Respite in Dangerous Waters

[Axyl]

Wood creaked under unseen feet as the lake bubbled from underwater pockets. With subtle movement in waves, the old dock swayed only restricted by the lines connecting it to the shore and the piers holding the planks above water level. Following a worn wooden path and a yard or two from the shore of the stagnant lake stood a structure, a hut just as worn and algae coated as the path which led to its humble entrance. Surrounding those creatures of the night was a rather silent scene though the moonlit air was filled with the songs of water foul and bull frog. However, another faint music drifted upon the wind – the music of a tranquil harmonica accompanied by the gentle fiddle. At least this is how they sounded to those outside the humble shack until they entered through those squeaky doors only hearing the lower notes played.

Entrance into what appeared a run-down shack in the middle of nowhere opened up a whole new world to experience and behold in contrast to the lake’s night life. The room was full of life despite the darker décor. Dim candle-lit chandeliers hang from the ceiling just as a candles light each individual table even as swamp-worn ropes and used nets are hung and drape around the common room. Glasses and mugs both empty and partially full which sit scattered about add to the country styled scene. Lively music of a traditional fiddle with the company of the humbling harmonica and accompanied by an older upright piano filled the air as laughter of men and giggles of women drifted over and under the energetic song.

Towards the back of the room between piano and bar, a man who seems quite at home sits alone with his first round. His short brown locks looking almost black in this hazy dark atmosphere fall around his forehead covering his eyes as he stares upon his calloused hands which grasp not quite desperately to the ale. He relished in his time to relax; this man is at the end of his vacation from militant duty. In the morning he would depart to return to Saverin, to his duty and service to his nation.

Peaking from its home, his tongue grazed over his lips moistening them. Slowly, gripped into his worked hands, the topped and foamed mug raises to his mouth. Cocking the glass to release the smooth ale, the human male’s eyes closed in the hopes of intensifying his enjoyment. The liquor ran down his throat with a stinging passion both soothing his racing heart and calming his clouded mind. His chin followed his mug as it found its resting place back upon the wood of the table. Raising his head, the man gazed upon the dancing women in front of him, eyes dancing themselves upon the semi-free scenery. Quickly and yet subtly a smirk crossed the lanky visage of a weathered Axyl, the result of both the ale’s and vision’s effects.

ooc: hope that sets the scene ;D

[untamed]

Tan liquid sloshed as her wrist twisted with the glass. She brought up to her lips and let the liquid slide down her throat. The bitter taste of whiskey had become incredibly weak from the constant consumption. It was the only thing that helped her forget the sting of the bruise on her cheek. Last night was still not drowned in alcohol.

Seline closed her eyes. Memories of the dingy dungeon haunted her and then that stupid man. Seline’s face creased in anger when she thought of his gruff voice yelling at her for beating up on one of his lackeys. Her dark eyes opened and rested on her empty glass. She pushed it in front of her and waited for a refill.

From beneath her fringes of hair, she watched the bartender fill up her glass from the umptieth time that night. She fiddled around in her pockets and pouch and found a silver coin and pushed it to the edge of the bar. She reached out with her slender fingers and grasped the glass within them. She turned around in her seat and looked around at the scene before her.

The dance floor had women dancing and men were either laughing or gawking at the dancers. Seline sneered, if she tried something like that at the rate she was drinking, she would coat the floor with what she had already drunk. She leaned against the bar and her eyes gazed around the scene. She spotted the man that sat near the back between where she was and the piano.

His features, nope couldn’t tell what color his hair was. Seline’s body was beginning to shut down, a clear warning that she should stop drinking, but she took another swig. ‘I don’t want to stop until that stupid night goes away...’ she thought as she brought the glass to her lips and downed it all.

She pulled the cleaned glass away from her lips and set it on the bar. She quickly brought her hand to her mouth as she coughed roughly against her dry throat. She swallowed as her stomach protested against the alcohol that filled it. She grabbed the side of the bar to try and keep her body from swaying.

She looked up around her. The scene had blurred together and now looking at the women as they danced made her nauseous. The men that sat at the bar glanced at her, looking a little worried. She heard the garbled voice of the bartender telling her she had enough, but her mind had yet to forget what happened.

“Another,” Seline croaked, against her body’s better judgement. The bartender looked a little worried, but filled her glass. Her dark eyes were glazed and a blush was across the bridge of her nose from drinking. She went to reach for her glass, but there were three, or four?“Dammit...” she cursed.

[Axyl]

Off from his right, the thin but gruff man heard just a bit of a commotion which drew his attention from his fantasy of dancing women to a woman of other sorts. She sits there at the bar with a perfectly good full glass of some liquor or another; that did not really matter at the moment. Putting the cold glass to his lips again, he readied himself for the next stream. However, this time, he tipped his head all the way back dumping the ale down his throat. With a satisfied sigh, the off-duty soldier offset the liquors potent effects. Meanwhile, an empty thump accompanied the mugs replacement upon the old table.

With ease and a fluid motion, Axyl raises himself to his feet while simultaneously sliding his chair back with his left hand and his right transfers from handle to the rim of his now empty glass. “Such a waste,” he relented under his breath. Nonchalantly, the man meandered between both people and tables towards the bar… and more importantly towards that woman.

A familiar thud reached the bartender’s ears as Griess put his all-too-empty mug on the counter followed by the welcomed ring of coin. “I’ll have what she’s havin,” he said with a nod towards the woman of the hour to his left. Axyl’s voice was quick to respond even as the barman turned, “No. I’ll have what she’s havin.” Just as quickly, the man’s weathered left hand floated to and retrieved the full glass in front of her only setting it down on his opposite side. His tongue is fluid and firm as he continues, “and I’ll have a refill of the house ale and a side of jerky. Oh and yea… get the lady a loaf and a pitcher of water.” He tossed the man an extra coin as tip who received it with a mixed look of thanks, relief, and worry.

Immediately having been brought the makeshift meal, Axyl poured and placed in front of the as of yet unnamed woman a glass of water. Since it has often been christened the purifying liquid, most individuals assumed and believed it to be clean. Additionally, the owner of this small hut is a respectable man, so all knew the drinks possessed safety levels dependent upon the consumers. Even so, some individuals tended to avoid water for their favorite liquors.

Ripping a piece off the loaf, Axyl held the bread in front of her appealing and blushed face. “You are goin to have one hell of a hangover.” He tossed her a friendly smile and playful tone hoping she wouldn’t pummel him for taking her beloved whiskey.

[untamed]

Her blurry vision focused on the glass of whiskey in front of her, but as she reached for it, it was gone. She followed the masculine hand that whisked away her drink. She stared at the man, scowling. Her dark eyes were narrow as the man ordered food and for Seline herself, a pitcher of water.

Seline crossed her legs underneath the ledge of the bar and began to take in the man’s features while she waited for her less than exciting pitcher of water. He was as human as they came. Brown hair and....Seline tried to concentrate on his eye color. Brown eyes, not like her dark, almost black eyes. Though, he lacked the muscle of most of the men she had seen before, he wasn’t scrawny.

Seline perked up a bit at the sight of food. She had only been wasting away her money on alcohol the entire night, but food? Her stomach gurgled softly to encourage her to take the bread. She reached out, hesitantly, but took the food in her feminine fingers. With her other hand, she broke the piece into bite-size pieces and popped them into her mouth in a fluent motion.

“I’m quite use to hangovers. I have them most of the nights,” she calmly replied to the unnamed man before her. She reached over and took a swig of water. “But I’m not use to people stopping me.” She raised an eyebrow. Her vision was becoming more focused and could concentrate on her handsome companion’s features.

She munched down on more of the bread, still looking at her companion. She had consumed enough alcohol to keep her less-than-attractive attitude subdued, but not enough to drown out the whole ordeal last night. She rubbed her cheek where the bruise was still visible. The flesh stung a bit still. “Tell me, what brings you over to my side of the bar to stop me from wasting my life on alcohol?” she asked, a slight flirtation in her voice.

