RP:No Games
Summary: A few steps back.
Glorious Arena
A crowd of cheering and screaming spectators almost reaches the roof of this dome-topped structure. Some are seated, but most are up on their feet, stamping their feet and shouting out jeers and pumping their fists as several brawlers below in caged ring fight to the death against themselves, and possibly beasts that have been taken captive for such a glorious arena such as this. Severely injured combatants are carted off by healers that appear every once and a while, along with badly dismembered corpses. The stench of blood, gore and sweat is almost unbearable in this place, but it doesn’t seem to bother anyone inside. The adrenaline rush of the fight seems to be all that’s being focused on. In the centre of the arena, a massive statue of gold and white marble stands. This must have been a great and noble Avian warrior to be worthy of such idolatry.
Eloni let slip a soft sigh as she leaned against the lower wall, just before the arena grounds. The request had come from the city leaders to attend as a kind of guard. In case any of the spectacles that fought for the entertainment of the mob tried to flee into the crowd. Her wings slowly swayed in mild boredom, arms crossed over her chest as a finger rhythmically tapped away at her armor clad arm. She donned her full suit of armor, per the request go be ready in case it all went bad. Her helm rested on the ground by her foot, she didn't need to wear the stuffy thing until she had to. A flicker for amusement flashed as two combatants who had been at it for some time finally showed a winner. She had lost a bet with herself. With a louder sigh she let a hand fall to her hip, there rested three one foot rods of titanium. Pulling one free she started to twirl it spinning it easily in her armored hand. The other falling to rest on the hilt of the bastard sword strapped to her left hip.
Irenic catches Eloni in view and glances about at the spectators around them to determine the easiest route towards her. The only good thing about his curse is that in the daytime he doesn't have to mind his wings and no accidently brushing against someone. In her distracted boredom he was able to quietly ease in next to her and catch her second sigh, which he shares the same secret lost bet with her, “Ouais. Ce gars ne semble jamais gagner.” She might hear at first, but given her adept understanding of this language, from an Avian unbeknownst to him, she would understand it as, “Yeah. That ass hole never seems to win.” Once she would set her gaze on him she would find that he is dressed in a simple black tee shirt and black slacks. The temperatures were rising lately and going around in a button up and V-necked sweaters were going to prove too hot. “I see the city is giving you ‘busy work’, yeah?” If this small distraction for her is allowed he would linger that mismatched gaze in giving her a once over adorned by her get up and a hint of a smirk on scarred lips erupts. She looked slightly out of place, but not at the same time and it was now that he understood her squares struggle to apply such a sight to stone.
Eloni snapped the titanium bar she was holding at him, he would be able to see one end of the odd item came to a rather vicious point. Snapping from her bored haze and actually registering who's standing before her, a deep blush takes to her cheeks as she silently slides the bar back home next to the others. Clearing her throat loudly she sighed and nodded to herself desperately trying to change the subject. "they ask me and a few others to watch the matches and make sure none of the excited combatants make it into the stands." But they never have. Any who started are usually felled by the archers that are set up like the knights. She sometimes wishes she was better with a bow. "Are you here for the blood sport then?" Looking back to him and slowly letting her eyes drink the sight of him in. Such a refreshing drink that is.
Irenic appeared unphased by her almost assault of him. Looking from the bar to her with the subtle tilt of his head and that arrogant little smirk of his, “jumpy.” He turns his head to the bloodbath happening within the arena and this would allow Eloni to see her pristine little white feather tucked safely on his ear, “yeah, just spectating. Unless you want to watch me fight down there?” A quirk of his brow as his smirk widens while glancing at her from the side of his good eye. Turning himself toward the show he places his hands upon the railing before them which possibly puts the hand closest to her a little farther over on her side. Sort of a test to see if she’s allowed to speak to him in public as this would clue him in on whether or not she’s entirely available.
