RP:On The Prowl
Summary: Larz takes Lanara to work with him to show her the duties of a Gualon Guard. After his patrol, the two go for a drink, and Lana earns unwanted attention from a suspect vampire. A bar fight ensues, the two have a bit of a spat, and then confess that they just may be more than friends.
Larz’s Shanty
The studio apartment is simple, you enter right into the kitchen, there is a closet to your immediate right and the small kitchen to the left, all hardwood floors kept surprisingly clean. The walls could use a paint job and the blinds on the one large window are dark and kept closed. It seems to have a clean odor which is a pleasant reprieve from the odd smells that apartment halls seem to have, you know, where it smells like someone’s cooking and everyone’s perfume or cigarette smoke all at once. In the living area seems to be one large couch which actually pulls out into a bed for the occupant and a bookshelf. On the back of the door are three sturdy hooks, one for a bow and it’s quiver of arrows, one for his leather holster which has his twin axes and dagger, the last for his patrolman jacket.
Lanara walks down the long hall that leads to Larz’s apartment, her steps hesitant, and her cheeks a bright crimson. She didn’t want to see him this morning, not so soon after, well, after last night’s risque encounter. The elf often forgot herself when she was in his arms, looking into those eyes, and feeling the heat of his kisses. This whole thing was moving too fast for her taste, and she was in her leotard, no less, as she was teaching him some dance moves! It started out so innocent, but then led to something neither of them were ready to pursue at this stage in the game. What would he think of her, today? She had left suddenly, before she lowered her resolve and allowed him to take things a little further, a little more closer to towing that edge of flirty friends to no turning back. He probably was fuming that she denied him again, though it was getting all that much harder to resist the orc. The top layer of her chestnut locks has been pinned away from her face, and secured with a pearl clip at the back of her head, while the bottom layer of her hair remains free, falling in loose waves to the middle of her back. A hint of make-up accentuates her fair face, and a small black leather purse dangles from her left shoulder. She clears her throat, wondering if he’d even be home, as she lifts her hand to gently rap on the door. Today, she’s wearing skin-tight, navy, rough cotton leggings, (hollow’s equivalent to jeggings, you’re the badass at naming clothes! lol) and a flowing canary yellow blouse, that hangs just off her slender shoulder blades. Tan, knee-high soft leather boots, cover the lower portion of her long legs, and she’s wearing gold hoop earrings. The look is romantic, yet bohemian, and certainly feminine. Had she dressed pretty for Larz? Or was she planning on going out later in the evening? Lana knew it was his poker night with the guys, and that’s why she arrives at his door bright and early, waiting for him to let her inside to retrieve her pentacle. She had left it behind, and hoped that it was still dangling from the mirror in his washroom. She was rather fond of the pendant. “Larz? Are you home? I, um, forgot something yesterday…”
Largakh couldn't get Lanara out of his mind, everything reminds him of her: ‘would she also find this funny?’ , ‘does she have a favorite flower?’ , ‘that smells like her.’ He thought trying to forget her back when he only had a crush was difficult enough, but now he wonders if she's thinking about him as much as she crosses his mind. He actually got a new bed that pulls down from the wall, it's more comfortable and never had a woman in it. The sofa now sits under the only window of his place and the amethyst rock on his bookshelf. He had gotten back from some errands and stared at the books on that shelf, trying to pick one to read, but it was hard to focus. Then a knock on the door and he practically sprinted towards it and swung it open in the middle of her sentence. It was instant how he smiled down at her, closed the distance between them, bent down to kiss her softly on the lips like a ‘hello’. The kiss doesn't last very long and he takes her by the hand to invite her in, “what did you forget?” He asks curiously while walking over to the new pull down bed and pushing it back up. Once she retreats to the washroom to retrieve what she left he calls out, “so… I don't know what you had planned today, but I picked up a shift at work and was about to go out for a patrol. Card night got moved. Would you want to tag along?” For once he felt maybe he was being clingy asking her to hang out after they had a date and two days they had dance lessons, now he's asking her to be bored at his work, “it may get boring so I understand if you had something better planned to do.” His gaze lingers on her, the outfit, her hair, the make up and his grin softens on her. He doesn't known if the effort was for him, but she knows she doesn't need it and he finds it adorable that she does. “You look enchanting as always… Listen to me, you'd think I was other some spell.” He gently jokes while reaching for his soft leather Gualon jacket. “Should I bribe you with more kissing, backrubs and snuggles?” He asks while slipping the jacket on and a wink.
