-A Day on the Town-(Nikolai, Jade)

[Desperanza]

The day was shaping up to be a rather nice one. The sun was shining, the weather was nice and there was all around a feeling of enlightened jovial enthrallment around town. Most of the towns’ people seemed to be in a rather good mood and products were flying from the market stalls almost faster than the sellers could keep them in. A perfect day to spend his time in town, Nikolai thought. It was a rare bit of time that he had off from the guard and he wouldn’t be wasting it. He fully intended to have fun today. He was dressed simply today with loose fitting black cotton pants and a bare chest. He wore the simple leather strap across his chest with the symbol of the guard emblazoned at the center and the belt around his waist that held his blade but today, he had left his bow and arrows behind for he didn’t feel the need to bring them with him. He wore metallic guards against his upper arms and his shins but other than that, he wore nothing else. His chest was primarily bare, exposing the vast expanse of toned muscle that was there. His skin, warmed by the sun was already tanned and his liquid and dark chocolate eyes gazed around himself as he ran a hand through sun streaked hair, sighing softly. He had already had quite a nice meal that he had paid for by a woman that sold meals out of her own home and he had sat out on her small front veranda while she cooked and served him a nice hot breakfast, a nice change from his typical meals of bread and jerky that he often ate around the guard camp. Now, he stood at the edge of the street glancing up and down the town street.

The Blue Boar tavern and inn would be his next destination. As he approached, he entered into the inn, glancing around himself briefly with a slight smile as he remembered the days a few years ago when he used to stay up late into the night, drinking and flirting his way through women, having his own way and ways of fun throughout life as he had prepared to enter the royal guard. Approaching the bar, he ordered a mug of simple ale, setting a pair of gold coins onto the counter, the payment plus a tip. He curled his fingers to the handle of the mug and made his way from the bar again, sipping at the golden amber liquid as he walked through the inn, gazing upon the faces of a few charming women, and a few tramps. Town whores that came to catch drunken men for business, those were the women he didn’t care for. He didn’t need a woman that sold herself for business, for he could charm his way into the heart of the ones that didn’t, the honest and good hearted women that he did want. Never the less, it was a bit too early in the day to steal away to any women’s bed just yet so instead, he traveled to the window as he sipped his ale deeply and leaned one toned arm against the window, glancing out into the street where people were beginning to gather around a handful of musicians out in the square that were performing for entertainment and coin tips. He grinned with interest and inclined his head as he watched thoughtfully.

As he stood there staring out of the window, a charming brunette approached and his gaze pulled from the scene outside for a moment to glance to the young woman thoughtfully for a moment as he arched a brow at her and nodded slightly, “Morning m’lady.” He offered politely to her. She giggled and grinned, making her way right up to him she rested a hand at his chest and peered up at him as she sashayed sweetly and batted her lashes. Nikolai chuckled quietly and straightened from the window, following the last of his ale before he set the mug to a bar and let his fingers travel along the woman’s arms to her hands, taking hold of one of her hands and spun her in a circle as she happily complied and he caught a brief drift of lavender from her as she turned. He sighed, smiling as he brought her to face him before leaning forward and brushing a gracing kiss to her lips, “Not today, darlin’.” He muttered quietly to her as he released her before he turned and strode towards the door, feeling eyes at his back but he wasn’t bothered and stepped from the inn with the brunette pouting lightly after him.

Once back in the sun, the soldier began to approach the gathering crowd out by the musicians where people were beginning to crowd around and a few women were dancing with a man or two dancing along with them. He smiled lightly, his spirits lifted by the festivities, always eager for some fun or flirting because about the only woman he came into contact with, was Lyric, the only female in the guard and he really didn’t talk much to her. As he watched, a sparkling blonde with platinum hair and dazzling blue eyes dressed in an assortment of blue and white skirts and dress whisked towards him, taking his hand as she pulled him out into the square with her, and he didn’t argue. Ever the charmer, he made his way out into the circle with a smile, rather good at dancing and finding it all quite simple and natural he turned and danced right along with her, the woman enticing herself closer and closer as she danced with him, quickly throwing herself into Nikolai’s moves for she couldn’t deny that he was quite handsome which enticed her but he gently kept his distance, still not ready to open his heart fully, he offered a light smile and moved on to another dance partner instead, another darker blonde who happily began to dance with him as well.

At times it was nearly exhausting the amount of women that approached him with interest of his heart and it was always the same. He spent time with them, they got closer, and perhaps he took them to bed now and again but then when they wanted something further, when they wanted that connection, he had yet to feel it, to feel that click with any woman, and he had refused. He had kept himself carefully distanced for quite a few years now, even way back when he enjoyed the night life and the taste of the drink with women. Even so he enjoyed the show of attention; he wanted the thrill when he wasn’t working. He wasn’t afforded many things to enjoy while he was training so when he wasn’t, though he still stood as a guard and he would be the first on the scene to the aid of anyone in need but that didn’t mean that when something wasn’t wrong that he couldn’t have a little fun in the few hours that he had to himself. So now, as he danced, he was grinning slightly, His dark eyes were alight with interest as people clapped and cheered him on, coins now beginning to fall quickly into the cup of the musicians with clangs and dings which only spurred the musicians into quicker and more exciting pieces which pulled more of the crowd and suddenly, the whole town seemed to be enjoying itself.

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Jade did not have much of a home. It was just a small cottage on the edge of town. She does not spend her days here, and most certainly does not think of it as a home. It is simply a place to rest for the night. She does not have a job, because of her disabilty most town's people refused to let her apply. So, she takes advantage of doing odd little jobs around town to people who were not so judgemental and did not think she had some sort of contagious disese. The young women earned just enough money for food and made most of her clothes herself so there was simply not a need to buy them, therefore having a constant job seems unecissary to her. After all, Jade is not a sociable person considering she's been alone most of her life. Not that she minds much, there is always something to do.