[Axyl]

His expression perked up even more as her appealing voice reached his ears with not scorn but flirtation lined her words. The smirk crossing his visage widened as she accepted the bread. He sighed as he stared into the glass and translucent brown liquor under the tan foam. “I honestly can say I don’t understand why you accept that. Sure. Every once in a while the night is worth the hangover, but not every night. How do you enjoy yourself?” Axyl’s voice resonated with the knowledge and experience of his own nights accompanied by hangovers. With a moment left in silence, he continued – his voice smooth and eyes gentle – this time looking to her. “I stop you, my dear, because I wish to know if you would like some company to enjoy. Time with the drink must be exhausting and perhaps becomes a bit boring after a while.” Hoping to find her eyes he smiled his most sincere smile.

Unfortunately, it was his mind which wandered. He thought it funny and if only a bit ironic for him to find a woman such as she on his sadly last true day of vacation. Tomorrow morning he would be off heading back to his home in Saverin… and his duty. She seemed… the word would not come to his mind… right almost balanced even… despite her like for the drink. She was a real woman. Axyl looked past her ear for a moment at the woman dancing on stage. Unlike the porcelain dolls on display. Though they were nice for sure – good eye candy and all – but he doubted they had guts, possessed substance under their big hair. This one next to him, the unnamed Seline, seemed something else underneath her sweet sarcasm.

He turned back to his ale taking another swig. After one satisfying swallow, the off-duty soldier replaces the mug in his hand with a stick of jerky. The tough meat rolled between teeth and tongue excreting sweet juices inviting the soldier to enjoy their taste.

Axyl looked back to find her face hoping to find some response besides a fist in his face. Brown eyes searched as a wandering mind pondered. His eyebrow rose with his wondering. Would she have even noticed his own flirtations through the fog of the whiskey?

ooc: bleh... muse shortage... wonder if sugar helps

[untamed]

Her dark eyes watched as the unnamed soldier smirk as she welcomed his offer. She arched her eyebrow while he talked in a soothing voice. ‘How do I enjoy myself?’ Seline thought. She parted her lips to speak her part, but she fell silent. She couldn’t really answer his question. She didn’t really enjoy herself while she intoxicated herself to no end, but there was a reason behind her horrible habit.

She reached her hand out and grabbed her glass of water that she was limited to drinking. She placed it to her lips and sipped the water from the glass gently and then placed it back on the bar beside her. She was now more intent on listening to the stranger. The way his words formed, they were gentle. Most people didn’t speak to her so gently. It was the first time she heard someone say ‘my dear’ to her. And his smile....Seline felt the blush creep across her cheekbones and it wasn’t the alcohol.

Seline watched as his eyes shifted for a moment. She sighed, the alcohol was making her a pansy. It was blinding her judgement, but this man. He seemed genuine, maybe it was the soldier way. Her eyes scrutinized his movements, unlike most men he didn’t try to hit on her, well not rudely at least. His speech and the way he stared at her had some flirtation in it.

Seline reached over and took a stick of jerky out of her companion’s stash. “So Soldier Man, you must have a name. I normally don’t ask for names, but most guys in bars aren’t worth knowing,” Seline whispered seductively. She leaned forward in her seat slightly. She placed her face closer to the unnamed Axyl’s face. As she leaned, her shoulders rolled into a relaxed position, her right hand settled on his thigh, right above the knee. The alcohol had weakened her strong exterior and she was willingly letting the man get close to her. Or was it that she wanted to get close to him?

((Music always helps me with muse or movies. I get ideas from movies a lot. But with Seline, I just have muse, she's a fun character to roleplay as. ;D))

[Axyl]

It was a strange thing. He wanted to, but he could not, despite the steady urge, pull her closer into his arms. She seemed the type to smack him into the heart of Airos’ lands if he did such a lecherous deed.

The soldier pulled his attention back to the mug which he had been gradually depleting during their conversation. After finishing the ale with one last gulp, Axyl gestured for a refill and was happily obliged after the coin rang its song on the hardwood counter. Immediately, he brought the glass to his lips parting the sea of foam resting above the liquid substance. Initially, he had wanted to drink his favored liquors to his heart’s content and spend his last night in a blissful stupor. However, now that option seemed a bit surreal. If he would become as drunk as he had originally planned, he would not be able to enjoy his time with this woman as the man he was raised. Besides, the journey back to Saverin was long and tedious enough without the extra burden of a hangover… a major hangover at least. In this moment, the soldier judged his original idea to be foolish beyond the accepted idiocy of off-duty men.

He looked back to Seline with his smile still intact only to avert his eyes back to his ale once again in order to prevent the woman further embarrassment. The red across her face seemed to take on a different hue and though differentiating between the two causes in the dim light of the humble hut was indeed difficult, the soldier had a feeling his assumptions were correct.

She reached to his ‘stash’ bringing her closer to his small frame. A tingle crept up his spine as she whispered. Her seductive voice floated around in his ear penetrating his subconscious barrier. As a man, Axyl knew this development was quite promising, but as a soldier, he also knew of its danger. Alcohol causes instability in most indulgers and he hoped not to harm her in any way.

Axyl jolted as in the midst of thought her touch upon his thigh brought his face back to hers which was much closer than when it had left his sights. His entire body reacted in a miniscule flinch. It was definitely a surprise, but in hind-sight, her touch seemed too obvious.

“Axyl,” the soldier stammered quietly. Quickly, the man pulled himself back to his ale to collect himself. He turned back to her – eyes kind, smile sincere, composure recovered. “My name’s Axyl Griess, warrant officer of the Earth military.” He spoke loud enough for the yet unnamed woman to hear and hoped none else had fearing the results if his position had reached the wrong set of ears considering the wide company in the small tavern. After taking another swig, the man continued. “Now, if you would please be so kind as to return the favor. What be your name, my dear lady?” Pausing, he gave her a chance to consider and allow his words to sink into memory. “… unless you would prefer my continuin to call you by this pet names.”

He kept his eyes to her as he ripped another piece from the loaf. Axyl offered the portion to her, but not before tearing a smaller piece from it for himself. With eyebrow raised and smirk still present, the ‘soldier man’ waited once again hoping he had chose the correct words.

ooc: I'm having fun too... Axyl's a different type of character than I'm used to playing ;D

[untamed]

Seline had a constant hum in her ears, and the hazy disarray she was in made it hard to concentrate. Her curvy body was beginning to sway with the alcohol fully absorbed into her body. She pulled away from Axyl and placed her hand against her forehead. Her fingertips gently massaged the temple of her forehead. An uncomfortable sensation was settling in her stomach, and now she knew why she didn’t eat much when she came drinking.

She gazed over at her companion, words slurring together, “Seline....I’m not anyoneimportantlike you are soldier man. I travel around the lands, drinkingalmostevery night and getting into bar room brawls every night.” She chuckled slightly at her lifestyle, that was beyond not healthy. She brushed the bruise on her cheek again and shook her head. “I normally don’t engage in conversation in bars, especially with......” she paused for a moment while she looked at Axyl, “men, they’re usually jerks.”

She took the piece of bread from Axyl’s hand and stuck it in her mouth. Her stomach lurched uncomfortably when she swallowed the bread. There was a pause in thought before she slid off the bar stool. She stumbled towards the door, without a second to use. Using the doorframe, she swung her body outside.

Seline hit the soft, swampy ground on all fours. Her eyes began to tear up as her body forced the contents of her stomach onto the ground. Ragged coughs scratched her throat as she spit to get rid of as much of the lurid taste. Once she was sure her body had been satisfied with whatever amount of alcohol was left, she fell back on her legs in a kneeling position. She wiped the corners of her mouth on the metal of her glove and sighed.

She looked around the swampy area. Her vision clearing, she was able to see the starry night and wispy clouds in the sky. She clutched her head and chuckled at what she considered to be her pitiful life. Her head pounded against it’s cage as she held it in her hands.