Lanara is shocked as he opens the door mid-sentence, though she manages to complete her line, and tilts her chin up so that he can greet her with a kiss. “Hey you…” Standing on her toes, she wraps her arms around him for a brief hug, and accepts his hand as she’s led into the apartment. It was hard to remain in the chaos of her mind when he looked so genuinely happy to see her, and her smile reaches her tapered ears. The goofy grin slightly falters as she takes in the new arrangement of the room, and she takes in the new placement of the sofa, as well as the brand new bed. It could easily fit two bodies, and she wonders if he has purchased it in hopes that they would soon be ‘breaking’ it in. As if on cue, she glances near the kitchenette area, where things got a little heated yesterday. That was a close call. The heat in her eyes is almost as intense as the flush upon her cheeks and she drops his hand, needing space. Internally, she’s cursing herself for stopping by so quickly after such an intense make-out session. On her way towards the washroom she spies the amethyst stone in the center shelf of his bookcase, as though the precious gem was on display. Somehow, it felt right to rest there, at least until bedtime, then it would be put to good use. As he asks her what she had forgotten, she calls over her shoulder, as she enters the washroom. “Oh! Before we were, uh, dancing? I took off my necklace. I didn’t want it to get snagged on anything, and a good witch never leaves home without her pentacle!” Thankfully, the corded rope is still hanging from the corner of the mirror, and she plucks it off, before undoing the clasp and fixing it around her neck. It rests about three inches below her throat, and she takes a quick peek in the looking glass to fix any unruly hairs. Exiting the room, she’s fully prepared to leave, so that he can head to work, or go and purchase ale for him and the guys later that night. Larz, however, seems to have plans of his own, and when he asks if she has any plans, she tilts her head. “I was going to meet up with some friends later… But I could always reschedule, or meet them later than planned. We were just going to grab some drinks, as I thought you had your poker night and after the last one… I, uh, planned on steering clear of this place.” She giggles, nervously, though as he asks her if she wants to head to work with him, she quirks a brow. “Really? Are you sure you won’t get into any trouble, or anything?” She knows that he’s a city guard, and that his job involved controlling some of the lowlifes in the area, so that Gualon would remain a safe place, at least during the daylight hours. “Ohhhhh. I see what you’re doing here. You can’t handle the bad guys by yourself, huh? You need back up. That’s how it is? Well... “ A dramatic sigh and roll of her eyes, before she slips her arm through his and they head for the door. “I guess I can teach you how to do your job, Lard. After all… Never send a man to do a woman’s work, and all?” She’s teasing of course, and he’ll be able to tell from the grin she wears. The promise of kisses, cuddles, and back rubs, is noted. He’d pay in full, later.
Largakh shrugs as her question on if its allowed because its a common experience they offer, but he jokes with her, “they will make an exception for my Llama.” Just like she is to him, she's the exception to his own rules. He nods, agreeing with her, “yes. I need you to protect me.” Easily draping his arm around her shoulders as they start to walk out, but he overthinks it when they get out into the open and people are giving then dirty looks… “Is this okay with you? Since you don't want your sister knowing anything yet? And... “ he glances to a pair of women and they are gossiping about, ‘is she with him?! Doesn't she know he's an abomination?’ If she said it wasn't okay he would remove his arm, still as happy as could be just to be near her, it was even easier to ignore those insults in the distance. He really couldn't care less now, not with her around and it was quite a tame night of Larz questioning perps, restraining drunks into a warm cozy cell for the night and walking the streets all the while he's stealing glances and making cute flirtatious comments when no one was near to hear… Until there's shouting in the distance and Larz takes Lana by the hand to run over. It appears there's a gang fight taking place and he gently pushed Lana behind coverage, yes he knows she can kick some add, but he would always try to protect her first. He gets into the fray, took a punch to the jaw, got one or two guys knocked out while another two restrained. All silently and swiftly like that one damn fly you just can't seem to swat.