As the young women stepped out of her cottage, the day proved to be a nice one. And much to warm for her usual clothing attire. Today she wore her caramel colored hair down. She had weaved a headband, with much difficulty, out of vines and a couple flowers. It had taken her one month to make it, something that a normal person could have done in a couple days. But she, of course, had quite a disadvantage to what was deemed as a normal person. Her missing limb proved to be a bother every now and then. Jade set the headband into her hair, letting it fall in waves across her back. She rarely wore it down, but today she was going to spend her time in town. She might as well look nice. Her hazel eyes fell to the few items of clothing she possessed, and the women picked up a violet dress, tight around her waist and flowing loosely down to her ankles. The sleeves cut off at her forearm, and the neckline stopped just enough to not reveal to much chest. She wasn't one of those tramps, after all and didn't intend to look liek one. She had cut off the left sleeve and sewn it, again with much difficulty, so it covered the smooth skin of the little bump where her arm should be. She usually never wore such things that revealed her missing arm so obviously, but it was to hot outside for her usual black attire.

Jade picked the dress up and pulled it on with difficulty, it took her quite the long time to do this, but it looked nice when she was done. This was as close to beautiful as she would ever get, she decided. The young women stepped out of her cottage and onto the streets of town, trying not to draw any attention to herself. Her eyes fell onto a small gathering of townspeople, dancing and having what seemed like a jolly good time. A smile played across her lips and she walked up to the gathering, swaying softly in the crowd. A few people stepped away from her, because you know, a missing limb must be contagious or something. She watched the dancing, her gaze falling upon a man who was dancing with a lovely blonde. She had never really considered dancing, and didn't intend to today.

[Desperanza]

Nikolai’s eyes were reverted to the blonde that he danced with, a slight smile upon his face as he gazed down at her thoughtfully for a few moments before he finally began to slow with a chuckle, brushing the back of his hand at his brow against the heat as he straightened, his skin and muscles seeming to glisten with the rays of the sun as he dropped a few coins into the cup of the musicians with a grin before he scanned the crowd thoughtfully as movement caught his eye but it was of people skirting away from someone and within moments, it was evident. As his head became inclined a bit, he stepped forward slightly to catch a glimpse of the young woman that they were all avoiding. At first glimpse, she was dazzling and quite eye catching from the tendrils of rich brunette hair that tumbled down her back to the violet dress that clung to her slender form. He grinned at the sight and inclined his head, a pair of fingers touching his brow, “Morning m’lady.” He inclined with a smile to the young woman as he glanced among the crowd, curious as to why they avoided her but when he took a closer look he finally saw, quite stricken by the sight that she was missing an arm but none the less, he shrugged.

He of all people would not turn away from someone without a limb for he understood fully that the fact of a missing limb did not change a person. They were still people in there, even if they didn’t look like the rest of the people around. He had seen soldiers with missing legs, fingers and arms. He had come across men with scarred faces and injured chests. He had seen much and yet he had talked with them and lived among them. They were all just people in reality. Limbs and body parts did not represent the soul inside so he offered a charming smile to the young woman and offered a hand to her, “Do you dance?” he offered. He carefully scanned to make sure that she had legs that worked just fine, rather knowing that it would be a touch humiliating to invite her out without knowing whether she had any other strange or debilitating habits that he needed to know about.

Casting a glance among the crowd, he rolled his eyes, puffing his chest as he straightened again, “What is your problem? What do you see here? Nothing but a tamed beauty. This young woman is just like any of you. She’s more eye catching then most so I suggest we treat her as you would treat the person to your left.” He stated, his voice ringing out above the crowd and while he found it a change when he dealt with others that were missing something that should be there, he certainly did not look down upon them. The crest upon the leather strap across his chest was evident and it rang through the crowd that they were dealing with a soldier of the castle and a few faces ran paled, others wandering off now without any wish to cause trouble so once again and with a smile he turned to the young woman and offered out his hand, “Now, will you do me the honor pretty lady?” he inquired gently to her once again.

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Jade watched the crowd shy away from her with no expression playing her features, she was used to it. Her hazel eyes drifted away from them to once again watch the dancers. She saw the man again, drifting away from the blonde women. She was alarmed as he stepped towards her, and backed up a couple steps. Only when he spoke did it become evident that he was indeed speaking to her. A million questions crossed her mind before she processed what he was saying. The young women offered a smile. "Good morning, sir." She said, her eyebrows arching slightly. He was certainly the first man that had approached her in such a way. Her gaze danced across his features and toned muscles. He was not much taller than her, but that made no difference to her. Jade was not judgmental, in any way. Good looks were icing on the cake, of course, but the true form of beauty was on the inside to her. She was proof of that.

She cocked her head and tilted it to the side as he asked her to dance. "I have never considered dancing, it might not be pretty if I were to try." She smiled, then raised her hand to run it through the thick wave of caramel tresses so it flowed over her shoulder. He did not seem to mind her missing limb, so maybe it was best to take advantage of that. Jade's smile faded as he spoke to the crowd and as they scattered. When she looked at him closer, she realized he was a soldier of Ellsinora. It made sense now why the crowd scattered when he spoke. The music still played though, and there were less dancers to laugh if she indeed made a complete fool of herself. She smiled again and set her hand in his, "I would be crazy not to. But you didn't have to do that. My name is Jade, and you are?"

[Desperanza]

Nikolai’s chocolate gaze was patient as he gazed down upon the woman. His gaze was inquisitive, curious and warm for her as he looked down at her, seeming always to be a burning ember to lift other’s spirits but he had to admit for once that this woman seemed to match him on his own level, and this woman didn’t even have two arms. The fact of the matter was that she was dazzling and when she spoke, she did not seem to be full of bitterness or anger for which many who had missing limbs did and it was like a breath of fresh air. Sighing, the soldier grinned towards her. The crowd had now fallen to a more respectful din and cautiously, others made their way thru the crowd either to reach the dance floor or to wander on their way around town. Either way, his attention remained on the woman before himself. The violet brought out the beauty of her hazel eyes and brunette hair that tumbled over her shoulder. Her slender feminine frame was enticing, there was no denying that fact but besides that point he was genuinely interested in simply showing her a good time, something it seemed that many people did not do for her.