[Axyl]

Worry settled into his brown eyes as she massaged her forehead. He knew the sway and the discomfort to well for his own good. Casually, his arm swept around behind her settling across her shoulder blades. Both with a slow movement and his gentle touch, Axyl rubbed her back wishing he could do more for her. Leaving his once again refilled mug at home on the countertop, the chivalrous soldier watched her with his lips finally quieted.

He smiled at her as she introduced herself. A brown eyebrow rose slightly at the summary of her chosen lifestyle; he turned with a scrutinous eye upon his ale now on the outside of his work-toned arm. Silently, he analyzed his previous choice and his usual night which seemed all too close to her description; the only difference was habits – his of wandering eyes and hers of brawls. Axyl shook his brown-locked head slightly even as he listened to her last comment about conversation only to be stopped by her pause. The man looked to her in turn finding her olive green eyes. His visage betrayed his mental wince at her perception of men. We’ll have to change that. With the thought a mischievous smirk crossed his face only to be wiped away by her withdraw.

Axyl recognized the look which flashed across her face. With a pained expression spread across his lanky face the soldier looked on as she slid her staggering form from the stool and away from the bar and its smell of alcohol. Following suit Axyl Griess slides his own body from the support of his stool, but stopped short only partly following her. His head turned to the barman barely able to drag his eyes from Seline before she disappeared around the doorframe.

Leaning his elbow back upon the countertop, the off-duty warrant officer shifted his body to face the man running the joint. Quickly he chugged the last of his ale after which a thud and sigh called the attention of the man. “I think I’m gonna need a room.” He paused to retrieve the necessary coin from what was left. Axyl turned back to the empty doorway. “Uh… get me a towl too.” The gruff tender complied with a grunt his frown hidden behind a mass of hair, but before the key sounded upon the table, the soldier was off on his way to the door with towel in hand – empty glass alone on the table.

Having regained his lighter personality through the door Axyl halted just behind her kneeling form. Crickets and owls the provide melody for the night song. With his smile almost traveling through his tone of voice, the soldier spoke in quiet air hoping to convey some sense of comfort and peace. “You might want this.” His arm wrapped around her head with the towel. Gently his palm alighted on top her shoulder only to be removed and put immediately to use in a gesture of offering. The calloused hand with palm up, though often times had been found hard and unappealing, hovered in the air held out to his new companion holding a soft position. He offered her help and to the gods he prayed she would accept. Under this scene, he knew not how, but knew nonetheless there was something more. Axyl only could pray that what little he could do would be of some help to her.

His smile sincere. His eyes gentle. His voice soft. “What say you we head inside?”

[untamed]

Seline had began to turn her head, but was interrupted by the towel being tossed over her head. She reached up and grabbed the towel. Seline took the towel and took it to the corners of her mouth. Her olive hued eyes looked at Axyl, confused. She held the towel in her fist as if to make sure it was tangible. A small smile crossed her lips, “You are too nice...” she whispered.

She looked down at the towel, the simple gesture. She looked up. His palm, callous yet warm, was held out to her. A soft gasp escaped her dry lips. ‘He can’t be real....I’ve never met a guy like this.....’ Seline’s mind was baffled by his gestures.

Slowly, hesitantly, she slipped her feminine hand into his palm, accepting his offer. As she brought herself to her feet, knees still bent the wooziness took over again. She swayed and slid back down to her knees, knees in the mud. She fell back onto her bottom, breathing ragged. ‘Why..? Why am I having so much trouble?’

Seline pulled her hand away from Axyl’s hand as she turned her body over on all fours again. The horrible sensation settling into her stomach once again. She heaved dryly, fighting against the pain of the sensation roughly against her throat by shutting her eyes to keep back tears.

‘Stupid woman! If you ever attack one of my men again you’ll regret it! As for this round of pay back, let’s give you some of this....’ Seline could remember the gang leader’s voice ring out in her head. She could remember him parting her lips and forcing her to swallow something. ‘A drug...? Is that what’s making me sick?’ she thought as another dry heave scratched her throat.

‘I....I hate being weak......’ she thought, ‘To....rely on a man....makes me weak.....’ Her eyes widen as her body forced up what little she ate that was left in her stomach. She gasped for air as she carefully eased herself back on her bent legs. Sweat caused her fringes of hair to stick to her forehead. Her trembling fingers reached to her forehead and held her head in her hands.

[Axyl]

The brown-eyed man chortled lightly. “Ha… you’re just sayin that,” he joked in an attempt to lighten at least her mood. “Bedsides,” Axyl continued, “you aint seen nothing yet.” His weathered visage smiled brighter than the night surrounding them could even attempt at imitating, but he was not without some sensitivity. He ached with longing to help her; his eyes conveying a vortex and confusion of emotion that which soldiers only released when their defenses actually fell.

Muscles tensed to aid her to her feet. He shifted around to steady her staggering body from behind. His arms wrapped around her slender form embracing her in support. Calloused hands cradled her own while his forearms braced hers from underneath up to her elbows. Axyl Griess held her against himself; he supported with his whole body. The man did not wish to see her hurt further. Seline slid back to her knees placing the woman between his firm legs. Once again trying to regain his support for her, Axyl pressed his knees against her between her shoulders and hips. It was when she drifted from his steady hold his worry reignited in full flame.

Axyl slid back down back to her level kneeling to her right but still behind her. His hands went to work – his left rubbing her back as she heaved and his right grasping her upper arm. Slowly, after a few moments spent comforting her, Griess rose back to his feet. Leaning back to her, his soft words floated upon a silent breeze. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.” Fingertips were the last to leave her as he entered the small inn again.

Music flooded his ears. Smoke burned his eyes. Food attracted his nose. The taste of alcohol danced upon his tongue. Basically, life overwhelmed his sense no longer tempered by the wooden walls. Axyl weaved his way back to the bar. Clapping his calloused palm upon the counter, the ‘soldier man’ caught the friendly barman’s attention. “Hey, friend.” He leaned closer while gesturing for the larger man to do the same. “I don’t suppose,” he began quietly in a nonchalant tone laced with urgency, “some detox.” Griess paused watching as the hairy face merely stared back awaiting more. He continued. “It needs to be strong… needs to flush everything from the system. Poison, drugs, alcohol… clean slate typa flush.” As a weapons master, Axyl knew next to nothing about specifics in biological terms, but knew what is was to flush a system and the underlying urgency in the possibilities.

Behind the bar, the gruff man turned fetching a small sleek brown bottle and a shot glass. He placed the glass in front of the lanky soldier, unstoppered the bottle, and filled the glass with a viscous orange-brown liquid. Lastly, the man pulled a large pitcher from under the counter immediately filled it to the brim with water. “Have her drink lots of water afterward she drinks this,” he pointed to the ‘detox’ as Axyl had called it.

“Thanks,” he called behind him as he scooped up the shot glass leaving the pitcher behind on the counter. Carrying his cargo with care while weaving back through the crowd, Axyl found himself back with Seline who still braced herself upon all fours.

He swept around in front of her before squatting back down to her. “Drink this,” his voice came soft but almost as a gentle order. His hardened hand glided down her tender cheek guiding her face to his while the other held the shot for her.

“Don’t worry.”

‘Soldier man’ smiled. His brown eyes found her green orbs in the dim moonlight filtering through the trees. Coming only as a whisper…

“I’ll take cara you.”

[untamed]

Seline heard Axyl get up and head back into the bar. She didn’t dare ease herself up onto her legs. The nauseous feeling had settled deep within her, causing her heavy discomfort. She could remember working at the apothecary years ago and the results of drinking heavily with medication in the system. She scowled at her foolishness.

Fevered eyes looked up as Axyl kneeled down in front of her. His calloused hand reached for her face bringing it up to meet his. Her eyes shifted to his other hand, the one that held the shot glass. ‘Drink it...?’ her mind processed the command. The words were gentle, but Seline’s stubbornness got in the way.

She pulled away from him, sitting back on her haunches. A strong defiance flashed in her olive irises. As she pushed herself up on to her feet, balancing wavered. Her feet slipped back, taking her farther away from Axyl’s grasp. “I have never trusted a man, but once. I won’t make that mistake again....” Seline’s feminine voice curled into a growl.