Lanara exits the apartment complex, and she looks at Larz as he asks if he she was okay with his arm being around her shoulders. She looks up at him, somewhat startled. “I… Don’t understand? What’s the big deal?” It felt natural to the elf, and she always was one to crave affection, though her gaze follows his to a pair of women that just can’t stop gawking and whispering to each other. Clearly, they were talking about the two of them, and Lana wears what is now the ghost of a smile. He’s babbling about her sister being upset over the fact that she still thought that she was with Eirik, and she was in public now with another man. That causes her to roll her eyes. Taly would be thrilled if rumors were circulating that she was being unfaithful to the infamous witch killer. Little did Talyara know, but Lana had broken things off with him a month ago, but she was keeping up appearances, to cover up the engagement and all the rest, at least for another week until their match in Craughmoyle. That would have been her only concern, but as one woman loudly states that the man at her side is an ‘abomination’ she slips from his hold and wanders over to the old biddies. “Hey… I’m Lana. Some say I’m a sweetheart, but others say I’m a little crazy. You just never know what I’ll do next…” As she’s speaking, she leans in real close to the loud mouth of the group, her eyes narrowing on the shocked gossiper. “The way I see it… You can keep slapping your gums, and awaken my vengeful side, maybe earn you and your friends a nice hex… And my boot up your tight ass. -Or- you can shut your mouth and mind your own business. Do you understand?” The woman looks to her two friends, as though thinking Lana was just kidding around, and it’s then, without warning, that the elf reaches out and grabs the woman by the throat. “Listen to me when I talk. Look at me.” Her hand clenches tighter, until she gets the desired effect and the woman obeys. “Good girl. You and your two friends look the other way whenever that man walks past, be it with me, or any other woman. Keep your mouths shut. I have eyes and ears all over this realm! -YOU- are the real abomination.” She lowers her hand, the woman reaching up to rub her sore throat, and Lana sees the small nicks her nails have made in the woman’s flesh, though she didn’t draw much blood. As fast as it had began, it’s over, the elf calms down, and returns to her date, with a smile on her face. “Hey! I’m excited to see what it is you do all day when you’re not dreaming about me. And I don’t care if anyone sees us together, I mean…If Taly catches wind of anything I’ll say we’re friends, or were just kidding around. It’s only another week then I don’t care if she or anyone else knows we went on a few dates.” The pair spend the rest of the day together, and before she knew it, it was night, and Larz had already dealt with a couple of drunks and did some interrogations. His shift is nearly over, and naturally that’s when danger strikes, and she finds that she’s pushed behind a sign post, as the orc knocks out two men, and restrains the other two. It was impressive, and she surprisingly stayed where he had placed her, as she didn’t want to interfere with his job. Larz was in shape, and she finds her gaze trailing over his form as he throws punches, kicks, and restrains the unruly men. As he returns to her she lifts her hand to his jaw, to inspect the area that had been punched. “Aw… Are you okay?” Without thinking, she pulls herself up and kisses the area, as though willing the pain to lessen. “What was all that about?” She asks, referring to the scuffle he had just broken up.
Largakh watches her intimidate from a distance and an impressed grin. Once she comes back over his arm takes its place around her shoulders again, “I may have to put you in hand restraints for that.” He jokes, but he mentioned, “I'm flattered you care to stand up to the prejudice and I admire your spunk. I usually let the small minded speak their senseless notions because I pity their intelligence level.” As they walked on he noticed other lingering glances on Lanara from men, but is something he fully expected with a pretty woman like her. After getting the thugs under control, during which other guards came to help, Largakh handed off a bag to a fellow employee, “I found this on him, that one over there has a large pouch of gold.” His jaw tenses, finally making his way back to Lanara’s hiding spot and grinned when she kissed his cheek after bending to her will, “yeah I'm good, I can thank ‘dad’ for the high pain threshold of orcs.” He glances back to the men being escorted to the jails, “rival gangs over a sour illegal substance deal.” A scoff, “scum.” That wildfire in his eyes extinguished while looking down at her and his fingers snare her chin once more and the world almost falls away again. What heck, he was joking when he thought she was intoxicating and, “... addictive.” Instead of kissing her inappropriately smooching her on the streets he takes her under his arm again, “I ruined your girls night, let me make it up to you by buying to a drink at the tavern?” His tone hopeful, as if she could say no at any moment and laugh in his face like ‘haha stupid orc! As if! SEE YOU NEVER!’ It's happened before and this is the first time they are close like this out in public. If she agrees he would escort her to the Tavern and pull out a barstool for her at the bar, “order whatever you want.” He waves down the barkeep, orders her drink and an ale for himself.