His hand remained extended to her now as he gazed at her, a slight smile touching his features still as he looked at her thoughtfully with a slight incline of his head, “Aww come on now dear, you can’t say that it matters, hmm? For dancing is what you make of it. There is no right or wrong to it.” He replied with a light and gentle tone towards her now, his eyes sparking briefly with amusement as he glanced back at the dance floor where the blonde’s watched him with wide and curious as well as yearning glances but he turned back to Jade once again with a grin, “The name is Nikolai, soldier to the castle. The pleasure is mine, miss Jade.” He replied politely to her now as he closed his fingers gently around her own with a bit of a grin, “Now, m’lady join me for a dance and we shall have a chat later.” He replied with a grin as he whisked her from the crowd, his hand dropping from hers as his fingers lightly clasped at her waist to lift her into the air and spin her gently before setting her to her feet once more as he took her hand and moved her to the edge of the crowd as he slowed his pace slightly and began to move to the lull of the music now as his eyes curiously gazed upon the woman once more.

It was curious. He had danced with many women before but it had always been the same. Just another beauty that also attempted to win his heart. Another that wanted to climb into his bed at night. Just another that wanted to call him their husband and sure, he had his choice of Lyric back at camp but it didn’t much entice him. He wanted a woman that didn’t wear trousers and was all woman from head to toe. Emanating beauty and confidence that men didn’t obtain, a process of thought that lingered more to the feminine side of things, and not to the bow and arrow for someday he wanted children and he wanted his wife to have that touch, a touch for his children that he himself could not provide. If he wanted a woman with a man’s heart he would have figured out a way to have children himself and figure out how to wash his clothes properly or cook a meal so that he did not constantly eat jerky and slices of bread. None the less, he enjoyed the yearning prospect of a wife in later years but for now, he was searching. So for now with a relaxed air and a general curiosity for Jade, he danced with her.

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"Nikolai," Jade repeated to herself, "That's an interesting name." She commented, looking slightly up at him as he pulled her among the other dancers. Her expression was one of slight embarrassment and excitement. It was refreshing to be with someone who could see past her disability. She gazed up at him, raising an eyebrow and laughing as he lifted her. This was probably the most fun she had had in quite a long time. She couldn't remember the last time she'd done something for self pleasure. Her eyes reverted to the blonde who he had drifted away from during one of the lifts. She did not look to pleased as she danced with a man who was older and not as handsome as Nikolai. She offered a smile and turned back towards her partner. She rested her hand on his shoulder as a smile touched her features. Jade was not like most other of the town's women. She did not aim to get into their head and play with their emotions, or to go home with them and be just another whore in their life. The young women had never really gotten a chance to do so, but indeed these things crossed her mind as she danced with him. If he had any interest in her at all, either as a friend or lover, then he would respect her wishes. If friendship was all he wanted, then she was happy to give it. She imagined other women that had slept with him or fallen in love with Nikolai. Maybe she was just another nobody he got pleasure from. She would soon Find out.

As the song ended, her smile faded and she curtsied awkwardly, politely nodding her head. "Thank you for the dance, Nikolai. It was indeed nice to meet you. Have a good day." She turned away and made her way back through the crowd, dropping a spare few gold coins into the container. She smoothed over her silky violet dress and swiftly made her way through town. Her mind had never wrapped around the way love worked. Sometimes it seemed to happen so fast for some people and others it was slow and steady. For her it had never happened and she didn't expect it to, but Nikolai had been so sweet to her it had confused her. She had had fun and that was that, she just wanted to keep it at that. He was a good dancer after all.

[Desperanza]

Nikolai’s smile was sincere and it stuck clear through the dance with his eyes averted to the woman before him. Turns out dancing wasn’t so hard without an arm, it seemed though he supported her the whole way through. When the song ended, he released her with a slight bow to the woman as he smiled slightly and straightened again with a curt nod but it seemed that just as quickly as she had appeared, she was gone. He blinked, his molten gaze tracing after her as he inclined his head slightly and glanced after her. He took a breath and sighed softly as he backed a few steps and edged the crowd. Something within him urged him to catch her, to inquire as to why on earth she had raced away so quickly but he sighed and paused as he watched her dart away through town. He wasn’t going to chase down the woman like a stalker, it wasn’t his nature. If she had somewhere else to be then he would let her go. He glanced after the woman though no matter how confused he was at her curt exit, he didn’t ponder it long and finally, he turned away, something he would later regret doing but he couldn’t bring himself to go after her. Somehow, chasing her down and grabbing hold of her arm didn’t hardly seem appropriate, so he didn’t.

He glanced among the people in the crowd who all watched him thoughtfully but he nodded slightly though he didn’t speak to anyone now. For a little while, he lingered along the edge of the crowd, his mind circling around the woman that he had met. She had been beautiful, kind and she had been pleasant with him. She had stuck like a bur to his brain and finally, he gave his head a shake. Now of all moments he rather wished that he had a job to do. It would be something to distract him. By this point, he was used to Lyric. That manly woman that carried a bow and arrows and acted like any of the other trainees. She didn’t wear dresses and do longer. She didn’t offer him any stirs of desire and to the best of his knowledge she couldn’t cook. He couldn’t imagine Lyric with a baby in her arms or a child on her hip. He couldn’t imagine her carrying a child at all. She didn’t entice him or excite him and so he had never felt anything for her as he had for other women that he had been around in town. Now, as he stood there gazing at the woman that were dancing in the square or even the women that lingered in the crowd and didn’t dance at all. They were all feminine and some had children at their hips or feet and some were standing with husbands, others were clapping and lingering on their own. These were the women that he could imagine himself being with.

To some extent he respected Lyric but on another, not quite so much. She was a man, a strange man in some sense of the word and it was strange and inappropriate it seemed. Shaking his head, the soldier finally turned from the crowd and made his way slowly along the street through town. He gazed into shop windows and watched the blacksmith for some time and he even bothered to stop in at the bakery and bought himself a soft buttered roll. The times that he did not work he enjoyed the good food that he could buy for himself. Jerky and bread would hold him over through training and fighting but hell, he was a man after all and one of life’s temptations was good food. He was nowhere near being overweight and everything he ate wound up being fueled right into muscle so he never worried for what he ate and all around he was a man who thoroughly enjoyed life. It was something that he lived by and now as he wandered the streets and polished off the soft bread, he grinned slightly, his mind beginning to clear a bit from the happenings a while earlier as he gazed around himself, taking up his wandering around town once again as now he headed for the weapons shop, curious as to what sort of items would be held there, curious whether there would be something there that would catch his eye.