Eloni gave a soft sigh as he didn't press the issue of her threatening him, letting the issue drop for now, but he may like a look at her little toys later. The rods actually being titanium javelins with a compression spell placed on them that can be released allowing them to extend to full size before launch. She was quite fond of them. Catching sight of her plucked feather she couldn't help but chuckle, "please tell me your not using my feather as a quill." She moved to lean against the banister. One hand sliding along the railing to brush lightly against his. She was given a level of freedom while working, so long as she afforded attention in some small part to the safety of the Colosseum goers. "Wishing to woo the fare maiden with your combat ability hmm?" Her voice pitched in the best royal uptight tone she could manage. Her wings opened slowly and started to preen just a little for him, and if he looked close he would be able to see an ivory stream among her snowy white feathers. She had used the feather she plucked from him and had added it among her own.
Irenic did indeed catch the sight of his own feather which added a bit more to his grin. It’s amazing how just a slight smile from those scarred lips makes him seem bounds less threatening. His expression usually bored or brooding and lonely, “not at all. When my wings finally vanished I was left with one feather that didn’t belong among a heap of ivory ones. Ironic…” a mild chuckle escapes him. “It reminded me a little of our time and I knew I had to keep it, but there was nowhere for me to put it since my wings vanished.” While standing there she may notice some passerbys giving Irenic a judgmental look. They assume he had his wings ripped from him as punishment and while they aren’t far off, it’s not exactly true, but he ignores them for he couldn’t care less what other’s thought of him. She never did get the chance to give him a proper thrashing the last time they met, “I think it is you that wants to do the fighting, no?” Again a sideways glance at her with that chilling silver eye. “So, do you get a break from this or are you expected to remain vigilant until the match concludes.” Yeah his gaze was sort of wandering up and down her form before watching the match without any sort of enthusiasm.
Eloni could see how others may see the scared smile as a look of terror, she actually found it quite endearing. A scar like that would keep most anyone from smiling as they wouldn't want to bring attention to it. But as he still smiled, and smiled for her, she felt her blush creeping back up and was forced to feign interest in the matches. The more intense one already finished she was about to tell him she was free, but she felt his eyes on her and she couldn't help herself. Bending at the waist she leaned more on the railing, her wings pulling back slightly to afford him a full view of the shimmering titanium armor that clung perfectly to her curves. "I hope that if we play, you'll not take it easy on me. I’ll see it as a personal insult." Pouting softly she ever so slowly arched her back, pretending to stretch as she continues her little show. She heard the whisper, fighting the urge to spin on them and bury a mailed fist in her face, but she ignored them. Wondering why she enjoyed his attention this much.
Irenic actually didn’t linger much longer after his initial assessment of her, but he could nearly feel her putting in more effort as he watches the match a little bit. He raises his own hands up to lace his fingers together and rest behind his head, but doing so raised the black cotton short sleeved tee shirt and exposed the area where his abdomen muscles ripple a prominent V shape in his torso which disappears into the lining of his slacks. Whether he did this on purpose or not is undetectable because just as that happened he heard tittering giggles from a couple of the local college and university students. He cooly slips his hands into his pockets and glances over at them to see them blushing, whispering and flirting a wave his way. An uncomfortable smirk was given and a nod of acknowledgment sent them swooning and moving on with their day, but not before glancing to Eloni. Maybe they recognized her.
Eloni didn't miss the opportunity to steal a peek at the man as he stretched. His muscles were so well toned she wondered how long it took him to achieve that level of definition. Reminding herself to look away she gives her head a sudden shake around the time the giggling started. She was about to snap an angry stare at the girls, but she recognized them and gave a week kind of nod before her wing snaps out to block Irenic’s view of them. "They are good girls. Work your wiles on others if you don't mind. Her wing lowers as she turns to face him, her wings still up to shield the couple from any prying eyes. "Do try to rein yourself in a little, master pigeon." She offers a playful smile as she gives a swift yet soft kiss to his cheek. Her wings drop as she started to walk along the perimeter of the ring. Heading off to a more secluded area for a break. "Maybe I enjoyed our little slap fight. Maybe if we do it again I won't be wearing a dress. You have no idea the handicap there." She knew he would follow, or at least hoped greatly he would.