Lanara had laughed when he threatened to restrain her, though her cheeks turned a rosy hue, and they had remained that way for the duration of the day. It was nice seeing him perform his daily duties, and she watches him speak to the other guards, deep admiration in her chocolate gaze. As he offers an explanation she widens her eyes, concerned. “Larz… You have to be careful. I mean, I know you can handle yourself, obviously, but… Your job is really dangerous. You’re lucky they weren’t armed tonight, but you won’t always be lucky with just a sock to your jaw…” She’s gravely worried about his well-being, and it strikes her that she truly cares for this man. If she could lock him up in one of her enchanted trunks, she would, to keep him safe at all times. She had no right to have these feelings, they were still in that awkward more than friends, less than lovers, early dating stage. He could have any job he wanted, and she shifts her gaze, only to have his fingers grazing her chin, and she thinks he’s going to kiss her, while on duty, in the public streets, but instead he says a single word. Addictive? Lana blinks, and then nods. “Right. Those substances are probably addictive…” She has no idea what she’s even talking about, as she’s never tried a drug in her entire life, though she apparently agrees with Larz. It’s almost amusing, but those that knew Lanara well knew that she was always ‘winging’ it, through most of her life. She wraps her arm around his waist, as he places his around her arms, and she smiles as he claims that he ruined her girls night. “Oh no… I forgot to send a letter or stop by…” She bites her lower lip, hesitant to accept his offer of a drink, as she wasn’t one for breaking promises, especially to those she cared about. “Well… Tonight, the group I was supposed to meet, they were hoping to celebrate me being ‘single’ and take me for a drink. I have a sinking feeling they were going to attempt to set me up with some blind date, so I’m not too upset at missing a girl’s night out. They were there for me when I left Eirik, as… I didn’t really have anyone else I could talk to about it.” She frowns, thinking of her sister, and the disappointment she would have in her eyes when she found out the truth. “I would -much- rather have a drink with you, than be pushing some weird guy away the entire night, and glaring at my ‘friends’ as they try and get me drunk. But… I really hate to break promises, to anyone, so after we have drinks, I’ll have to make a quick stop.” Larz would also meet a certain companion that she preferred to keep hidden from the public. Lana smiles at Larz, and as they enter the tavern she slides onto a stool, and feels the gaze of several upon her back, likely her ass, though she tries to ignore it. There was a reason the little elf avoided taverns, unless with a group of close friends. She orders a glass of white wine, with some strawberries, though the orc bartender tells her they don’t have either. “Okay. An ale.” Gualon isn’t her favorite of places, and she sighs, though she looks at the man at her side and grins. He made it all worthwhile. “So. What made you want to be a Guard? Beside the ability to restrain pretty women, show off your skills, and keep in tip-top shape?”
Largakh noticed the ones ogling, but he expects this before leaning in to quietly say to Lanara, “if you feel uncomfortable we can go.” He didn't sound all jealous or anything and if she likes the attention then that's her prerogative. When the bartender was giving Lana a hard time, Larz cleared his throat and they exchange a glance so when he brought the drinks, Lanara would find her drink was in a very clean crystal mug and the ale was a special blackberry blend with some of those berries frozen and floating on the top. It was no sangria or white wine, but it was specially made just because Lana was there with Larz and Larz wants the best for her. He doesn't comment on the blind date because she's a capable woman and he doesn't own her, but above all he trusts her… Larz always trusts when people end up sticking through the dumb orc act. When she asks of his occupation choice he shifts in his seat toward her, locking their gaze, she became everything in the room and the bustle of the tavern seems further away. So much so that he didn't realize Lanara had another drink sent her way and a liquor shot by two admirers in the bar, “growing up in Sage, I always wanted to be able to protect people, but I had to go where I would be more accepted and it seems that Gualon was looking at the time. After working for a year I took a liking to the orphanage because for a while there were a lot of complaints of these hooded cult guys trying to recruit the kids and turn them into… Who knows what. So, they ended up needing a round of guards taking shifts all day and night. That's when I started to care for the orphanage and make sure those kids grew up with dreams and hope…” He barely noticed when a guy had sidled up to Lanara, smirking and letting his eyes catch too long at her chest and arse until he spoke up, “I havn’ seen a purdy lil’ znack like you. Like your drink?” He slides the shot in front of Lanara before winking and leaning in close, “you wanna dance?” Larz drinks some of his ale, slyly watches Lanara’s body language for a sign she was uncomfortable and wanted his help, but he knows she can handle herself - again, he trusts her choices. He keeps a good ear on them and studies from the peripherals of his vision while this guy was openly hitting on the woman next to him.
