Completed [Rearing Stallion] Like a Fish to Water {Ethan}

[Hadyn Skellig]

Ethan's reaction was equally surprising to Hadyn, the gentle though decidedly definitive touch of his arm around her waist and the delicate manner with which he tucked a loose strand behind her ear. It was all very charming - sweet even. But the return kiss illustrated his well restrained passion that intrigued the weaponsmith.

Hadyn was used to affirmative oftentimes declarative action when it came to men. Indeed she preferred a straight forward approach and Ethan's response to her kiss was about as declarative as it could get without petching on the stage. Admittedly this was the first time she'd ever found herself with an audience. But the brunette smiled into his kiss, pressing her body none-too-subtly against his. Though it wasn't a bawdy display of lust it certainly made her point.

In retrospect she'd likely reproach herself for such actions. What would Brody say? Or Liam? But in that moment with Ethan it was exactly as it should've been. Though she could do without the crowd, which encouraged further lasciviousness from the pair. Untangling herself from him she pulled back to catch his gaze, a grin on her lips and a twinkle in her eye.

"A kiss like that'll earn you 'nother drink, Ironhorse."

Hadyn didn't think too hard on the meaning behind it. A kiss was a kiss. They were attracted to each other - nothing more to consider. She didn't let herself take it beyond the carnal desire for his lips and body. Sure, he was a friend of Brody's. Sure they hadn't seen each other in numberless seasons. But for their kiss to mean anything more to Hadyn - well she just couldn't. She didn't know how.

A smile was offered to Ethan as she took a step back, still remaining comfortably close to him so as not to give him the impression she was abashed or insulted. Brushing that errant strand of hair back behind her ear she tossed the snickering crowd a wink and a charming grin.

"Eh y'lass," the brunette waved over the chesty girl from earlier, leaning forward to speak over the resumed din. "A shot o' whiskey for the man, hm?"

The barmaid departed with a nod as Hadyn stood up straight, turning to address the fiddler who'd come to join them. The crowd had settled into an easy cacophony of general chitchat and bar talk, no longer entertained by the trio on the stage. All the better. Hadyn felt horribly claustrophobic with all those eyes on her - though pride would never let her admit it.

"Not bad keepin' up with us Donal, y'rascal," the woman quipped with a gentle pat to the fiddler's shoulder. "Y'even got Ethan jumpin' around a bit."

A comfortable smile sat easily on her face. These were her people. With a glance to her handsome companion the weaponsmith adopted a relaxed visage. Ethan was the type of man she might've imagined one day settling down with for the long haul. The type of man who knew what he wanted in the world and worked hard to get it. The type of man any woman in Syliras would be lucky to call hers. The days of such idle thoughts passed Hadyn though she felt their fleeting touches when she caught his smile or a sidelong glance. Indeed she couldn't deny fantasizing as a girl about loving a man like Ethan. And here she was - standing with him. Kissing him. And she couldn't remember how to feel the way she had as a girl. A shadow crossed her face as Donal spoke, her thoughts so preoccupied she missed his statement entirely.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

As Ethan felt Hadyn pull into his body, his own reaction to the woman in his arms began to expand and press against his thigh. Still Ethan gave it his all in the kiss, before Hadyn pulled away, and then the sound of cheering, laughing, and many creative yet disgusting suggestions came to his ears. In a moment of intense insanity and drunken passion filled inspiration Ethan licked his lips, still feeling and tasting Hadyn’s mouth. He opened his eyes and felt her body pressed against his and wanted to ask if she wanted to leave the tavern. Instead, she told him that he earned another drink. As she untangled herself from him, Ethan watched her with soft eyes and wanting to continue that feeling of being held. Ethan turned to the crowd, he bowed allowing everyone to have a good laugh at his expense. Hadyn’s behavior, was… odd, she had liked the kiss, otherwise her reaction wouldn’t have been nearly as well received. Yet she was acting almost as if he would have an easier time with the barmaid. He expected flirting after a kiss like that, in some cases, even a hand hold till they got back to her room. Ethan didn’t really understand women that well, but in most cases they preferred their own places instead of the males to perform nightly exercise. What had happened to that confident woman in the shop today? One that flirted and played at being saucy? Now it was like she was trying to cool the mood down? “Aye, Donvil, y’play the strings good! Wish m’voice carried a tune ‘alf as well.” Ethan took a moment to stare at Hadyn’s neck, resisting the urge to kiss it. “Well as a couple, the two of you could clean out every alehouse from here to Riverfall.” Ethan laughed at Donvil’s joke. “’Haps Donvil, ‘haps.” Ethan, placed his hand about her waist again. He didn’t give a care about whether they were on stage or not, Ethan’s male mind felt like the arm laid claim to Hadyn at least for tonight. In truth, Ethan couldn’t have articulated the feeling to Hadyn if he had been sober, but holding her in a relaxed and warm position was fulfilling. When Hadyn gave him a sidelong glance, he caught the darkness in her eyes and wondered what she was thinking about. Softly, he used his arm to squeeze her for reassurance. “’Haps, Haddie, when the maid brings m’drink, we drink wha’ we have and go for a walk.” It held no promises, even though Ethan’s own need for bare flesh and tenderness of another human being screamed at him. Hadyn, needed to sort something out, and drinking wasn’t helping her thoughts.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn shifted her weight to the other foot as Ethan draped an arm around her, moving her body closer to his. Despite wishing they were no longer on stage she remained smiling, enjoying the feeling of his warmth against her. As the barmaid returned with his drink the brunette reached for it and handed the girl payment. Standing straight Hadyn took a long pull from the mug before handing over to Ethan as Donal took his leave. Turning to look at her companion the woman canted her head in response to his suggestion.