Irenic’s grin widens at her as he wonders if she just got jealous and how he thought it was kind of cute how angry she seemed to get at first. He didn't do it on purpose, but it was sort of funny, “oh. They are way too young for me in the first place, honestly.” He sort of chastised her, but was caught off guard when she snuck a peck on his cheek which turned his grin back down to a mischievous smirk, “I think you'd be in trouble if your employer saw that, young lady.” For the briefest of moments he wondered how old she is and sort of hoped he didn't just insult her. “Alright… I'll try,” to rein himself that is, but she’s walking away and he gives it a few beats before he follows as he doesn't want to look too eager for one and for two he doesn't want to draw attention. He spoke normally and at a normal tone for he knows she can still hear him with the way Avian hearing goes, “ah… leading me to my doom already? Do be gentle.”
Eloni had not missed the little jab, they were too young for him but he's clearly perusing her. At least she hoped he was. Thus calling her older. Very taboo for most women. Luckily as she was an avian and Indeed ageless, she didn't care about age in the least. But she won't tell him that. She was leading him down to a lesser used area, a place where the guards go to break, but before she got to the area she slipped behind a large pillar and waited for him to start to walk by, as he did she reached out and grabbed him roughly by the collar from the shadows and pulled him in with ease. He would spin around before slamming his back hard into a wall. A hand to his neck and another gripping his side she used her own body to pin him against the slightly shadowed pillar. Her nose near brushing against his as her face slid so close. "All the doom... master pigeon." Her hand at his neck would squeeze softly, as she nipped his ear playfully. Then as fast as she had set upon him she released him. Taking a very small step back but keeping the two in the shadows. She enjoyed having him to herself. "So you have this old avian in the shadows, alone and ever so frightened. How will the great beast treat her?" Oh how she seemed to be enjoying this little game. Judged solely by the wide grin that parts her full lips.
Irenic stayed calm in her grasp as his own hands clasped about her small waist and pulls her against him, but easily let her go once she pulled back. He would have guffawed at her as it seemed a comment like that wouldn't have bothered her, but it obviously has. The stifled guffaw comes out as more of a scoff, “young meaning immature. I've had enough of using those in my day… being that I'm over a hundred and forty.” He doesn't seem to care about his age since there was no hiding it for it shows in the stubble growing at the sides of his head and the crowd feet at his temples. Wondering why she suspects something major would have happened once he got her alone as he doesn't really move that fast, but his habit returns his fist into the pocket of his pants while he continued to lean against the pillar that are hiding behind. “I actually wanted to check in with you and see how you've been since I gave you that message.” He didn't want to ask her such a question about this sensitive topic in front of other people. “And if you'd allow me to take you out again sometime.”
Eloni felt like she knew him well enough, that's why she didn't expect her playful teasingly to be returned. Though him gripping her waist and holding her, even for the briefest of moments didn't make her want to blush. She liked being held by him, though she will not tell him so. His admission of out growing the pawing of the younger generations did make her smile, just slightly. "Looking for more mature fare I see? Does it seem I fall in the category of the bold youth pining for you?" Her age was closer to his, though a few decades his junior. Left arm dropping to rest lazily on the hilt of her sword while the other came to rest on her hip. Leaning back on the pillar for a bit of support, her feet hurt from standing for so long. Half the reason she had ducked them into this secluded nook, the other half being she actually greatly enjoyed the private conversations they have. "But yes, I would happily have dinner with you, maybe this time it won't be interrupted by a ghost from our past. I was left mildly hungry from our last evening rondevu." Her slight smile growing just a little as she inched forward just a bit closer to him.