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Over the next three days, Nikolai lingered in Jade's mind. She felt like a fool for rushing off like that, and even more of a fool for hiding in her house this long. Well, it wasn't hiding to her, just keeping to herself like she usually did. It proved to be a decent day again, not as warm but nice all the same. She hummed the same tune Nikolai and her had danced to without realization and slipped on a dark green dress. It was shorter then most women in town dared to wear, and the sleeves [well, sleeve in her case] yet again cut off at her forearm. It flowed out slightly past her knees, tighter around the waist and chest. She braided her hair loosely over her shoulder, with no difficulty. It's how she had been wearing it since she was little, and had become indeed an expert at it, somehow maneuvering her fingers to create it. She wore her weaved headband again, since she was proud of the accomplishment, and no shoes yet again. She looked into her small cracked mirror and sighed, deciding she looked good enough not to be an abomination to the human race. Jade stepped out of her cottage, a smile touching her features. She was rather happy the past couple of days, and life didn't seem so boring. Lonelier since meeting Nikolai, but not boring.


She walked to the middle of town, this time not stopping to watch the dancers but walking past to the Blue Boar. She'd been here a couple times before, but not often enough to be known by any of the common visitors or workers, unless they had really been set on remembering the one armed girl. She sat at a stool by nobody, not in the mood to be stared at or moved away from, and rested her chin on her hand. An employee of the Blue Boar looked at her, "What will it be?" He asked, averting his eyes from her missing limb to her face after thorough examination. "Cider, please." She said in a level tone, no expression on her face. A drunken man sat next to her, obviously not noticing her disability, and got up real close to her face. She could smell the whiskey on his tongue and the beer in his breath. It sickening. "Cann I buuuyyy thiss purttyyy laddyyy a drinnnk puhhleeze?" He looked at her breasts as if he were asking them. She frowned and turned away, sipping her cider. "No." She said, scooting away and ignoring the drunk.


He didn't back off, slurring a couple more words and smiling, revealing nasty yellow teeth. He took a swig of beer and grabbed her arm forcefully, pulling her closer and pressing his lips against her neck. She yanked out of his grasp and slapped him across his cheek, "Don't touch me, creep." She snapped, hearing a couple men's snarling laughs. The man growled and stood, he turned out to be very tall. He looked angry, then drunken laughter filled the air. "Ha ha ha." He slurred, pointing at her, "She's uhh missin' unnn ermm." He said, then staggered back a few steps toward his little group of men. Jade just rolled her eyes and drank her cider, she didn't get hurt easy and a few drunken comments meant absolutely nothing to her.

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[Desperanza]

Thankfully the day had not turned out as warm as it had been for a few days. The heat had broken quite a bit. Now, as he sat upon the dark grey steed, fully fitted in metal and armor he was satisfied that the heat had lessened over the past few days. The grey stallion tossed his head, dressed in royal blue from the swirling reins that were clamped in Nikolai’s leather bound gloved hands with a lancing spear in his other. Along the wooden fence at the other side of the yard was a rider upon a white horse. Nordak. They were practicing jousting. Not that it was ever required but it helped with fighting skills atop horse back and more or less it was fun to many. The spear had been softened and covered at the end with a ball of wood. It would be an impact when it struck but it would not kill him or Nordak. Now, as he faced his friend, reining the grey around in a circle, he grinned.

Small beads of sweat stained his brow and rolled down his cheeks beneath the metal. Beneath the armor that he was often dressed in, beneath the chain mail that was layered beneath that and then the cloth shirt and pants beneath that, between all the layers it could get hot. But he ignored the trickling beads of sweat and instead he focused on his friend as they charged ahead. He spurred his heels into the stallion’s sides and spurred the grey forward, thundering furiously down the line towards his fellow soldier as he approached, the lance shifted in his hand as he began to angle it slowly. As the white mare approached, Nikolai’s wrist twisted and quite suddenly, the battle was over. There was a sudden and large crash and the grey balked, squealing and screaming as he skittered to the side but none the less continued and as the crash erupted, Nikolai blinked and when his eyes once again slid open he found himself still glued to the back of the horse.

As he slowed the grey and turned him back towards Nordak and the white mare, the mare was being caught by the groom and Nordak was standing from the ground. Nikolai reined the stallion around the fence and rode forward towards the soldier that was standing from the ground. He grinned and chuckled as he slid from the saddle and passed the reins to a waiting groom, turning to offer a hand to Nordak, pulling the man to his feet with a slight nod as he pulled his helmet off, “Nice job big guy.” He muttered with a nod as he shifted the lance in his hand and the two fell into step towards the weapons closet. After returning the lance, the men headed back to the huts to gather a change of clothes after training, “Where ‘ya headed today?” Nordak inquired, glancing at Nikolai thoughtfully before he glanced ahead again, turning his gaze towards his hut as they split briefly, gathered a change of clothes and headed into the trees.

Nikolai shrugged as he made his way through the trees, brushing aside the limbs as they headed off through the trees, “I don’t really know, man. I was thinking of heading into town again.” He returned with a nod, sighing. Jade was coming to mind once again where she had seemed to stick for some time now. The past few days he had been far too busy to travel back into town and when he had returned that night from town, she had still been with him in his mind only. She had been on his mind every moment that he wasn’t thinking about training or working. As he crunched through the trees, she came to mind once again. That beautiful brunette with the dazzling hazel eyes. He sighed, closing his eyes for a brief moment before he felt a nudge against his armor and his eyes fluttered open again as he cast a glance to Nordak who was laughing.

