Edreina grinned and slid her hand down to Orion's, catching hold of it lightly. Before she knew it, she was towing him out onto the docks - as if led by instinct - at a quick clip. At the sight of her ship, Edreina nearly began to vibrate with joyful exuberance. Stopping, finally, at the Goldengrotto, Edreina released Orion and motioned grandly to her ship. "Mister Michaels, allow me to introduce you to the Goldengrotto." Grinning still, Edreina leapt down onto the deck. All at once, her posture changed, becoming more sure and confident. Her feet seemed to be sure of their position and bearing. Smile softening slightly, she offered a hand to Orion. "Let me help you... Wouldn't want you to stumble and fall." She winked wryly, waiting for him to decide upon gallantry or safety.

[Orion Michaels]

"Oh, I don't doubt you will," he replied, matter of factly. "I'm a difficult one to forget, I know, I know." He turned to look at freckled face of his companion. "Though...I thought your sort were bound to the sea? Can't imagine you'd want to stick around too much longer, even just to see little ol' me." The children of Laviku, he'd heard them called. Each and every one of them marked by him, blessed by him, and guided by him. At least that's what he was told, or rather, overheard during his time working at The Rearing Stallion. They rarely came to land but to offer passage across the Suvan or trade and supply. They also irritated patrons in the Stallion but that was nether here nor there. She bumped him with her hip, then elbowed him a short while later, right in the ribs. "Jeeze, woman. Practically beating me up at every turn," he spoke with faked annoyance, as though the little playful jabs from her were actually doing anything. "I ought to t-" Silenced. Completely silenced. Her hip had brushed against him again and again. She was getting..better? Maybe that wasn't the word. But this time, it was straight up tantalizing. Slow, seductive, breathtaking. He almost, no, he did want to take her right her and taste those lips which had earlier stolen a taste from him. "Ch-childish? That's absurd." Again, he blushed, looking away, if just for a moment. He couldn't resist looking back. Thankfully, any chance of it turning into an awkward moment was squashed with the wonderful salty smell which caressed both their senses. Orion turned blue eyes on Edriena, smiling, but before he could speak, she had his hand in hers and was dragging him off towards the boats. While the slick piers were nothing to her, Orion was sure he was going to meet a fate much like her and the well. Feet nearly slid out from underneath him several times as she dragged him towards what she introduced as the Goldengrotto. She jumped into it like it was nothing. Orion's legs, on the other hand, froze in place. Like petch he was jumping down. "Oooh boy. Gimme a second here." He wasn't going to be able to keep his balance on his own, so there was no sense in sacrificing his life for a little pride. Slender fingers wrapped around her hand as he took a step to join her on the deck. Naturally, his other foot slid on a particularly slippery part of the stone pier, sending him crashing down on top of the Svefra woman.