She fought back the nauseous sensation to keep her strong composure. Will was stronger than any medicine, she had learned that. If you had the will to survive, there was nothing you could succumb to.

Her eyes stayed narrowed on what was now, probably a baffled soldier. She couldn’t high-tail it out of the swamp, not in the dark. But she didn’t want to stay at the pub either, so needless to say, she was stuck. Seline scowled and stomped off into the darkness that hung around the swamp. A walk, a walk was all she would take.

Her boots snapped twigs and caused dried leaves to crunch under the pressure. Less than thrilled, she had to stop and give into her stomach’s unhappiness. Her throat burned from the stomach acid and she flinched against the unpleasant aftertaste, but she was sure she had completely emptied her stomach, because, for once, she didn’t have the nauseous feeling.

Straightening her body, she glanced back. She hadn’t walked far away from the pub or Axyl for that matter. The lights were still visible through the trees from the lights within the building, but Seline had walked far enough away that she was unable to tell where exactly the pub was, aside from the lights. She sighed heavily, debating whether she would go back to the pub or do as she usually did and climbed into a tree and sleep on one of the strong limbs. She leaned back against one of the trees and pondered her choices, which were dwindling when the nauseous feeling crept back into her system.

[Axyl]

Her eyes spoke of a number of things. Their green irises spoke of unknown illness. The darkness of their pupils spoke of unaccepted confusion. Pulling away from him, stubbornness and impertinence streaked across her eyes and her sweat-beaded face.

Seline’s voice snapped through the nighttime air laced with vengeance. Axyl stood with her confusion and concern dancing in his own brown eyes. He stepped closer to help her with outstretched muscular arms as she wavered on her feet… only to have her pull even further from him and his offered support. The soldier watched as she seemed to weigh her options. Her eyes flicked absently from his shadowed form to the even darker outlying woods over his shoulder.

With the finality of a decision, a slender foot slid forward. She attempted to weave around his masculine form to pass him and follow the crickets into the dark. He stopped her.

Firmly, yet not with too much force behind the gesture, his bare muscular arm crossed her path. His wrist curled around her midriff pulling him back in front of her wavering stability. Axyl’s persona shifted back to that of the strict soldier many of his comrades know. He grasped her upper arm and held the filled shot glass up at eye level for her. Brown eyes searched to find her despite the possibility of finding nothing but cold defiance. A soldier’s stare pierced into the night followed shortly by a stern tongue.

“Drink it,” the expected and repeated order came. “Honestly, you don’t have to like me now,” the baritone voice regained so of what was its gentleness, “but you must trust me in this. Drink it.” Axyl allowed his benevolence to temper his insistence. “I promised to take cara you and I promise not to touch you.” His face drew nearer. His voice became but a whisper. “Trust me. Drink it… and spare me from making you drink it.” The final phrase shifted into a hollow tone… the emptiness forced upon a soldier. It was no empty threat given by a kind man meaning to do naught but good for this woman. This was the promise made with the honor those of the loyal military often possessed.

Piercing brown eyes watched hers. They would be the medium of her decision’s betrayal.

ooc: so its a bit on the short size... I've still got muse... just thought I'd let you answer .... ;D .... no hard feelings either way

[untamed]

Her olive green eyes narrowed as she looked at Axyl. There was a tension in her hand that was building up. She wanted to smack the glass out of his hand, but the better part of her told her not to. Her eyes shifted as she looked to the ground. The look of hurt and distrust was evident upon her face as she glanced back up at Axyl.

“Part of me tells me that I shouldn’t trust you, at all....” Seline whispered, “But the other part tells me that you wouldn’t hurt me...” Seline took the shot from Axyl’s hand and downed it in one gulp. The bitter taste caused her to gag a little, but she kept down the liquid.

She looked back at Axyl, her head swimming with nausea. She balanced herself by leaning her back against a tree. “I guess, I will have to let you take care of me now.” Seline pressed her hand against her forehead. She slid down the tree’s trunk causing the bark to come off. “What the hell was that?” she asked.

She turned her head and pressed it against the cold bark of the tree. Her fever began to creep even more higher and higher. Her olive eyes looked back up at Axyl with a somewhat pitiful stare. Whatever that drink was, was making her feel absolutely horrible and all she wanted to do as of now was to lay down in a bed.

((Grr, it's short, oh well I have a feeling that is all you will need to go about on your post. Have fun, she's going to get a little delirious...))

[Axyl]

His head cocked to follow her eyes as she turned to the ground. Her apparent hurt, her distrust mixing together in a swirl in her olive eyes did its part adding to his pain. Axyl had honestly wished not to speak those harsh words to her. Seline’s words only proved the guise she seems to hide behind and cemented his guilt.

“… you wouldn’t hurt me…”

Blurred hearing – the alcohol of his last four mugs downed in the past hour – recognized the sound of hard liquid sliding down her throat. He smiled slightly as he watched her swallow the detox only to be wiped away with concern when she gagged. Slowly, the soldier backed the staggering woman against a porch post. Brushing his palm across the side of her face, his hand only paused at her forehead to caress her sweat-beaded brow gently with his thumb. Brown orbs found green blurring pools. Axyl whispered assurance to her.

“I already promised, before you took it, that I would take cara you…”

He let a sigh of relief escape before he continued.

“… and thank you… for at least trustin me this far…”

As his gentle words drifted upon the silent breeze, Axyl pulled himself closer to her form just as it started to slide lower down the wood. Carefully, he inserted his muscle-toned arm between her shoulder blades and the rough wood surface. Meanwhile, his left drifted behind her knees. Without another moment to spare, ‘soldier man’ scooped her tenderly up in his arms. Nonchalantly the man brushed his cheek against her forehead with not a deviant thought to cross his mind to find her in high fever. This was definitely a potent detox. Unfortunately for Seline, it would bring her into a very vulnerable state. The night would not be the most peaceful overall, but she would indeed sleep – the sedative portion of the shot would make sure of it.

With urgency lightly the flame under his boot, Warrant Officer Griess swept her back into the small pub weaving once again through drunks, dancers, and even normal folk, but this time with precious cargo in his sturdy arms. Carefully, he leaned to his side speaking with the tavern master. “I’m gonna need that room now. Also, if I could have some help up there, it would be greatly appreciated.” After taking the key into his right hand while still supporting Seline with his arm and against his lean shoulder, the weapons master headed for their room upstairs. The creaking of the wooden stairs barely heard above the ruckus of the barroom.

Just a bit more juggling on his part and the door pushed open to reveal a small but quite welcoming room especially under these circumstances. A window on the far wall looked through into the nighttime scene in which they both once stood not too long ago. With a wooden chair immediately to his right, a set of drawers against the wall to the left, and a nightstand next to the single bed both against the wall towards the far corner, the room beheld a welcoming warmth and glow provided by a fire in the small stone hearth to his right on the other side of the chair.

“It was a detoxicant I got from the barman,” ‘soldier man’ began answering her question from outside. “And from your symptoms thus far, I can see it came strong.” He paused looking for a moment to her and then back up to scan the humble room. “The detox is meant to flush your system of harm – alcohol, drugs, poison… which means you may be in for more vomiting before you can sleep unfortunately.” Axyl turned his face back to her with that wide smile of his. “But you will sleep soundly, I promise.” Turning his attention back to the room, he found what he wanted so badly for her. A bed. “While you sleep, the detox is to absorb into your blood to neutralize whatever is messing with you… besides the detox itself,” he added knowing her discomfort. On a number of occasions, his comrades had forced a detox down his throat to sober him up – bad nights of the enticing drink were not uncommon, especially for Axyl Griess.

The deep thump of his boots upon the wooden floor mixed with the crackle of the fire accompanied his short walk to the bed. A relatively loud crash interrupted the melody of night as the room slid ungracefully from between his fingers, over the nightstand edge, and onto the floor. He gave it no attention; his eyes preoccupied with the bed in front of him and his arms taken with precious company.