“Thinking about women again?” Nordak teased as he eyed Nikolai thoughtfully but Nikolai shrugged, grinning, “Maybe one or a few.” He replied, not really wanting to let on that it was one in particular that he had been thinking about but for now, he let the discussions turn towards everything from what he would be doing in town to how training had gone that day, “You need to get yourself a horse man.” Nordak stated with a nod as he glanced towards her briefly before turning his gaze again as he glanced back towards the water as they approached. It was a rather large pond, somewhat like a lake and the water was of course clear, trickling from the Celeste Falls and so it was often where the men cleaned up and bathed after training or battles.

As they both stripped from their armor and chainmail and their clothes after and set to washing, silence surrounded them and he thought briefly about Jade again, smiling slightly to himself as he washed the sweat from his skin and stepped from the water once again, pulling on his change of clothes though once again he was going without a shirt the leather strap was settled across his shoulder, emblazoned with the crest of the guard and he settled his sword at his side once more before lifting his armor and glancing to Nordak as he climbed from the water as well and the men however had nothing to be shy of around each other so wandering out to the pond throughout the days and nights that others happened to be there naked or not the men didn’t care. He gave a casual wave to Nordak, “Catch ‘ya later man.” He stated before he turned and headed back to his camp to tuck his armor away before he headed off across the field and towards the path to town.

The path was well worn by now and as he made his way down the path and hit the cobbles of town, he grinned, glancing around himself for a few moments as he walked through town, curious of what he would find of interest today with the late afternoon sun held high in the sky. As he approached the heart of town, the trill of music reached him again and he smiled, remembering a few days ago when he had danced with Jade in the square. Turning his gaze however, he headed off to the Blue Boar. He figured that a good way to start was at the Blue Boar with a drink and from there he could brain storm something to do past that. As he approached the doors, people murmured softly to either side of him and he greeted them with a flick of his fingers at his brow, smiling lightly as he continued in past the wooden door, pausing as he glanced around himself for a moment but he didn’t take a full fledged notice of much of anyone just yet as he approached the bar and ordered a drink, something like fruit punch that could be bought with or without rum in it. At first he considered taking it without rum but in the end he added a pinch and grinned, thanking the keeper as he dropped the coins to the counter and lifted the glass, toasting the keeper before he took a sip of the fruity drink and finally settled to cast a better view around the tavern.

This time, as he gazed around himself, he spotted her. With the punch in his hands, he twisted in his seat, eyeing the drunk man a bit for a few moments before glancing back to her. It was unmistakable, that missing arm. It was Jade. A playful grin touched his features and he inclined his head a bit for a moment as he watched her thoughtfully but he didn’t approach. She had hurried away from him after all and he vaguely thought about approaching and inquiring as to why the hell she had run like he had a disease but he ignored the urge with a quiet chuckle and continued his glance around the tavern thoughtfully instead.

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The cool cider danced across Jade‘s taste buds as she finished it off, pressing the edge of the cup against her lips and tilting it to drain the last of the desirable liquid into her mouth. She set the mug on the counter and slid it away from her. The alcohol burned her throat, the unfamiliar taste lingering on her tongue as she swallowed the last bit. She did not drink often, and the little bit she did never had gotten her drunk enough to do anything stupid. The young women certainly did not ever intend to wallow away in alcohol and self pity like the wasted poor drunkies she sometimes saw begging for money they would simply just spend on boos. No, Jade was not a fan of alcoholic beverages and would probably never be. But sometimes, every once and a while, she had a drink or two at the Blue Boar.

Jade touched the wood of the counter she sat at, the rough texture pricking her soft fingertips and bringing back memories. She remembered the table wood, but carved into a round table. The memory was fuzzy, but she was about twelve years of age at the time. Sitting on a stool by the table, sipping at water. A voice sounded from behind her, it was a women, holding a bottle of liquor in one hand and some form of tobacco that smelled horrible in the other. She remembered the women swearing loudly at her slow work. “I give you shelter, food, and clothes. Work faster or you‘re out, out I say! Sewing isn‘t hard, even with one arm you little freak. Faster, faster or no breakfast!”

The young women opened her eyes as soon as she realized she had closed them. That women cared for her…sort of…in turn for vigorous housework for 14 years. She was an alcoholic, and died when Jade was fifteen and had already left the house. She had been a friend of her mom and dad‘s and had volunteered graciously to take Jade in when her mother and father refused to keep the disabled infant. For the first couple years, until the girl was able to work, she had cared for her like Jade was her own child. But then, the temptation of alcohol had taken her soul and killed her body off bit by bit until she was literally lifeless, depressed drunk who took her own life with a knife when she couldn‘t take it anymore.

Jade reverted her hazel gaze from the wood and lifted herself from the stool, her bare feet pressing against the floor. She stepped towards a small window, pushing the cloth curtain to the side, she peered curiously out the window. A small group of children played in the little ally way. They were laughing and jumping everywhere, singing a song that she couldn‘t hear the words to, and seeming to have the time of their lives having invented their own game that she did not recognize. She had never been much of a children person, she had never truly considered having kids. The women decided that she wouldn‘t mind having one or two of her own, but that did require something she lacked: a man.

She tilted her head as more memories flooded her mind. Her whole life as a child, she had been left out of the pointless games and sports kid‘s deemed as fun. Now, she couldn‘t blame them. Children were indeed just as clueless as adults sometimes were, judging appearance before anything else. It was such a disadvantage to those who were not born with what was assumed beauty was. Jade was lucky enough to be born with a pretty face, and would probably be of the more popular type of women in town with men falling to their toes then a lowlife in a bar if it wasn‘t for her missing limb. But alas, this was how she was born and it was certainly not going to change anytime soon.

Jade turned around, letting the curtain fall back to it‘s original place covering the small plate glass window. She leaned against the window pane for a moment, her eyes examining every face in the bar. Her forever changing sparkling hazel gaze fell upon the familiar features of the man she had yet to get out of her mind. The fresh memories she possessed came to life and the song played in her ears. Nikolai was as handsome as ever, shirtless…of course. She had yet to see him in any other way, not that she minded him showing off his clearly defined muscles.

