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

[Hadyn Skellig]

A lazy smile pulled at her lips, Ethan's internal conflict all but lost on her. An eyebrow rose when he commented on the floor but she closed her eyes and sighed. He was talking of food. Gods, a night of petching and he'd give her breakfast the next morning? What dream had she strayed into?

Untangling herself from his limbs the woman pulled the pillow closer in lieu of his body, resting her cheek against it. She was no stranger to the awkward morning after but this was surprisingly pleasant. She was entirely unabashed of her naked body before his eyes, not bothering to pull the sheet to cover her lower back and buttocks. Not like he didn't get an eyefull last night.

The implications of their coupling hadn't quite reached her as she lay there snoozing in Ethan's bed. Truthfully it didn't bother her as much as it did him. Her brothers weren't here. And she was an adult. Whatever over protective dribble Brody and Ioan might toss around they knew well enough not to tell her what - or who - to do. Sure Brody would probably be livid and rail Ethan for petching his baby sister. Sure Ioan could easily break his hand over Ethan's face and spit all manner horrid oaths. But they were elsewhere and Hadyn was entirely in control of her actions.

Shifting her head to turn and look at the hearth the brunette yawned delicately. Usually these things ended with one party slipping out, clothes haphazardly thrown on mumbling promises to call on the other later. Or, in the worst case, fleeing with the bloke's shirt hanging to her knees as he called after offering a ring and his home. That was horrible. She shuddered at the memory, the visiting hunter effectively haunting her steps for the season after begging for another dinner, another petch and a family. Didn't seem Ethan was like that at all. But the invitation for breakfast was new.

Hadyn did not have a phobia of commitment. As far as she saw it she wasn't afraid of committing. She just didn't want to. No one had struck her fancy enough to beyond the casual petch and drink at the bar. The idea of belonging to another irritated her and she effectively shunned and scoffed the romantic ideals of her contemporaries. She knew she'd been burned before and wasn't willing to go through the drama and bull shyke to relive it. If she were honest with herself she was terrified of being abandoned and hurt. Terrified of vulnerability - captive to the whims of a man's fickle emotion. But she hadn't been honest with anyone (herself included) about that in a long time and she wasn't about to start now.

Stretching her feet, toes peeking out from the edge of the sheet the weaponsmith waited patiently for Ethan to return. A quick breakfast and she'd be off. It was dangerous to linger and chit chat. They'd drank, petched and that was that. Rolling to her side, the thin cover draped over her hip the brunette ran a hand through bed-tousled waves trying to wake herself fully.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan gave one more squeeze to Hadyn’s backside for good measure, the one thing he knew was once you had a hold of it, don’t give it up without good reason. As Hadyn rolled to the side and Ethan got up from the bed, pins and needles ran down Ethan’s arm and his right foot. Ethan had been slept on it wrong and as he stood naked in the fire light, he looked down on the floor with wiry amusement. Shirts, pants, and undergarments were thrown madly about and Ethan didn’t want to give Hadyn a show of looking through them. So he went over to the dresser, put out a drawer and put on some undergarments, along with a loose pair of pants. Ethan poured part of the water pitcher in the wash basin and quickly scrubbed off some of the sweat and smell with a rag. Leaving the water for Hadyn, he moved over to the hearth. Putting a few spilt logs on the fire, Ethan allowed the wood to be greedily consumed by the coals. Ethan pulled out a bucket and began shoveling the ash into it, as he fed the fire wood. Once done, Ethan placed the ash pail off to the side and went to the table that held his Philtering book. Pulling out a clean knife, Ethan chopped up potatoes, carrots, and parsey. The thing about cooking a stew, was to make sure that what you took out you put back in. As the fire, started to go the apartment began to have more light and Ethan went ahead to light two candles to bring up the room in full illumination. As he was chopping the vegetables Ethan looked over to Hadyn, in the full light of the room. If at all possible the bed-tousled hair seemed to hide her face softly, but it only seemed to accent her body. Ethan was careful to make sure that when sneaking a peak at Hadyn he didn’t cut off a finger. Ethan after the vegetables were cut, he went about the room picking up clothes here and there, sorting them into two piles. Granted Ethan would have loved to see Hadyn bend and pick up all her clothing, but in truth he had time while the stew heated up. Taking the dirty bowl and a clean one Ethan ladled the chicken stew with pork chunks into the bowls. He got out a few spoons and cups to set up the free table and allow them both to sit. The gallon pitcher of water was placed on the table and Ethan made sure that the dirty flatware and bowl was place for him. Picking up Hadyn’s clothes pile he went over to the bed and placed them down near her feet. Smiling, Ethan playfully slap Hadyn’s backside. Just a very light tap, and spoke, “Though I would luv to stay 'ere all day and look at that marvelous backside… even may do a few 'ther things. We probabl' both have work to do, and y'might want to change y'clothing before going in.” Ethan smiled when she looked at him and sat down at the table. He ripped small chunks of beard into the stew as he sat down to eat. The stew helped clear his head, and the water cleared his throat.

[Hadyn Skellig]

She watched him move about the room, lost in her own thoughts. The more awake she became the more she realized awkward this situation could be if either of them were ashamed or otherwise displeased with their bed partner. But as he went about his business it was clear he didn't seem particularly bothered that he'd just petched his friend's sister.

Rolling her eyes when he reminded her there was a world beyond the bed Hadyn pushed the sheets away and sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. He was, unfortunately, correct. She'd gone to work in the clothes from the day before and received all manner of shyke from the boys (though she was quick to dole out equally biting remarks when any of them did the same).