"Anythin' that'll get us off this damn stage." She smiled and captured his hand giving it a squeeze before leading the way back to the crowd. Returning to find their seats taken Hadyn diverted her path toward the exit. Turning to glance at Ethan over her shoulder to make sure he was following the woman grinned.

"Better chug tha' drink, mate," she called over the bedlam. A mischievous wink was cast his way as she wound around the crowd, determined to make it to the exit unhindered. Moving confidently through the other patrons the brunette offered the occasional nod and smile to familiar places, every now and again checking to make sure Ethan was in tow. She was impressed by his persistence and was happy to oblige his efforts. By the time they made it to the door the woman had a light sheen of sweat across her brow but the smile was still happily settled on her lips as she waited for Ethan.

OOCSorry for the shyke post

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan pulled on the drink of whiskey. The stuff was young and the acid bitter taste of wood and harshness of alcohol pulled flame down his gullet. Ethan was beginning to feel light headed from the drink. Was… No, Hadyn didn’t have stage fright did she? But when he looked down at his hand and hers, he smiled feeling the strength in her hands. He squeezed back as she led him off the stage. Ethan kept his eyes wisely glued to a very nice asset of Hadyn’s, as he walked around the tavern. When Hadyn turned around to ask him to chug the drink, Ethan’s own stomach turned a little sour at the thought. Yet the man in him, muscled up to the task and drank the whiskey down. After the first initial acid taste, the alcohol merely settled to a burning mess as it washed down his throat. As Ethan finished, he stuck out his tongue for a moment to air out the taste. “Petch!” he said softly. If he was going to pursue Hadyn, he was going to have to get an rot gut stomach and quickly. Seeing Hadyn look back, Ethan began following her, he tried to pinch or tickle her as he got close. After all, this was a chase between two people, and though Ethan was never quite sure if he was the hunter and the woman was the prey, he believed in having fun during it. When he finally caught up with her at the door, he opened it for her like a gentleman, but with a wicked smiled. As soon as the two were out of the Tavern, Ethan embraced Hadyn about the waist and picked her up. He felt almost giddy with the alcohol, as well as, strong as an ox. He twirled her about for a moment laughing, and then he slowed down looking at those lips. “I finally caught you…” He went in and gave her a deep kiss, holding her in his arms as if she weigh nothing more than a paperweight. Slowly, Ethan stopped kissing Hadyn, “Hmmmmm, though the bitter ale on y’lips is a bit refreshin’, I must admit I find their fullness and softness much more to m’likin’! I wonder what else, I could find to m’likin’.” Ethan released one of his hands to tickle Hadyn’s sides while holding her up with his other hand.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn released a wry laugh as he lifted her up, hands reflexively placed on his shoulders to maintain stability. When he pulled her down for a kiss she returned his enthusiasm, tongue flicking out to catch stray flecks of whiskey. She smirked at his comment and twisted slightly away from his tickling fingers.

"You're quite t'wolf." Placing a hand at the back of his neck she pulled him close as if to kiss him but instead went to murmur in his ear. "But you'll have to try a little harder than that, Ironhorse." She leaned back to catch his eyes with a playful albeit it challenging gaze. "Can't go twirlin' me 'round like that an' expect me to drop my knickers."

Hadyn offered him a serious expression, as if to embolden her point. But it slowly melted into stifled laughter, her attempted ruse at playing hard to get failing pathetically. Moving closer to him with weaponsmith kissed his lips once more, enjoying his taste and closeness of his body, the scent of alcohol thick.

"Well then Ethan," her smiling lips brushed against his ear as she spoke, tone lustful. "You seem drunk 'nough for the both of us. Shall I carry y'home?"