The young women felt heat rush to her cheeks as embarrassment poured into her mind. She had certainly made a fool of herself, rushing off like that. His intentions may have been otherwise but she had not stayed with him long enough to find out and instead run off like he had some sort of a contagious disese or something. But honestly, who could blame her? It was the first time any man had showed her compassion, and the first time she‘s ever felt something for someone other than annoyance or envy, and one of the first times she‘s ever been scared. Her emotions had always been so blocked up by the walls she‘d been building up for years, but when they were dancing…

Jade swallowed her pride and walked slowly over to Nikolai, averting her gaze into his and locking it. A smile gently touched her features and she stopped a few feet in front of him. “Hello, Nikolai. It‘s been a while. I am sorry I rushed off like that. I really did have to go.” She had always hated to lie, and liars alone, but what was she supposed to say? That she was scared of herself? That she was afraid of what his true intentions were if he had any at all? The young women mentally slapped herself. He probably was just being nice. He was a soldier after all, it was his job. She was a complete fool for approaching him today. He probably didn‘t even remember her name, just the fact that she was missing an arm and didn‘t dance to well, even for a girl with one arm. But she remembered his words well, playing back in her mind. For dancing is what you make of it. There is no right or wrong.

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[Desperanza]

The time seemed to pass slowly. The lingering air in the bar was beginning to roil with the scent of sweat and alcohol and he wrinkled his nose and turned back to the bar. Instead, he came to glance into the glass of his drink thoughtfully instead, The depths of the yellow=orange liquid tapped with a hint of amber and red and when it hit his tongue a vast amount of flavors began to dance through his senses. The drink was tasty, indeed and yet in the depths of the rippling liquid he could almost see the course. That course that had hurt him just two days before. The wound was still fresh at his back, stitching visible and it had been furiously cleaned. He was a prized soldier and there was no desire to lose him to infection. It would be a downfall, the day that the guards lost one of their prized rising guards. They didn’t want him to do, or at least his brother didn’t no matter what the punishment was that he received. The bitter anger swelled in his mind. He had been perfect, he had made no mistakes and he had been determined to make it through that challenging course without making a mistake. But there had been that moment, that one moment that he had lost his focus. It had been that one moment when Jade had entered his mind.

He had been a flurry of muscle and blade as he made his way through the course but the moment he had let her enter his mind that is when he had lost his focus and he had been stabbed by the spikes. His thigh still stung and the wound in his stomach was tender. Each of the three injuries were a simple reminder of what women could do to a man’s mind. Sighing, he smiled slightly despite that. He was rather amused with the thought. Amused with the way that he had let one woman get to him, to toil with his mind enough that the gauntlet had been able to grab a hold of him. So now, as he straightened, he lifted the glass and tilted the cup to his mouth as he polished off the drink and slid the glass back to the back of the bar, ordering another of the drinks but this time without rum. While he waited, he turned on the bar stool and glanced towards the inn again as he glanced towards the people that lingered around the bar. There was a couple of women that were eyeing him by the window but he looked on. He glanced at a man that sat at his table polishing his sword, a few drunk men that were attempting to sing at a table in the corner, other men that had managed to get drunk by now and a few chattering tables scattered about. It wasn’t too bad just yet but by nightfall no doubt the count of drunks would increase. Nikolai didn’t plan to be here by then.

Nikolai thought briefly of trying to find a lady friend for the evening, perhaps to take home with him. He could feel that ripple of desire to hold a woman in his arms, to bring her into his bed at night but just as quickly as the thought started, it became stunted and he became distracted. It wasn’t just any woman that he wanted to find, it was her. It was that beautiful brunette with her hazel eyes and brunette hair. It was that beautiful feminine body with just one arm. It was that soft voice and the kindness that flowed from her tone. She was beautiful inside and out, no doubt. It was the same woman that had taunted his mind for days. It was Jade. Sighing, the soldier cast a glance to the length of the bar was she was perked up watching out of the window. Curious as to whether she had managed to spot him yet or not, he pondered whether she was actually attempting to avoid him or not. Shrugging, the soldier turned back to the bar as the glass was brought back to him and he smiled and slid coins across the bar to the barmaid before he lifted the fruit drink that now held no rum.

Nikolai typically came to the Bar and Inn to start the day with a drink of liquor but ever since those days years before when he had been rising out of his teens and into his twenty years of life, back when he truly came to taste the thick pull of liquor and the sweet love of women. When he enjoyed the night life and the festivities that he could indulge in. Since then he had ignored the pull of the demon wine and now he simply enjoyed a drink that tended to relax him a bit, not that he needed it. He was a care free man as it was. Life was meant to be lived, and he sure as hell was going to do it. Having fun was a way of life, when he wasn’t working or working out. Nikolai sipped steadily from the glass for a few moments, enjoying the crisp and refreshing drink down his throat. Sighing, he came to cast a glance from the corner of his eye, catching a slight movement.

Suddenly, here she was again. She had returned to him. Here she stood in all of her splendor and today she stood in an emerald dress instead of violet. He still could not complain. The color brought out the beautiful hazel of her eyes. Her brunette tresses against the emerald were also enticing. She was beautiful all over again and he smiled, turning to face her with an inquisitive gleam within his eyes as he glanced up at her thoughtfully, keeping silent as she spoke for a few moments. He sipped at his drink as she spoke, nodding slightly to her in reply, pondering a reply in return as he gazed up at her, “You were in a rush to go, to get away from the scary soldier.” He replied with a gentle tease to his tone.

He fell silent for a moment, curious as to what the hell he was supposed to do now. Usually, this was all effortless. Women were easy to court typically but when he looked up at her, he was fresh out of ideas. It had been effortless a few days ago when he had taken a dance with her but soon afterwards she had run away from him, so what was his retaliation supposed to be? He remained thoughtful for a few moments before he spoke again, “None the less, I hope you enjoyed yourself before you had to go.” He replied with a curt nod in response before he finished his drink and set it aside, waving the barmaid away when she offered to get him another and now, he turned back to Jade and stood from the stool, rolling his shoulders with only a slight flinch at the corner of his eyes at the tug of the stitches and the broken flesh beyond the sewn skin, the wound was still healing no doubt as well as in his thigh and stomach. He sighed, smiling to her once again, “You’ve caused me a lot of pain, you know.” He stated but he left it at that, not letting her in on the fact that it wasn’t just because she had run away from him, but because he quite literally had to endure pain for her. She had caused him to lose focus at a rather inopportune time. He had been lucky that he had not actually been in battle, for he would have been dead. Inhaling slowly, he offered a gentle smile to her again but for now, he fell silent as his own molten dark amber eyes met hers steadily now as he allowed room for her to speak once again.