Lanara is listening so intently to Larz that she doesn’t notice the drinks piling up on the bar, the barmaid is rolling her eyes as the two would-be suitors glare at each other from across the room, silently fighting over who would be taking the brunette home tonight. Neither, if Lana even cared to pay them any mind. She only has eyes for the man at her side, and it’s obvious, from the way her eyes sparkle every time he looks her way. She was staring, only seeing the orc and none other, and she sips the blackberry ale that was specifically made just for her consumption. “Ooh. That’s actually really good! Want a taste?” She doesn’t mean for her tone to be so husky, she merely was dropping her voice as many others were crowding around them and she didn’t want to shout, though as the words leave her mouth she realizes it could have more than one intent. A faint flush is visible, and she clears her throat. “You always wanted to protect people… That’s really admirable. I like that about you, Larz. You are always rooting for the underdog, and… I know that the kids at the shelter look up to you. You’re their hero. Their mentor. Their friend. They’re lucky to have such a role model. I knew the moment that I met you, even though you were trying to deceive me.” A grin. “I knew then, that you had a big heart. You cared for a cat that you never even met, for a woman that you couldn’t wait to get away from, and you took a moment to put an orange on Lucky’s grave. That was really thoughtful.” Lana reaches out to gently squeeze his hand, though she pauses as a handsome stranger, a human, presses up against her other side. She doesn’t react at first, and as he speaks she flicks her gaze to the counter of the bar, seeing not two, but now -six- drinks lined up from admirers. Great. The free drinks were always fun, but they -never- ordered what she liked, and they always came with a heavy price. Such as this one. He brought her a two silver shot, and he expected a dance in return. She hadn’t asked for the drink, and though he was easy on the eyes, she was interested in a certain someone to her left. She wasn’t the type to pursue two men at once. She’s caught between a rock and a hard place, as she doesn’t want to make a scene and Larz was already punched once today. “Hi. Thanks for the drink. I, uh, I’m actually pregnant. Yeah. So I can’t drink… That’s why my husband over here bought me some cranberry juice. It helps for when the baby kicks, to alleviate the cramping.” The woman is lying through her pearly white teeth, though the apologetic smile she’s giving, is enough to send any straight man to heaven. He looks at her slender figure, not noticing any sort of bulge in her torso, though he eyes the orc with a look of distaste for a bitter moment, before he nods. “Aight. Thanks fer letting me down easy, sweets.” And he’s gone. She looks at Larz and smirks. “Shush. Don’t let that go to your head.” The moment of flirtation is over as suitor number two arrives, though this one was clearly drunk, and he looked like a man that wouldn’t handle rejection very well. He merely glares at Lana, and for a moment she’s afraid he’s going to punch her, but he merely grabs her by the wrist and pulls her onto the dance floor. “Wha-” She doesn’t have time to react, before she’s forcefully pushed against him and he brings his lips to hers, the woman preparing to knee him in the groin, when he -stomps- on her foot. He was impulsive, he reeked of ale, and he had stepped on her delicate toes! He also was much larger than her, and she punches at his chest to get away, but she’s unable. It all happened so darn fast, as he had inhuman speed, and as he goes in for another kiss, she sees the fangs. A vampire. That explains how she had gone from the bar to the dance floor in a flash and why Larz didn’t have enough time to react. Lana waits for his head to lower, fully prepared to headbutt him in the jaw, for now she’s biding her time and clenching her jaw.
Largakh’s eyes glint with desire at her words as he takes the ale to try it just after saying, “... eventually.” He slyly goes along with the lie and grins at the guy when be glances his way. When he gave up and walked away Larz chuckled softly at Lanara, “that was brilliant, but I would like to be properly wooed before we are married.” He gives a fake high society scoff. Vampires again? In a flash they were on the open floor and he could see Lanara struggling, so he looked to the barkeep who only nodded to the half orc. Larz pulled something from his work utility belt, it was a small bottle with clear water. Water that was blessed with Saldana's spirit energy which makes some powerful holy water that even Larz doesn't like to have on his skin. It felt like he cleared the tavern in two strides to douse the overgrown flying rat in the face with the water. This was only to get him to shrink away from Lanara because Larz had to take this outside and it works, the vampires skin is burning under the water and he steps back grabbing his face. Larz didn't miss a beat and charged at the guy till he had him tackled outside on the cold ground. Larz got a few face arranging punches in the creep before the vampire turned into mist then floats to the air in order to take the shape of a bat and fly away. This reaction was entirely different from the one right before and if Lanara followed him outside he would get to his feet before taking her by the hand while explaining, “I apologize. You seemed to struggle a second there. It's one thing if a guy flirts with you simply because I expect it and you should be admired, you're a gorgeous intoxicating woman and I trust you. It's another thing to force yourself on someone, I can't stand seeing that.” The tuscan fire goes out for a second time tonight as she brings him back down to earth while he caresses some hair behind her tapered ear, “are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he? How is your foot? I hope I didn't embarrass you…” Oh how the tables have turned and he's the one asking all the questions at once.