Irenic let his mismatched gaze travel down her and then back up to her face as he answers her question, “not actively looking and no, or at least, I hope not.” His grin stayed present, “you see. It's too easy to just get what you really want out of someone. Isn't it?” A subtle shrug, “without knowing them and then onto the next. I've done it so many times and then got bored to move onto the next challenge.” He pushes softly off the pillar behind him and slowly inches his way towards her, gaze penetrating her own while he continued his point, “but I have yet to have someone haunt my mind, consume my thoughts, pique my interests, or arouse a desire in me which never ceases to be snuffed out by someone else's wind. Too often than not I've been weighed, measured and then pinned up against someone else to compete for a person's affections.” By this time his clothes are barely touching the cool titanium of her armor while his head was craned down to stare down at her, “but I will not ever partake in such a childish game of who can piss the furthest.” Their noses touch just slightly before he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.
Eloni tries to hold firm against his advance and his words. She does not pull back allowing the soft press against her but as he neared her cheeks grew a shade darker but she still didn't blink, until he kissed her cheek. Eyes widening slowly she started to stammer. "T-That's too bad, th-the feeling is good... nice, nice." Did she really just say good! Taking a deep breath an attempt is made to calm herself before fully falling into a stupor because of him. "I never understood the need for girls to do that." Her voice once again under her command. "Unable to choose from the men, or just loving the whorish attention it brings. If an agreement of sharing can't be reached a choice must be made. A woman knows what she wants." Eyes of molten gold start to slowly devour his form. Flashing a smile she reached out and gave a soft, playful punch to his stomach. Nothing much more than a love tap but her smile grew all the more with it.
Irenic easily snared her wrist in his hand and grasped the other for good measure to trap them above her head, pinning them against the cool marble of the pillar. “Yeah?” Mismatched eyes travel along her facial features slowly, drinking in her face. Her reactions. It was his lie detector. “Do you know what you want?” Their noses nearly touching again, “is there something or *someone* you cannot do without.” He watches her carefully, but is wise enough to make it seem as if he's just lost in her beauty.
Eloni gave a little out as he gripped her wrist but before she knew what was happening he had her other arm. A soft gasp given as he pinned her so quickly against the pillar. Her wings slowly spread along the marble column, opening and preening greatly as she let her eyes fall, cheeks growing a deep crimson. It was not the first time he had pinned her, why was it affecting her so. His questions made her bite softly on her plump lower lip. There was no point in lying to him. "T-there is more than one thing I want... I'm greedy sometimes. " His second question brought her eyes to his as she seemed to not want to answer that. "Yes... I have a woman I hold close to my heart. But... something else has been starting to grow there..." wings slowly close around Irenic giving him a soft hug as she offers no fight to his pin. "Feelings for a stubborn bastard of a man... I think." She lets her eyes slowly drop, feeling ashamed she was only bringing up Brennia now.
Irenic let his grin falter now as his expression slowly hardened and he actually looked quite tired while he let her go. “Meet me at the tavern in a week, only once you've figured out what you want.” He gently caressed down the top of her wing to allow him out of her embrace. He pulled a case up to his mouth to pull a cigarette free and strikes a match in order to light it. After taking a long drag and sending the smoke billowing away from her, “I should let you get back to your work here.” A motion to the arena after he stows the case back into his pocket and turns his back on her to leave.
Eloni held her arms up above her head even after he had slipped away from her. The wing he caressed moving out of his way on its own as she could just watch him in confusion. Arms drop weekly to her side as she felt utterly hopeless. She loved Brennia dearly, but she was starting to feel a love for the man she watched walk away. Fear was plucking at her, fear of having to lose one of them. For all her talk of greed, she was very greedy in that moment. Wanting to slide down the pillar, curl up and pout, but she couldn't. Watching until he vanished she would reluctantly turn back to the arena, desperately needing time to progress all that had just happened.