Bending his knees, Axyl lowered Seline with his whole body carefully. As the bed slowly came to their level, the soldier leaned forward; the muscles in his arms, thighs, and upper back all embracing extra pressure to keep her descent gentle. Once her weight was transferred to the bed, once supporting arms slid out from between her slender figure and the mattress entrusting her to its comfort. Leaning back over her, he encouraged her to her side with tender tugs at her shoulder. Axyl stroked her arm and across her shoulder blade before going about to search the room.

There it was. Turning back towards the bed with a tin waste can in hand, the man was practically forced to pause and check himself before returning to her side. Lying there on the bed before him was a very attractive young woman. Her curves perfectly revealed and though she was in obvious discomfort, her face still possessed its wild-like beauty. Wandering over her figure, brown eyes snagged on the hilt of her sword. He needed to take care of that. Swallowing, Axyl attempted to push back the lump in his throat before arriving back at her side. Habits are hard to break.

Placing the can at the bedside, he lowered himself back at her side. Axyl found himself once again stroking her shoulder. He had to actually silently command himself to turn his attention to her weapons. Hence, his hands shifted first to the short sword. Unhooking it from her belt the soldier leaned it against the bed frame. Jostling her belt brought forth the sound of some loose coin bringing his attention to another pouch. That was laid on the nightstand next to an unlit lantern. Next, he worked to unbuckle and slide the armored guards from her forearms. Finally, after placing those aside as well, the man moved to remove her boots and rest the pair at the foot of the bed. As he worked, Axyl Griess spoke to her. Half his words were simple explanations of what he was doing so she would not become alarmed with what his hands worked at accomplishing, but all were meant to comfort her.

Content with what he had removed, Axyl stroked her again and pulled stray hair from her fire-lit face. Moving his lips closer to her ear, he whispered assurance that he would remain to her. At last, he lifted himself from her side. The bed creaked with relief from his weight. Cradling her sword in his palm, the soldier moved it out of the way, but not out of her reach both out of his own habit and respect for her.

Brown boots dragged along the rough floor moving towards the small stone hearth. Laying one now weary and shaking calloused hand upon the wooden seat of the chair, Axyl leaned forward slowly. Halfway through lowering himself, the man suddenly collapsed to one knee. He steadied himself against the chair almost preparing to finish his descent to the floor when a knock on the rickety door snapped him out of his daze.

A submissive sigh escaped his lips as the quickly tiring – and blurring – soldier committed his mind to answering the door. The man groaned when he stood. His low throaty growl accompanied what mostly likely would have been the creaking of his stiff muscles had his limbs been made such as the branches of an old oak.

Finally after creeping around the simple chair, Griess reached the door and jiggled the handle. Opening the door revealed a young face belonging to a boy shorter than Axyl even in his slumped posture. The tavern boy held a tin tray carrying a pitcher of water, two glasses, and a small basin filled with water a clean towel draped over the side. Also over the boy’s thin arm hung dark green cloth.

“You forgot this, sir….”

ooc: pm your way.... ;D

[untamed]

Her head swirled with uneasy nauseousness and as gravity overcame her, now frail, body a firm hold was placed on her body. His arm held her tightly against her shoulder blades and underneath her knees was more support. She went to look up to his face to reply with a disgruntled ‘thank you’ only to feel his cheek against her forehead. Her eyes narrowed, not desiring anymore physical contact by him, but she was too weak to object.

Seline figured she would have to cooperate with Soldier Man, so she laid limply in his arms as he got the key for the room. She watched as he, with much coordination, kept her firmly within his arms and opened the door with the key. She looked at the homey looking room, one she hadn’t seen in a while. As Axyl walked across the wooden floor, he explained the ‘detox’ he had offered her. Seline felt half relieved, because whatever was in her system would soon be out. The only problem was the way she had to get rid of everything.

She looked up at his face as he gently set her down on to the mattress. The soft furniture took to her curves and held her body comfortable. Unfortantly, that was the only thing comfortable at the moment, except...maybe....Seline watched as Axyl tried to comfort her even more by gently stroking her shoulder. He began to remove articles from her outfit and first was her sword. Seline wanted to object. She wanted her sword to be near, but he seemed to read her mind and kept it near her against the bed frame. Her pouch, forearm protectors, and boots were also taken off to increase comfort. Axyl informed her of what he was doing as he did so. Seline eased into the mattress.

‘I-I don’t understand a man I pledged my life to never showed me a moment’s kindness. Yet this man, that I found at a bar, has willingly taken me in for the night to care for me. Why? Why is he so nice to me?’ Seline thought. She cringed at the thoughts of the man before, but she eased as he whispered assurance in kind words. Her wild, olive eyes had become calm, sedated as she gazed at him. She closed them as Axyl turned away.

The noise of Axyl stumbling caused Seline’s eyes to open, looking around alerted, “S-Soldier man....? Axyl....?” the words escaped her dry lips as her weak words were drowned out by the knocking at the door. She couldn’t see the young tavern boy around Axyl’s muscular frame, but the young boy’s voice was heard.

Seline felt her stomach lurch. The boy had come just in time as instincts took over and Seline practically threw herself to lean over the bedside and grab the tin can. Her throat burned with bitterness and a burning sensation of stomach acid. She let out a weak whimper as her stomach forced more of the unknown substances within her stomach. Seline simply hoped that this would end soon.

[Axyl]

Turning back over his shoulder, his response came just above a choked whisper. “I’m fine.”

Opening the door, he found the young tavern with a mop of brown hair and brown eyes once full of an eagerness to help. But upon meeting the room’s occupant, the boy became a reservoir of nervousness and stuttering hesitance. Militants had never crossed the dam to complete trust. This man, he immediately saw as a soldier under Master Satazian. Even if he adorns only half his uniform, he still seemed the soldier – it was a presence never leaving its host.

Axyl thanked the boy sensing his apprehension. Casually he attempted to lighten the boy’s expression by asking his name only to be stopped the terrible sound of vomiting behind him. Immediately, both men went into action. The tavern boy quickly came to the woman’s side placing his burden on the stand. Wetting a rag and feeling her sweat-ridden brow simultaneously, young hands began about their word to cool her. Warrant officer Griess took a bit longer time of getting to the bed. With the combination of tripping over his own feet and his steadily blurring vision, Soldier Man found a harder time of crossing the room than before. At that moment, he hated his body and its strange delayed effects. After some effort, he found a bed post. Relief washed over him as he watched the tavern boy washed her with knowledgeable hands. He figured there was the possibility he would have had practice in this small pub mainly used by local townspeople.

The room wavered before him. His arms melted before the scene as the relief of seeing help subdued the adrenaline coursing through him. Earlier it had to have been the combination of adrenaline and the bar’s energy keeping him standing he determined to himself. Plus, this was about time the first drink took full effect. Looking back, he realized he had been taking in alcohol far faster than he had first thought. After a few minutes of overseeing the proceedings in front of him, Axyl slid to the floor loosely gripping the bed post in both hands. Legs folded under him as weakened arms slumped to the side.

“Master Soldier…,” the boy upon the bed attending Seline hesitantly called, “are you alright?” His voice drifted to Axyl’s ears laced with a slight accent. Presumably, he was from the local area training as an apprentice of sorts perhaps. The rags he wore alluded to that much; his family not of the higher-ups. Still, he was honest.

“Namesaxyl.” His response floated above the tired murk of his gradually hazing mind. He turned from the young voice hoping his eyes did not speak too loudly just yet. “I’m fine,” the soldier assured after a short time to process the question.

Silence settled into the room again. The tavern boy continued to wipe Seline’s brow tending to her fever with what he knew. Axyl sat at the foot of her bed. He was nothing but a slouched figure staring off into space listening to the noises coming in under the door from the hallway. His condition matched his name. Sweat started to claim his own brow; his eyes ringed with sudden fatigue. Mouth partly open, the man took shortening breathes against the humid swamp atmosphere – or at least it seemed to be getting hotter, more intolerable. Shifting to his left so his voice could be heard, Griess broke the draining stillness.