She flashed an appreciative smile at the bundle of clothes he left for her before standing and walking to wash basin. Washing her face and behind her neck she let a few droplets of water run down her naked back before casting a smoldering glance over her shoulder at Ethan. It dissipated into a playful smirk as she finished washing up and returned to the bed to retrieve her clothing.

Pulling on the slim trousers, she slid the thin blouse over her head, neither bothering to lace the ties nor cover the transparent material with the black vest. Joining him at the table she flopped down and poured herself a glass of water, the hem of the shirt slipping down her shoulder. Drawing a leg up to place her foot on the chair as well the woman regarded him over the rim of the glass.

"Y'make breakfast for all your overnight guests?" a sly grin was barely hidden as she took another sip before setting the glass down. Picking up the spoon she selected a few vegetables and chunks of meat, the smell absolutely intoxicating after a night of drinking. She wasn't nearly as hungover as she expected herself to be, though the dull ache began pressing at the base of her skull. Tasting the stew, she closed her eyes in pleasure, savoring the taste as her tongue slipped out to remove liquid from her lips.

"Delicious," she remarked as her eyes opened to look at him. "Y'ought to have your own inn. You can call it the Petch 'n Breakfast." Hadyn smiled before taking another pull from the bowl. This was exactly what she needed to start the day, dragging herself from his home back to her hole in the wall to change for the day. She didn't have to be at the forge until later in the day but he was right. It was better to get on with their day. If he hadn't offered food she would've been gone by now.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan did his best to say busy, though looking at Hadyn’s back as she washed made a delight, his eyes focused on the drops of water softly caressing her body as it tumbled down it. As Hadyn sat down Ethan’s eyes roamed the exposed flesh. It was strange, only moments before she had been nude and though Ethan appreciated her body, once she covered it up, he hungered for the sight once again. The small rise of flesh, the sweat that glistened on her body, Ethan could remember these things, but wanted to experience them once again. Ethan smiled at Hadyn remark, “I make breakfast for the one’s I wan’ to come back.” Looking at Hadyn’s leg and thinking about grabbing her, putting her down on the table and experience her again, made Ethan focus on the bread on the table and pass it to her. “It’s ‘tew hard to petch it up. ‘Sides it’s the only meal I know how t’make. ‘Course when I open such a place, will start to worry ‘bout repeat customers.” Ethan let his feelings come out as laid back as he could. Was Hadyn interested in seeing him again? After all it was a real good petching they shared, but if she didn’t want to he understood and wouldn’t say anything against her. The only thing he wanted to know, should this be a one time deal, and if so was she going to talk to Brody. Ethan got up from the table, and placed his dirty bowl and spoon off to the side. The ceramic bowls and cups would have to be washed tonight when he got back from the Ironworks. Ethan awaited Hadyn answer as he put the uncooked vegetables and herbs into the pot.

OOCI think I am done for the day. I will reply to the other thread, but whew… my brain is done. If you want you can finish out this thread and submit it.

[Hadyn Skellig]

"Y'keep makin' this particular kind o' stew an' you'll certainly see my face again," she replied with a simpering tone as she finished off her bowl. It was evident he was, with polite words, asking if there were seconds to be had. Hadyn saw no problem returning to his bed as long as he didn't become too attached. A smile lit her features as she stood and collected her dishes.

"Well then, Ironhorse," placing the dishes with his she turned to face him. "'Haps next time we'll meet at the Casket, since y'fancy it so much. An' just maybe we'll end up at my place an' I'll make you breakfast."

She cast him a wink before turning to gather the rest of her clothes. Slipping the dark vest on she cinched the ties loosely and wrapped the belt around her waist. After it was snug and secure she pulled her boots on, unconcerned that they were mostly unlaced. Once dressed the brunette faced Ethan with a lopsided grin, pulling her hair together with a piece of twine and fashioning an unkempt bun out of the locks.

"It's been a great pleasure," she drawled as she approached him, placing a quick chaste kiss on his lips before stepping away, walking backward as she spoke, grin on her lips. "Thanks for the night an' the food. Don't be a stranger, hm?"

With that Hadyn pulled the door to his apartment open, flashing a quick smiling before disappearing into the street, the door shutting carefully on creaking hinges.

[Perplexity]

Riddled with Rewards!

Hadyn

Observation	+3XP
Rhetoric	+2 XP
Socialization	+3 XP
Interrogation	+2 XP
Persuasion	+1 XP
Storytelling	+1 XP
Acting	+1 XP
Musical Instrument: Drum	+1 XP
Seduction	+2 XP

Lores :

• Life As A Drunken Spinster
  
• In Search of Relaxation
  
• Catching Up With Ethan
  
• Fond Memories. Fonder Times.
  
• Acting: Putting On A Face
  
• The Morning After, In Ethan’s Arms

Ethan

Observation	+3XP
Stealth	+1 XP
Rhetoric	+2 XP
Socialization	+3 XP
Philosophy	+1 XP
Massage	+1 XP
Interrogation	+2 XP
Storytelling	+1 XP
Seduction	+2 XP

Lores :

• Wanderlust: Dreaming of More
  
• Catching Up With Hadyn
  
• Philosophy: Avoiding The Foot In the Mouth
  
• Storytelling: Kate And Loran
  
• Seduction: Seeing Obvious Desire
  
• The Morning After, With Hadyn In Mind…

Notes :

An interesting road for the two characters to walk. Never an easy one but an interesting one nonetheless. Well done.

Mr. Ethan, I could not grant you points in “Singing” because the songs you sung, although altered to fit the Mizaharian setting, were not your own. Unfortunately experience points in singing can only be granted for entirely original compositions.