Lanara is prepared to ram her skull against that creeps chin, hopeful of busting off a fang, when he’s splashed in the face with some sort of clear liquid. Her eyes narrow, and she flinches, for when he pulls back, he pinches her roughly on her sides, with that inhuman strength. The liquid lands on her shirt, but it doesn’t seem corrosive so she stands there, glaring at the vampire as he inches back, his hands cupping his face, before he aims to leave the establishment. He doesn’t get too far, as Larz charges the man, and though her toes feel numb, she darts after them, to see what would become of her date and her assailant. She should have warned the half-orce that this was bound to happen, and that she had vowed not to use magic within any public places, therefore she couldn’t defend herself from unwanted advances. There’s a drop of blood above her lip from where the fang had nicked her, and she swats it away, horror in her gaze. “You... BLOOD SUCKER!” The elf looks like she’s about to jump into the mix, as Larz readies his fourth punch, and the vampire shapeshifts into a bat and flies off into the night. She was glad that he was gone, though she could taste his undead kiss on her lips, there was a small puncture on the left side of her mouth, and she was pretty sure she had a broken toe or two. As the half-orc takes her hand, she looks up at him, a little stunned by his words. A particular sentence is focused on, which likely was a slip of the tongue, though she bristles at the three final words. I trust you. As if she were his property? They were only dating, and he hadn’t lain a claim on her. And why would he have reason to -not- trust her? And… She sighs. Her mind runs through a million different variations of how she could have taken that comment, all of them illogical, of course. But this was the -queen- of mistrust, and she snatches her hand back, though her expression softens when he caresses the hair from her face and behind her ear. “I’m fine. I’m pretty sure the swelling in my toes is making them numb, so the pain is tolerable. And…” She pauses, wincing as she lifts her shirt halfway up. Yup. Bruises were already forming on her sides, the purple fingerprints of the vampire’s pinch evenly marking her on both sides, as though it were an intentional tattoo. “I’m fine.” The shirt is lowered, and he’d likely notice the pierced belly-button, as the silver ring sparkles in the moonlight. “Wait. How did -you- embarrass me? I… I should have given you fair warning. I don’t even understand why men hit on me, to be honest. My sister is far prettier. I think my infamy as an ex-exotic dancer follows me around. Or maybe it’s my ass. I don’t know. Anyway. Want to get out of here?”
Largakh sighs at himself as he realized what he just said on his own, “I'm putting my foot in my mouth. I don't own you, even when we are a thing I'm secure enough if men flirt with you for you haven't given a reason to not trust you. And I embarrassed you because I got into a bar fight.” He turns his back on her and kneels down to the ground, “Yeah. Let me carry you to Theoduin so we can get you healed up. Plus, I need more holy water from Seldanna.” Once she hops on he would hold onto her legs to keep her secure and begins at a brisk walk towards Sage. “I'm not the only being that thinks you're gorgeous and so what you were an exotic dancer- that gives no one an excuse to not show some restraint.” He felt like he kept saying the wrong things. Was he trying too hard? Did their almost night ruin it all for them? Now he became quiet, a stern look on his face as he walked on with her, luckily she was on his back and couldn't see the gears turning in his head… He just wants to take care of her and enjoy her, but maybe it's not enough. Maybe she just needs a break from him - or she would get confused/irritated/untrusting and realize she does need someone else who's been in a serious relationship before. He opens his mouth to say something, anything, fill the silence with whatever, but he cannot find the words. A pit opening up in his stomach as these thoughts only fester.