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[love]

Thoughts ran through her mind as he spoke, and Jade flashed her hazel eyes around the bar. She saw women eyeing either Nikolai or her, mostly Nikolai. She could see why. Her gaze ran down his bare chest to his sculpted arms and face glistening with slight sweat. His enticing amber eyes were mezmerizing as she started up at him. He was a sight to see, and of course, the fact that he was a soldier made his physical appearance just icing on the cake. She smiled at his comment, and shook her head and laughed lightly at his teasing tone. "No...I just needed to sort some things out that were going on in my head. And I did, so here I am." It was less intimidating to her that he was a mere inch taller then she was, and easier to talk to him without having to look up. She liked it. She was considered a rather tall women, taller than average, but most men she had met before were over 5'10.


Jade cocked her head as an amused smirk touched her lips. She had indeed enjoyed herself very much before rushing off. Dancing had proved to be very fun, indeed. The young women couldn't remember the last time she'd come outo f her shell and actually enjoyed life to it's fullest. She couldn't remember if she ever even had done anything for fun. "I did enjoy myself, indeed..." She said, letting her voice trail off, her eyes falling to the floor for a moment, then back to his devine features. "I trust you did as well, yes?" She asked, her sculpted eyebrows raising up on a question. She stared over his shoulder, at a group of men who were attempting to sing. The piercing sound was off key and the lyrics were slurred. It crossed her mind maybe this wasn't the place to have a chat with Nikolai, in a bar with a bunch of drunken men and whores.


She did not often come here, not even as a teenager. The young women had endured a lot through her full 20 years of life and had not exactly had a completely normal life. She had indeed been living alone for around six years total, when normally a teenager would leave around seventeen or eighteen years old to start a life of their own, depending on the parents and young adults themselves. But having left what was considered a home at fourteen years of age, Jade had matured a lot faster then most teenagers and had managed to stay out of most trouble. She was not ignorant or naive, and certainly did not lack intelligance in any way shape or form. What she lacked was sociability and the obvious, an arm. Although talking to Nikolai was easier, considering he showed little curiosity for her disability and more interest of what lays beneath physical appearance. To her, it was like a breath of fresh air. Except ten times better.

Her head snapped up as he mentioned that she had hurt him, and she noticed him wince while lifting himself from the chair. She gently touched his shoulder to turn him so she could get a clear view of the injury on his back. The gash looked painful, but showed no signs of infection to her. She was no doctor, though, so that must make a difference in her point of view. She shook her head in confusion, her hazel eyes showing slight worry and offence to the fact he mentioned she had caused this. "Excuse me for not knowing, Nikolai, but how is it that I caused this?" She glanced around the bar for a third time, the thick smell of sweat and alcohol finally getting to her, and the loud singing and yells pounding her ears. "Also, would you mind continuing our conversation outside? It's rather...loud in here."

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[Desperanza]

The young man watched Jade with interest, his darker eyes scanning the woman from head to toe. He realized that most women would either feel stripped to the skin, or enjoy his raking view and he also knew that it was not the most respectful way of catching a woman but come on, he didn’t do it in disrespect, he did it in curiosity and wonder. His gaze quickly came to meet her own hazel one once more and his own chocolate eyes seemed to take on a rather adoring look for the woman as he looked down at her thoughtfully. He didn’t see her as missing an arm. He rather didn’t see anything wrong with her at all. He saw a whole woman, beautiful and kind and intelligent. He didn’t see a stump where an arm should be, he simply saw her as a whole, and not in parts. He saw her as Jade, and not as the woman with one arm. He didn’t consider the fact that she even had a disability and if one were to watch her, she was indeed sufficient in taking care of herself so how would one know or stop to think that there was anything wrong with her? He rather found it more enticing that she could care for herself. She was beautiful in every way shape and form. In his past, there were women from every kind, beautiful on the outside but not so much on the inside half the time. Hence why they only stayed in his bed one night before he moved on, at the most a few nights but any word of further emotional attachment and Nikolai was out the door but now, he considered the thought of this woman before her and as he gazed down at her, he smiled. He listened to her words and nodded in reply and spoke, “I had quite a bit of fun in fact. I have to admit that you happened to be a better dance partner then the other two I had danced with on that day.” He replied with a smile as he looked down at her, lifting a hand to brush his fingers gently along her cheek. Sighing softly he straightened once more, holding his breath as he turned.

He felt her fingers at his shoulder and turned to allow her to inspect the wound at his back, his right hand coming to flutter over the wound to his stomach by his hip. His eyes drifted closed for a moment, thankful that his pants happened to cover the wound on his left thigh now as he turned back to face her again with a faint smile, nodding slightly in return and he had to agree at this point that he had spent just about enough time in the tavern. Noise spilled in from all sides, men already growing drunk in the late afternoon hours and whores were weaving their way around the tables trying to find clients. This wasn’t really his scene anymore. Past coming to get a drink or a refreshment, he didn’t spent so much time here other then the fact that this part of town typically helped him catch a lady for the night. At the moment however, he was only interested in speaking with Jade. As he pulled from the bar, he nodded thoughtfully to her with a slight smile as he glanced towards the door thoughtfully for a moment before turning his gaze back to her again, “Yes, come. We can sit outside and speak.” He replied softly to her now as he lowered his own hand to take hers gently within it before he led her from the inn and out into the warm afternoon sunshine.

Pausing, Nikolai gazed around himself thoughtfully as he looked form one thing to another between the shops and the people milling around town. He motioned to the market a few yards off down the street, “Come to the market with me, we can catch a bite to eat and perhaps now you will offer me some of your time?” he inquired with a slight smile as he tilted his head and cast a glance to her briefly before he turned his gaze again as he glanced off towards the stalls where people were lingering and selling their wares, others paying for everything from jewelry to produce. It would be the perfect setting for a little while, not nearly as obnoxious as the tavern had been and there were wooden tables here and there for people to sit and chat at now and again. He cast a glance to Jade with a slight smile before he turned and stepped off, leaving her with the decision whether to follow or to stay put again as he made his way off towards the market not at a rushed or quick pace, rather obviously leaving a margin for her decision.