“How’s she doin?” His voice masked his oncoming slur more efficiently this time. However, his eyes spoke of truth; he could not silence those. Fatigue especially shown through brown irises mixed with worry and hope for his new companion. Also, concern visited in revelation: he needed to begin on his return trip come the morning.

ooc: I am sooooo sorry... for some odd reason my comp blocked the site.... don't know how or why, but that doesn't matter anymore.... I'm back and it feels good! ;D

[untamed]

The feminine figure of Seline shuddered with the cruel treatment it was undergoing. Once her stomach had eased it self enough, she let the tin fall from her fingers. The tavern boy had long been by her side and taken it upon himself to care for her. Young fingers worked nimbly to ease her climbing fever. Seline enjoyed the cool water of the rag against her feverish flesh. She sunk back on to the bed to a more comfortable position on her right side. She kept her eyes closed, hoping to fall asleep.

With her eyes closed, her body became more aware of her other senses. Her hearing could pick up the conversation between the two men in the room with her. ‘The boy...he’s so young...’ Seline’s delusional thoughts began to revert to the past memories. She had yet to get a good look at the tavern boy and something within her told her she didn’t want a good look.

Against her better instincts, her olive eyes opened to the scene before her. She blinked a few times to focus her blurry vision. The tavern boy, just his looks, caused her to feel sicker, but the feeling faded. ‘He looks so much like what my Alexander would have grown to be....’ she thought, her eyes became glossy.

Seline fought back her illusions to keep her composure. She at least had some sense on the subject. She looked from the tavern boy to Axyl. He had taken his place by her side, at the bottom of her bed. She heard his questions and smirked, “What an absurd question, how do you think I am doing?” She coughed roughly, raising her hand to wipe the corner of her mouth.

Closing her eyes, Seline’s smile faded. “Are you still gonna be here when I wake up Soldier Man? Or is this going to be like every other normal morning of mine where I wake up alone?” She snickered again, “But why the hell would I need you anyway?” She opened one of her eyes to peer at Axyl’s reaction.

[Axyl]

A chuckle lightly rose to the ceiling at her curt response cutting off what the tavern boy would have said. She was indeed a real woman, not some porcelain doll one could only gaze upon and not touch for fear of breaking. The man smiled to himself despite his slowly decaying condition. Axyl, leaning his head against the carved wood of the bed post, sighed at the sense of her retort. Sweat sopping his brown locks let loose a drop to tickle the unshaven shadow lining his jaw line. Pulling his head, which seemed to be gaining weight, away from the support of the bed, soldier man opened his eyes. Both weary and drunk, he had to blink the blur from his eyes a few times before making out the chair’s shape across the small room. After laughing again, he answered her.

“From yer manners, I can tell yer just fine.”

Axyl watched her from the corner of his brown eye. The smile upon her face had faded. She seemed to withdraw into a sad memory. From what he had seen of her thus far, he thought he could understand the general terms of this memory. It did not seem she possessed many fond memories concerning the topic of men. “… men, they’re usually jerks.” Her statement from the bar suddenly hit him life a flood. Of course! It’s obvious she… she… Leaving as quickly as it had come, coherent thought drowned in a sea of alcohol now beginning its rampant course through his blood.

He turned more to take her face in with both concerned eyes. Her words came as muffled as a dream. Still, he understood the question behind them… and the pain. Axyl turned away before giving her the chance to peer into his brown orbs coursing with unbridled emotion and alcoholic effects. Staring at his boots nearly touching at the end of sprawled legs, Earth’s soldier spoke.

“I’ll b’here,” he lied. Honestly, the man was unsure himself if he would be or not. Originally, he was to leave as the sun rose. He had a duty to return to Saverin tomorrow; the journey would take the better part of the day riding. “I told you I’d take carayou.” Lifting his gaze from his hardy brown leather boots, Axyl laughed again, but this time directly wholly at himself trying to lift spirits. “Besides,” the young though slurred voice continued, “I doubt I could move. I’ll be righ’here. I honestly don wish to give you another laugh at me when I fall flat onme face.”

Once more, Axyl smiled her way before returning an empty gaze back at his dark boots with his arms never leaving their slumped positions at his side.

[untamed]

Eyelids began to flutter as the detox began to take it’s last course. Her mind began to drift asleep with her eyes still open. Seline couldn’t pick up what he had replied to her, but the last thing she saw was his smile. Seline smirked, “You’re not......so bad.....Soldier Man....” her voice was strained due to her drowsiness. Will weakened, Seline succumbed to her much needed slumber uneasily.

The corner of the room was the only place that was safe, for the time being. Her dark strands of hair plastered to the side of her face along with the sticky blood from the gash on her cheek. Ragged breathing escaped her lips. Chills began to shoot down her spine from the thundering of boots against the hardwood floor. Olive eyes began to tremble at the thought of what was coming.

Seline’s screamed echoed throughout the house as her husband grabbed her hair and dragged her out of the bedroom’s corner. He tossed her down in front of the fireplace. “I d-didn’t do anything wrong...” she cried. A searing pain ripped through her side. Blinded by pain she screamed reaching for her hip, where the hot iron from the fire struck her. She looked up through tear-filled eyes as her husband set the iron down on the floor. He wasn’t finished.

Seline laid crippled on kitchen floor. Blood trickled down her forehead and began to pool upon the floor. The third degree burn had caused her skin upon her side to turn black. Bruises throbbed on her body, her legs had been the main target. Despite what her body said she should do, Seline raised herself up off the floor. The floor needed to be cleaned. If her husband returned with a bloody floor, the next time she wouldn’t be able to walk away.

Jerking herself awake, Seline looked around the room. She looked over at the window. The sun had brightened up the sky, but was not over the horizon yet. She looked down at her hands and how they quaked from her dream. She hoped that she hadn’t called out in her dream. That was the last thing she wanted the others to know. She looked back to the room, had Soldier Man stayed?

[Axyl]

Her words reached him but as a whisper upon a broken wind. Thoughts drifted throughout the expanse of his mind as if a mist blanketing the clarity of the sun. The man, becoming surprisingly peaceful in his personal ocean, floated between consciousness and sleep. Quiet calmed him. Darkness beckoned to him with the sweet song of tranquil serenity. Eyes partially closed, the light only finding his glazing orbs through a thin slip between lids. Before long, the soldier slept, but not evenly his mind jumping from violent thoughts to hurricanes of emotion.

Brown eyes popped open. Axyl jolted awake from his fitful dozing immediately springing up from a further slumped position. Hunger seized control. His stomach rumbled with a familiar ache. He staggered to the door ignoring the timid questioning complaints of the boy by the sleeping Seline’s side. He strode with lack of grace under the influence of his alcohol and with about as much dignity as his disheveled form could muster. The man tottered through their door, down the narrow hall, and to the stair case.

After stumbling down and missing a few steps, the drunken soldier caught himself by the wooden railing back in the bar area. He weaved awkwardly through the crowd bumping into more than his fair share. Falling into the counter, Axyl pulled himself up to stabilize his wobbly body. Mumbled words escaped his lips asking for something to placate his grumbling gut. Another man, both taller and broader than the lanky soldier, pressed him against the counter top racking his ribs against the edge also asking for attention from the bar tender. They both glared at each other in turn. Words blurred. Silver flashed.

---------------------

Footsteps entered through the door behind him. The young brown-crowned tavern boy turned expecting this woman’s soldier friend to swagger into the room. Surprise caught his breath as another much larger man strode into the small room; he had to duck slightly in order to avoid knocking his head against the frame. A cloak covered his mountainous form, but his head and face was fully revealed for those wandering eyes to gaze upon. Dark brown locks wavy and uncombed reached to cover the tops of his ears. His beard and mustache matching in color covered the lower half of his face, but did nothing to hide his square jaw line. With the intensity of his brown eyes to complete the picture, he possessed an air of nobility but that of the rough outdoors as well. Slung over this rugged man’s broad shoulder lay Axyl Griess a muscular arm holding his limp form steady upon its perch.