Lanara is trying hard to not be a bitch, she really is, but the vampire had put a -huge- damper on their evening. She was bitten, groped, forced into a dance, and injured, all in a matter of fifteen minutes. Then her date said a trigger word, and now he is upset, and she just can’t win! Lana is running her fingers through her long hair, looking up at the starry sky and almost hoping that bat flies back here, because she was feeling pretty freaking angry at the moment. Larz is apologizing and explaining and it’s just upsetting her more that he read her mind, or that he realizes at the last second. He shouldn’t have to walk on eggshells. She’s a lot of work. This was usually when men pulled away, and he was next, she felt it. She swats away another droplet of blood from her mouth and just nods her head. She didn’t want to go to his grandparents house. It seemed that was all he wanted to do with her when things went awry, send her to his grandfather. And that would go over real well. He thought her a prostitute at the start! All she had to do was stroll in, late at night, from a bar fight that was her fault! Oh, and wait until he heard she was nipped above her lip from being kissed by a vampire. She could just imagine what she’d face when they got there, and she puts her hands on her hips, ready to walk herself somewhere, for she was a more than competent healer. “Stop it. Just stop… I-I need to think, okay? I mean, I need to stop thinking. Over thinking. Like… I really want to run. I want to just not do this anymore. But… That’s what I’ve always done in the past. And you were getting through, and I really do like you, and want to pursue this… I just… I’m having a hard time working on myself. And… I think I’m too much for you to handle. I even hate handling myself, I can barely do it, and I have to deal with being ‘me’ full time.” She’s crying, though she doesn’t even feel the hot tears staining her cheeks, as she hugs him from behind as he’s knelt on the ground. She’s pitiful, and she hates that he’s seeing her like this, but he entered at the lowest point of her life, and she was trying to fight like hell to only let him see her at her very best. “You don’t have to take me to your grandparents of have me healed. I’m more than capable… I’m a witch. It’s sort of what we do… I’m sorry you got into a bar fight because of me. And I’m sorry. You didn’t sign up for -any- of this…” Lana’s arms are tightly around his shoulders, her tears are soaking through his shirt, and she just clings to the half-orc, knowing she should free him, as she’s not worth the effort, but she doesn’t have her heart to break off whatever this even is, so she waits for him to say something. The fight has gone out of her, she’s just sad, and knowing that she severely messed up with the man she’s been falling for the past few weeks.
Largakh stayed knelt before her, letting her get her feelings out. “No, I understand, you aren't over what you've been through.” He said it softly and kindly. “We've got to get you off the streets and to a place to heal, your foot though.” With her clinging to him he stands up, “you can heal at my place, then if you'd like I can walk you to where you are staying. I never fell for someone before,” again, yeah, he said it. SO? “I'm certain this is how it feels. Just, take your time with whatever you need. I'll still be right where you know you can find me. I'm patient, I'll wait.” A silent moment just as they reach his apparent complex, “and I'm not handling you for there is nothing to handle. I said it before and I'll say it again, I just want to take care of you, make you happy and just be there for you.” Once they are back at his place he gently sat her on the sofa so she may do her magic, but before she does he looks down,at her, cupping her cheek, “you don't need fixed. I don't need fixed. I accept you just the way you are Lanara,” he then steps back from her and occupied his time in his tiny kitchen to take out some sweetbread and water for himself, there's more for her too if she would want.
Lanara is mostly quiet, aside from a few sniffles, though she has finally stopped crying. She -hated- letting others see that she was hurting, for she was often ashamed to show her vulnerability. But he hadn’t left her before the tavern, wailing in the street, with injuries, and a broken heart. And… Did he just say he had fallen for her?! At this, she lifts her head, and it dawns on her that he had been showing her he was falling for her all along. The note. The flowers. The drawings from the kids. The amazing date. His grandparents. The duckling. That archery lesson. Taking her to see his job. Ballet. The amethyst on his bookshelf. Defending her honor, twice. Saving her from the ‘snake’. She doesn’t understand how she could have been so stupid to think he was just after her for a lay, or that he would be capable of harming her. You don’t go through all that pursuing of someone, just to give up, or just to plan on hurting them down the road. She sighs as he says those words, about to say something back, but her throat is so dry that she can hardly form words, so she instead gives his shoulders a gentle squeeze. As he places her down on the sofa, she gives him a small smile, and as he steps towards the kitchen she assesses her injuries. The boots are kicked off, and she yelps as she tries to bend her toes. Yup. Pinky and the toe beside it are definitely broken. She closes her eyes, and cradles her foot on her lap, focusing over the injury for a moment. Her fingertips tingle as she presses her hand to the