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ah another kiss, Ethan was ready for it, but Hadyn leaned instead to his ear to whisper a bit of a challenge to tell him. He took the moment to smell Hadyn’s body; Sweat, Iron, alcholol, and a bit of sweetness to it. As she pulled away from and told him that the twirling hadn’t excited her, Ethan cocked his eyebrow watching her face. As she broke down into laughter, he laughed as well and they embraced again kissing. Ethan couldn’t help himself as his hands wandered below her hip and firmly held and squeezed her backside. When the broke their kiss once more Hadyn seemed to make a joke about carry him home, squeezing and lifting her backside so that if she wanted she could wrap her legs around his waist, a drunken inspired plan came to his thick head. “Well, it tis a’bit foggy. I had this plan, to take y’home and massage every bit of y’back and legs. Heck, m’ght have done y’feet as well, and then ‘ttempt to make m’ya feel good on the ‘nside. ‘f course, if have to be carried, can’t do all that as well.” Ethan smiled as he gentle kissed Hadyn neck and shoulder. “’f course, the feeling of puttin’ you over m’shoulder and takin’ a bite or two from this,” Ethan patted Hadyn’s backside, “makes m’think you be wantin’ the carry home!” Ethan laughed and went back to kissing her neck and the skin slightly below it. He didn’t want to stop nor did he want to continue till they were much more in private, so he took the kisses of her flesh to fuel his spirit and body into taking this woman home, and making sure her body tingled for bells to come.

OOCNo such thing as a shyte post.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Her body aided by his willing hands pushed against Ethan's body, feeling the strength in his muscles and the lust in his touch. Her own vision was clouded with the sweet haze of intoxication, the familiarity of his features and the red hot pulse beating through her veins encouraging a lopsided grin. He was speaking but she was far too concentrated on his lips than the words they were producing.

"Ethan, love, y'do whate'er y'gotta do," Hadyn drawled, her voice smoky with desire. Dark eyes moved from from his mouth to his eyes, smile widening as she pressed closer to him. In truth her mind was already made up. She didn't much care whose home they went to, just that they got there in a timely manner. She was that self-assured unabashed woman again, any trace of hesitance or timidity lost. Finding his hand, she wound her fingers through his, a certain grip maintained. She wasn't too drunk that she couldn't manage her way home unassisted but she liked the feeling of her hand in his. It felt right.

Tilting her face to his, watching the moonlight play on his features the weaponsmith smiled again. She knew it was the alcohol but she felt perfectly happy - a feeling somewhat alien to her of late. But she relished it, savoring his closeness and the warm emotion spreading through her as she stared at him.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan looked down at Haddie, feeling her body and his pressed together, Ethan wasn’t overly clear on what she said, what he was clear on was that he had a beautiful woman in his arms and he would be taking her to his room, because he didn’t petching know where Haddie’s room was. Ethan felt Hadyn’s fingers intertwine with his and smiling he gave it the lightest of squeeze’s, trying to say to her, I have you know. As Ethan and Hadyn walked to his room, there was kissing and playful touching. Stopping at his door, they embraced and kissed for a long time. Opening the door, Ethan knew that whatever happened, he wanted it to last forever. So as they crossed the threshold, Ethan gave into his gentle and delicate impulses, but made sure to feed the animal ones as well… … .. . Ethan slowly came awake, he felt the warm flesh of another naked body pressed against his. His arms were around the woman’s ribcage slowly going down so that his hand rested on her belly and thigh holding her back to the front of his body. For a moment, the feeling of satisfaction and being loved filled him. The side of his face rested gently against the woman’s neck, as if was looking over her shoulder. The only thing that would have made this moment better was for the pounding headache to dissipate. He had drunk too much, and was starting to realize that he was thirsty too. By the Gods and Goddess’s, I will never drink again. For several chimes, Ethan kept himself still trying to remember who his companion was. I remember going to the Rearing Stallion with Hadyn and flirtting with her, I remember drinking and thinking it was a good time to sing. Uggghhh, I sang in front of the tavern, he was never going to hear the end of it at the Ironworks. I remember Hadyn sitting in front of me as I sang the Farmer Girl. Wait Hadyn? Ethan opened his eyes and softly moved his head looking down at the woman in his arms. Eyes began to grow wide as he saw that it was indeed Hadyn’s face by the pale light coming from the hearth. All the feelings of companionship and satisfaction went away, and all he could think of was, Brody is going to kill me… Ethan apartment was nothing more than the standard Syliras room. However, in an attempt to make it more liveable, he had purchased an additional table to place odd and ends. Currently, his mortal and pestle and the copy philtering recipes was on it, as well as, dirty dishes. By the soft light that was being given off from the hearth, Ethan saw that the decent wood arm chair he used for reading was covered in one of his shirts and a pair of pants that was way too small for him to fit in. The cupboard next to the hearth was opened and someone undergarments hung from it. Looking over to the dress at the foot of the bed, Ethan could at least tell that the jug of water and wash basin was still upright. He had the vague sense that they had used the dresser for something other than putting clothes in it. The smell of the never ending stew began to make Ethan hungry. He had just recently made a chicken base stew and had purchase a little bit of ham chunks to throw it in. He was going to have to get up soon, if his bladder had anything to say about it. Softly Ethan kissed Hadyn’s shoulder and then her ear. He was sure that the movement on the mattress might have woken her up as well. What did one say to a childhood friend that after a night of drinking had petched each other’s brains out. The only thing, he could think of sounded stupid, but he whispered it in her ear anyway. “Mornin’."