Stepping into the shabby quarters with his charge still draped over his shoulder, the strange man found his way near the small hearth in silence. On the way, he grabbed the dark jacket off its makeshift rack, the chair. He leaned forward easing the smaller man off the support of his shoulder. Slowly this unnamed man lowered Axyl onto his back first supporting his back then his head with large hands. Meaty hands coaxed the soldier onto his side after rolling the jacket into a ball and placed the fabric underneath his head and neck for some menial support.

“Be sure he rests. Do not leave him alone. He will need someone to take care of him until his head clears.”

The big man glanced towards the other two in the room. His eyes rested upon the woman on the bed for a moment. She would most likely be the one to follow him. With that, the bulkier man disappeared through the doorway again leaving Axyl there on the floor.

He rested against his left side facing the wall and away from Seline. One would notice his ribs rising and falling steadily from behind. That was about it. Cold sweat plastered his dirty brown locks in all directions from flat against his brow to straight off his head. His black sleeveless shirt had been pulled out in some places including behind him revealing a work-toned back. Also peaking out from under his shirt was another band wrapped cock-eyed around his muscles just below his ribs. A tie towards the center of his back, still covered by his shirt, had been undone. Dull throbbing consumed his head. Upon closer inspection, one would find a welt spanning the length from his closed right eye to his jaw. This had yet to reveal its color.

Not too far from his sleeping body closer to the wall rested a knife still sheathed. Its décor was simple but elegant. The sheath for all purposes was plain while the hilt presented the elegance. Ornate designs gilded in silver surrounded the earthen crest, the focal point of its art. On the short blade ran runes from an ancient dialect.

Axyl slept with a grimace fixed on his face.

[untamed]

Seline held her head, her fingers rubbed the temples of her forehead. The dream had caused twinges of pain to become physical to her nerves. Her scarred hip had stared to ache to, but she did awake to a non-existent hangover. Her fingers left her head to settle upon her hip. Her eyes closed when she winced in pain from the small touch.

She looked to her side. The tavern boy laid sleeping soundly, his face in the heavy blanket. Looking past the boy, she saw Axyl. He looked pained within his uneasy sleep. Seline moved off the bed, aware of the creaking springs. Her feet slid into her boots that Axyl had set at the end of her bed. She laced them up within seconds and made her way out of the room quietly.

She headed downstairs to the bar. There were few people left from the bight before. Most had retired to rooms that the bar offered, but some of the men had spent there entire night lounged across the bar or in a booth. The bartender had begun early and was wiping down the bar of spilt beer and bread crumbs. The bartender looked up as Seline made her entrance to the bartender. He looked up and scoffed slightly. Seline’s eyes narrowed, but kept her tranquil shell.

“Excuse me sir, do you have any bread or fruit at this hour? My f-f,” Seline paused searching for the word, “My friend will need something to eat when he wakes.” The bartender looked at her, searching her face seemingly. He sighed and went into a room behind the bar. He came back within a few moments with a loaf of bread, a pair of apples, and a knife. Seline reached out for them, “Thank you,” she said softly before heading back upstairs.

She entered the room, careful not to disturb the her sleeping companions. She set the apples and bread on the table and set up the chair. Sliding down into the seat, she picked up the bread and sliced a few pieces off of it. She set the pieces on the table and picked up an apple. Years of practice had paid off, as she began to peel the apple. She was able to peel it without stopping and keep it in one piece. The peel began to curl as she shaved the apple of it’s tenuous skin. She began to hum softly, losing sight of where she really was and who’s company she was within.

[Axyl]

Warmth seeped into the small room carried by the sun’s rays. Already the light came dappled through the canopy of surrounding wood but strong – morning had passed and afternoon coming.

Heavy foot steps strode passed their closed door while departing voices drifted in through the window even as a dull roar permeated thin walls. The ruckus of the night had given way to a new clamor of innocent laughter and remorseful moans. Even around corners and up stairs the noise crept and seeped into the cracks and crevices of the humble shelter accompanying by fragrance of the kitchen.

The dull roar of noise and the roll of hunger mixed with the pain of light made for an uncomfortable awakening. Throbbing and aching, his head had offered little reprieve during his fitful sleep and now his waking life seemed just as miserable. With eyes still clenched closed against perceptively blinding light, rolled himself slowly to face the wooden floor underneath his scrawny body. Low groans voiced his discomfort with movement. Moments passed as he waited for his head to stop spinning for even a second before he finally positioned himself on his right hip supported by a hand to hold him upright facing back towards the bed where he had left Seline the previous night. He cupped his face with a calloused hand. Tenderly he rubbed as if his headache would bite at his shaking fingers.

Pushing off the floor, Axyl caught his heavy head in two hardened palms leaving his torso to fold over and his legs to fold under his unsteady form. The small man sat still in that slouched position for some time. He rubbed temples and pinched the bride of his nose. Axyl tried to gather himself enough to at least stand moaning softly all the while.

He didn’t look upon hearing that someone was in the room with him. Eyes closed, he still tried to gain control over the nausea enveloping his mind and empty stomach. Axyl possessed not an inkling of who it could be nor did he realize where he sat. Hoping to subdue this dizzy spell sure to continue, he did not bother with looking to regain his bearings only to be consumed by the confusion again.

“Mornin,” Axyl greeted the unseen shadows before him. His voice came low and cracked. Still, it possessed his humor intertwined with that singular word.

[untamed]

Seline’s nimble fingers slid the knife through the juicy fruit. The slices fell into a cloth on her lap. Her humming had abruptly stopped when she heard movement from the floor. Seline’s olive eyes focused in as Axyl pushed himself up off the floor. She watched as he reached up to his forehead and tried to ease the pain of the hangover he was suffering from.

She listened to him grumble ‘Mornin’ but he still seemed unaware of his surroundings. Setting the paring knife on the table, she slid off the chair gently. Seline was careful not to allow the chair the scrape against the wood and create an uncomfortable squeak to Axyl’s sensitive headache. She slid onto her knees and sat on her folded legs. Her olive eyes looked him over faintly before she pushed the cloth of sliced apples into his lap.

“Eat these,” Seline’s voice was a command, no hint of faltering. She eased to her feet and went to the table and poured herself a glass of water. She pressed the glass to take a lips, but paused looking at Axyl. “Eat the apples, it will be something to soak up all that alcohol.” She drank the water and then placed the empty glass on the counter. She crossed her arms and looked back at the ground, “So what are your plans Soldier Man? You obviously can’t do much today,” she laughed, “You’re in worse shape than I am after a night of drinking. I can at least get up and not sleep the day away...It’s almost noon.”

Seline walked over to where her sword laid and picked up in her hands. Sliding it’s protective covering off, she glanced at the blade. Twirling it around in her hand like a baton, the blade caught the light from the window causing it to be reflected on the walls. “I figure I can follow you around for a bit,” Seline said watching the blade spin, “Besides it seems you’ll need someone to make sure you don’t get into trouble when you’re shitfaced.” Seline smiled deviously.

[Axyl]

For a few minutes, Axyl just sat there holding his head in calloused hands grumbling at his headache trying to stop his world from spinning. It was not working to degree he had hoped. His body jolted with a start at the soft touch of cloth in his lap. Instantly his mind filled with fear of where he was, who he was with, and what had been done.

Eat these. The command came with direct force and unfaltering authority. He stared at the fruit bringing himself quickly back down to reality even if it was a blurry one not recognizing what the pale slices in his lap were. That voice came again. It was an all-knowing, commanding, daunting, loud voice.

Slowly he obeyed knowing it was best. Pulling a shaking hand from a heavy head he grasped for a slice. The slice paused at his lips for a moment before he sunk his teeth into the meat of the apple. Chewing sounded as if the roll of thunder came from inside his head causing him to chew all the slower trying to calm the storm and the gradually increasing headache. Finishing the first, he took another.