injury, masking it in a field of frost, thus numbing the injury and applying ice. The magic within her swirls towards her foot, thus re-entering her body, but it would keep the foot chilled for at least the next eight hours. Sadly, there’s no cure for a broken toe, and she was -not- going to drink those disgusting bone fusion potions from the healing center. She’d be fine in a week or so, as long as she kept them taped and didn’t bounce around in a dance class. Lana then limps into the wash room and finds the surgical tape, wraps it around the two, and she rinses the blood from her face, glaring at the mirror. That creep had no right to kiss her, though the pinhole had stopped bleeding. Next, she lifts her shirt over her head, and tosses it to the side, looking at the ugly handprints on her slender form. They didn’t show so much, unless she lifted her arms, and angled her form from the side. She doesn’t bother to use and of her magic, for they would only worsen by morning, and then give to fading. With only one injury left to ‘heal’ the best she could, she limps from the bathroom, in only a lacy dark-blue bra and those skin-tight leggings, and stands before Larz. “Hey… There are a lot of things I should say right now, but I don’t know where to start. I...I trust you, too, in the sense that I trust you wouldn’t intentionally hurt me…” Her voice cracks, as those three words were so hard for her to admit, to anyone, let alone someone that she still had the sinking feeling wouldn’t understand. So she catches her breath, willing herself not to cry. “I had a lot of horrible things happen to me in my life… Since I was a small child… And they turned me into this wretched basketcase that I am today. I think we have to talk about them, but not all at once, and I just… Larz. I know there will be tough times for us if you continue to see me… I’m not worthy of how amazing you are. But I’d be lying if I said that I don’t feel the same. I’m so glad you feel that way for me… Like. Relieved. I thought it was all one sided, and then when you said you fell for me... “ She’s wringing her hands, and she is struggling to find the right words, so she limps nearer to him, and pulls him close to her, ignoring the fact that she’s half-naked, in his kitchen. “If I’m the first one you ever fell for, I’m both honored and so very sorry. I’m a lot to take on as a crush, or more than a crush. So if you ever don’t understand why I’m feeling a certain way, or thinking something, or acting out… I need you to ask me what’s wrong and you can push… Push me to talk about my past. I… I want to be with you. I fell for you, too. I fell off a ten-story building, and I went through the pavement, and I’m battling demons in the underworld. That’s how freaking hard I fell for you. So please, don’t ever think it’s one sided, or that you’re doing something wrong. You’re doing everything right… You just fell for someone that has a lot of baggage.”
Largakh was making himself busy with whatever he could in the kitchen, he wasn't even hungry because his stomach is always doing flips around her and he offers, “if you need anything just ask.” About her having to heal herself. He heard her retreat to the washroom and stopped what he was doing, placed his palms on the counter and leaned on it, bowing his head in thought. He's laid so much out on the line and it's scary because he has never felt this way and when he did get as little as a crush he knew it wasn't returned, but just for a minute there he feared he said too much and freaked her out because she doesn't feel that way just yet. Looking back on one of the many conversations that he's had with his grandparents about relationships and he didn't realize she was coming out of the washroom when he mumbled, “they were right…” of course he'd clue Lana in on the secret if she were curious. He snaps out of it and stands straight when he turned to her, eyes glance down, widen for one second then snap back to her face. His heart floated up to his throat and his cheeks aflame as his eye muscles strain to keep within her own, but he looks calm and cool on the outside. The break between her prompt and her confession of feelings felt like forever and could have killed him… I mean not really, but that was a moment that induced anxiety. His patient facial expression and calm body language continues through the entirety of everything she needed to say, but he was quiet for a moment after and took all she said one at a time… “One: I want you to tell me whenever you feel ready to because I accept your past and my main concern is your future.” His hand raises to count the points as he addresses them, “two: so what you're a basket case, I want to make you my basket case. Three: you mean AS I continue to see you. Four: Lana… Believe me when I say, I'm only amazing because you make me that way. I want to give you the moon.” He entirely forgot she was lacking a shirt as his hands take a gentle hold on her shoulders, heat emanating off him as he stared down into those entrancing brown eyes, “I'm so glad you feel the same.” He bent down slowly, holding her gaze when his hands caress their way up her neck to rest on the sides of her face and slowly he presses his lips over her own in a slight purse. A slow and soft sensual kiss occupies their silence for around ten seconds before he looks back down at her when the kiss broke, “will you let me give you the moon? Will you let me make you mine one day? If I can bring just a little light into your life to balance out the darkness of your past I would die a happy man.”