[Hadyn Skellig]

Morning dawned with languorous grace, the dull light of a hearth warming her face with golden hues. Heavy lids flexed as the light increased slowly, awaking her with careful encouragement. It wasn't until the mattress shifted that she was pulled gently from the arms of sleep. Warm lips caressed her skin before departing, her nose scrunching with disapproval. She turned, still under the guise of slumber, reaching for her companion. His velvety greeting was returned with a less coherent throaty mumble of mornin'.

Pushing herself closer, the woman nuzzled her face against his collarbone and neck, her legs twining around him to prevent further movement. In her limited consciousness she could only discern that he was warm and the world beyond the bed was cold. Her lips sought his skin, kissing it slowly as she tried to remain asleep. But it was for naught.

Memories were lazy to filter into her tenuously conscious mind. The Stallion. Music. Booze. Lots of booze. Unsurprising. Ethan had been there. The fiddler, Donal. Dear gods, did she sleep with that idiot? No, certainly not. Her brow furrowed as she tried to remember without opening her eyes. There were lips touching, hands searching and bells worth of petching. As his face became clearer in her mind the woman's mouth opened, his name on her lips. Ethan.

Brody was going to kill him...

Against her wishes, brown eyes opened the unfamiliar yet familiar sight of a man's naked chest beneath her cheek giving her pause. Tilting her head up her morning laden gaze found the man in question. Ethan. Well that was a long time coming. She offered him a hazy smile as her hand smoothed across his torso, ignoring the thick locks of hair already invading her vision.

"Your bed's much comfier than mine," she murmured with a grin. Her voice was tired and gravely from sleeping and overuse the night before. There was no embarrassment in her visage, instead she displayed only pleasure to see his face, her foot running gently against his leg.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan felt Hadyn’s warm smooth body turn in his arms, as she mumbled a less ladylike greeting. Then again his own mouth felt like the Knighthood had marched through. He really needed to go to the privy and get a cup of water into him. Still Ethan held Hadyn's naked form in his arms, a light blanket covering the two of them. Ethan’s own hands stroking Hadyn’s skin lightly as she woke up. Staring up ceiling, Ethan wondered what would Hadyn’s reaction be? They had been attracted to one another, and Ethan had always wanted to know what it would be like with Hadyn. In the end, his imagination wasn’t even capable of the petching they had shared. At times intense, at other times gentle, in some cases the only way Ethan and Hadyn had been able to continue was because of their endurance at the forge. By Nikali! Ethan was going to have to check the bed to see if any of the wood was cracked. Ethan felt Hadyn’s head tilt upward and with a haze glaze in her eye, she murmured something with a sly grin. Ethan felt his own grin come to his face and he felt his body relax, You done good! Was a thought that went through his mind. The foot rubbing on the side of his leg began to pull a reaction from his body, a stirring for more of the sexy creature in his grasp came forward. Ethan was tired and sore, after a day of moving steel bars and a night… an amazing night with Hadyn, he wasn’t sure where the energy was coming from. Say something you idiot, don’t just keep looking in her eyes like some love sick puppy. “Well, with someone like you, I think ‘ven the floor would be comfortable.” What was that? Ethan really needed to be think clearer in the mornings. Sure, he could go into the forge and start working right now, but asking him to come up with something witty was just out of the question. “Have a decent ‘tew in the hearth, just need t’add some logs and we c’n have breakfast.” A girl is in your arms and you say that? It was a saying that Brody constantly ribbed him about, and of course holding Brody’s sister in his arm’s he didn’t want to think about Hadyn’s bigger older brother. Ethan had wanted this for years, and now that he had it all he could think of was Hadyn’s family. Brody would have beaten Ethan within an inch of his life. Liam… all Ethan could think of was Liam disapproving gaze. Why couldn’t Ethan think that maybe they would approve of this? He could be good to Hadyn, provide her with a life and family. He was Brody’s friend and Liam was as much his emotional older brother as Hadyn’s. Still the feeling of guilt began to build, had he done this just to try and see if he could? No, he had always like Hadyn… it’s just he wouldn’t betray Brody. But Brody wasn’t here, so its ok to betray him even though he is gone? He could marry her… waking every day in the morning looking down to see a beautiful woman in his arms. Having kids… granted he probably should get to know her more before settling on the whole marriage thing, but if this was what awoke to every morning, then he certainly could live with it.