That voice broke through the chewing. He would have had some smart-alic retort had it been any another time without the alcohol. Her words, her pet name more specifically, finally reminded Axyl of who he was with and what had happened the previous night. She was in better shape because he had taken care of her – stopped her from drinking more and got her to take the detox – before the drink had taken hold of him. It could have been worse though for him had she not been there to take his attention away from his alcohol. “Noon?” he mumbled after swallowing. “Sh… I hav ta…” his voice came broken and slurred even as his realized his predicament.

Grasping the cloth he pulled the remaining slices off his lap. With the fruit to the side and hopefully out of the way, Axyl leaned to his side supporting himself with an arm and pulled his feet under him. He knew it was not going to work to the best degree but he had to try anyway. He stood. At least he rose shakily and fell back in the chair behind him. From there he used the back of the chair to stand the rest of the way. His knife was left on the floor forgotten by its master as was his jacket still rolled into a makeshift pillow. The sound of a sword released from its sheathe reminded him of his work. “I needa go,” he argued.

The soldier began his wobbly trek to the door. “Do wha you wan… but I needa go.” Of course he was not dressed for the winterish weather outside, but he was not thinking of weather in general. He was thinking of getting back to Saverin as soon as possible. Whether or not he could make the journey now was still up in the air.

[untamed]

Seline watched as Axyl got up on to his feet, practically tripping his own feet. Seline picked herself up off the floor, catching Axyl around the waist. She pulled herself up against his body and held him tight. She knew she could be rough with him like she usually was. Usually she would grab a guy by the arm and throw him into the wall if they refused to do what was best. However, Axyl’s current condition had to be handled with care and her femininity was just the cure for Axyl’s drunken stubbornness.

“Axyl....Please....just stay here. One more day will not harm your schedule. But pushing yourself into the cold air will get you sick. You can’t get very far before it gets dark anyway. Just stay one more night.” Seline smirked at her use of knowledge of a man’s weak spot.

She pressed her front side tighter against Axyl’s muscled back. Her fingers on her hands interlocked, keeping Axyl in a warm embrace. Seline stepped on the tips of her toes and leaned int to Axyl’s ears. Seline’s voice purred with compassion, worried about Axyl’s condition. “Please....Axyl....stay with me....”

Seline was finding it hard not to laugh out loud at her fake overbearing sympathy, but Soldier Man had grown on her and she did care for him a bit. She wouldn’t forgive herself if something happened to him. A man with a hangover was just asking for trouble. She began to take slow steps back, easing Axyl back into the room so that she could close the door.

[Axyl]

Warmth rippled through his body when her figure came into contact with his own. He would not have been able to describe it but that touch just felt right. The sensation flooded through his body overcoming any hardness that remained in his muscles. His shields as a soldier were down and those as a man who could handle himself were coming down.

Muffled dialogue and footsteps echoed through the walls as life continued outside their room. Time on the inside, however, seemed at a pause at least for Axyl and his spinning head. Together they stood just inside the door. Axyl’s hand gripped the handle while Seline kept hold around his chest. Sunlight reflected around the room. The drunken soldier had to close his eyes leaving the rest of his senses to feel out the scene.

Her soft words began picking at the last of his drunken resistance. “I caht be late,” he breathed. His head dipped with unsteady weight. Yet it was quick to perk right back up with Seline’s tighter embrace. The pace of his heart picked up with the caress of her breast against the ridges of his back. He could feel her flesh shifting against his toned body under his shoulder blades. With her soft caress and beautifully comforting and enticing voice, only then did his heart begin to slow. His inhale was long, his exhale heavy.

Axyl’s barrier melted away. Calloused fingers finally slipped from the door handle releasing his body completely into her hands. “Please…” he whispered, “I… I… relay needa go.” Despite his verbal reluctance, the man no longer had any control of his actions as his muscles relaxed entirely. Like puddy in a woman’s hands, Axyl obeyed… at least for the moment until his mind rushed back to its usual state of alertness.

[untamed]

She pulled Axyl’s body into the room as he lost his will to fight her. She got him into the room completely before letting go and closing the door. She turned to Axyl and helped to guide him to the bed. “Look here Soldier Man, you’ve grown on me. And that’s a hard thing to do, especially for a man. I can have you going out and getting hurt, therefore you are staying here and resting. Don’t worry, we’ll leave tomorrow and we will hurry so you’ll still get there on time.” She helped to sit him on the bed.

“Stay there,” she warned as she went back towards the door. She went outside and locked it from the outside, therefore locking Axyl in. Her boots beat out a pattern as she walked down the steps to the bar. The late afternoon crowd had filtered in filling the bar with smoke, a dull roar of conversation, and body heat. Seline went up to the bar and took a couple coins out of her side pouch and placed them on the counter. The bartender looked up at her, and went to say something before Seline cut him off.

“No alcohol...I need a loaf of bread,” Seline said. The bartender scooped up the coins and slammed a piece of bread on the counter. It’s crust flaked from the pressure and landed on the bar leaving a mess. She picked up the bread, disregarding the mess and went back up the stairs. She picked off a piece for herself and stuck it into her mouth. She hadn’t eaten anything all day, but she wasn’t that hungry anyway.

Seline unlocked the door and went inside. Closing the door, she preceded to go and sit down on the chair. “You should eat something to absorb more of the alcohol. You may also get a headache since you haven’t eaten anything substantial all day.” She broke off a piece of bread and held it out for Axyl.

[Axyl]

Axyl went with her – not like he had a choice anymore. He listened through blurred senses as she guided him back into the room. Even flopping hard back onto the bed, soldier mentality clung to his consciousness by a thread. “Bud I hafta b’back t’night,” he argued again. Glazed brown eyes stared at the wooden floor when she ordered him once again to stay put.

The soldier turned to the window behind him. It seemed an eternity. Her footsteps became distant. Bird songs outside melded into a roaring along with the laughter and murmuring from downstairs. Staring into the world, Axyl Griess felt more than detached; currently he felt neglected, left behind by a world that cared not for him.

Click

Suddenly brown eyes turned back to the door across the room. He could not help but feel like a prisoner now held against all rational will and abandoned in a strange room far from home. A long low moan escaped his throat as he felt all control slip from his grasp. His eyes burned and his head spun. Feeling no use or rather no will to fight it anymore, Axyl folded in on himself. With his head basically between his knees and arms wrapped around his throbbing head, the soldier grumbled against his misery.

Click

This time he did not possess the will or the conscious strength to respond. His body remained folded in half with his butt on the edge of the bed. He heard her footsteps return. In the position and condition he was in, her footsteps were amplified as a prison warden’s might be amplified.

Axyl grumbled his discomfort. He should not have moved so quickly. “Not hungry,” he protested. But of course he was; his stomach rumbled for food long overdue. Unfortunately, the nausea and dizziness took priority. His whole body felt heavy and ached profusely. “I j’ wanna go home.” Axyl made no move; he only objected further to staying here.

[untamed]

Seline’s olive eyes flashed in annoyance as she ate the piece of bread she had torn off for Axyl. He was past the border of comprehension. She needed to be gentle with him or she would never get anywhere with him. She bit her lip. She was not known for her compassionate side, however she guessed she could embrace her maternal side for a night.

She set the bread on the bedside table and gently tried to break Axyl’s grip on his throbbing head. More pressure wasn’t going to help the ache. Her slender fingers ran through his hair, being easy when she hit knots in the strands. The balls of her fingers gently massaged his scalp. The pain would ease slowly, but nevertheless, it would be better than him placing pressure upon it.

She reached behind her with her left hand and broke off another piece of bread. She aimed for the moist, white inside to avoid the crunchy coating that would only irrate him more. She carefully worked his head out from the mass of limbs and pressed the bread to his lips. She could only hope that he would accept her help. “Axyl,” she paused at the use of his name, “You need to work with me, otherwise you will just be in pain...” her voice was gentle as she spoke.

Despite her harden exterior, she had once cared for someone more than her own life. He had betrayed her, and taken her trust with him. But now, staring at this man before her, she felt that warm compassion she once had for her past relationship. He needed help and she was the only one that could help him. He needed her. And little did she know that with her need for companionship, she needed him as well.