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[love]

Jade followed him out the door, gently touching the stump and her shoulder which had began to ache. Sometimes that happened, not that she knew why. She flinched slightly as if grew sharper and More consistent. Every few days or so this happened. Sometimes it was unbearable, other times it was faint. This time was in the middle, just on the edge of being able to ignore it. She forced herself to push it to hate back of her mind and stopped messing with it, her hand dropping to the side. She distracted herself by filling her mind with the song they had danced to, not humming it out loud but rather in her head to take her mind off of the pain she was feeling. Better. Much better, already. She turned her full attention back to Nikolai, the pain fading to a dull ache.

She was not offended by the way he looked at her up and down like that, but simply brushed off the thought. They had such different lifestyles, she was most likely the most...different girl he'd even been with before. Jade pondered the opposite life's they'd been living for the past 20 years or so. He was a mighty soldier, handsome and brave, girls tending to his every need. She had no consistent job, just barely getting by on enough food to be healthy, and repelled most men because of her disability, obviously. She thought about all those other beautiful girls he'd been with before, and wondered why nothing had been turned into a serious relationship. He was a sure catch and any women would be lucky to have him, but why had he not yet chosen? She again brushed off the thought, finally just accepting the fact he was with her now and that was all that mattered, but she was cautious all the same.

"Why thank you, I have never danced before then so that is quite a compliment." She said, a smile playing across her soft features. She was not like the other whores in town, and there were many, she was genuine and kind, but afraid to accept anyone that was being nice to her. Jade wasn't going to give herself up to just anybody, not that she'd ever had the chance, but she was not desperate for a relationship or to get in bed with any man who fell into her path and showed any type of interest in her. Nikolai seemed kind enough to respect her wishes, and seemed to look at her as what she wanted to be looked at rather then just 'the armless girl' as most others did.

As he walked off, Jade gave a slight roll of her eyes and followed, falling into step beside him. Of course she would follow, she'd be crazy not to. She again, was not desperate to be loved but just to find a friend. If it turned into something more, she had no control over that but for now friendship was all she seeked in him at the moment. What he wanted from her seemed to be the same. "I will come to the market with you, of course. My time is not valuable, as I have much of it, but the market sounds nice." She smiled again, her eyes then returning to the wound on his back. "I can hardly see your wound as my fault, considering it is not in my control whether I linger in your mind to distract you or not."

[Desperanza]

The town was buzzing with people however it was not nearly as obnoxious as the inn had been. People milled around here and there and others dropped coins into the hands of the sellers before walking away with their wares clasped in their hands. Children ran about, straying not far from their parents as they darted about giggling with their hands in the air. Nikolai’s gaze watched the children thoughtfully for a few moments with a slight smile, briefly thinking curiously of having children of his own someday with a small sigh. Taking a breath, he pushed the thoughts away as he became aware of Jade at his side. It wasn’t but a moment that he walked ahead alone before she had joined him and he offered a slight smile to her as he cast a glance to her and furrowed his brow for a moment. “Are you all right?” he inquired gently to her as he watched her carefully for a moment before pulling his gaze away again as he glanced around himself thoughtfully for a moment instead. As he made his way into the market and strode amongst the market stalls, his eyes traveling over everything from jewelry to things that were edible. There were things from turkey legs t o stalls with small cakes and sticky buns where children lingered with eager eyes at the sweets that were offered there. With a slight smile, Nikolai strode forward to the stall, fishing into the small pouch at his side to take a few coins out before passing them to the market stall owner who smiled lightly and allowed the children to have their pick of the sweet rolls before darting away with squeals of delight. Nikolai laughed softly and turned back to Jade with a smile as he motioned for her to continue again and fell into step beside her once again.

Glancing skyward, Nikolai cast a glance to the swirling white clouds above, the golden rays of sunshine that bathed the town below and he sighed softly, closing his eyes slowly for a moment as his mind trickled back to his training a few days before. The training that had gone awry. He gave a slight frown at the thought and flicked his eyes open once more, casting a glance towards Jade once more with a thoughtful expression for a moment before he lifted his gaze once more, keeping silent now as she began to speak and he nodded slowly in reply, thinking briefly before he replied, “Perhaps I did not mean my body.” He replied as he cast a glance to her again before looking around himself. But as he opened his mouth to speak, he shut it again as he made his way forward to the stall approaching to his left. It was a floral stall with a woman standing behind the counter as she flicked through the sets of flowers that she was bundling and setting out for sale. The woman traveled often into the trees to achieve the bundles of flowers that she now sold for coins. Nikolai approached and offered the woman the coin that she asked for, gathering a trio of white roses with a light grin as he nodded slightly to the woman and thanked her quiet before he turned to moved back to Jade once more. His fingers worked their way and down the stems, picking off the thorns carefully before he offered the roses out to her, “Well then, madam, please accept this gift of apology for blaming you for leaving me in the square a few days ago.” He replied a teasing grin on his face as he looked down at her thoughtfully.

Nikolai’s smile was genuine but held a hint of a mischievous glint to it as he looked down at the woman. She was not much shorter then himself, he noted, but there was still a definite difference between them. He stood slightly higher than her which brought them closer in size but the thought was only brief before moving on again as he held her inviting hazel gaze, curiously looking to her eyes with a slight nod, “Come now, you’re not going to let me hang here, are you?” he inquired teasingly to her this time. He heard the brief chatter of children, the caw of a crow and other coins jingling as they were passed from one hand to another while the softer chatter of other people reached his ears. It was still quieter then the inn had been, no doubt. There were no drunken men here and everyone spoke in the manner as if they were not afraid of being heard without shouting it across the street. It was pleasant, as Kiyer always had been. A charming town nestled right up to the gates that led into the castle. All around it was a charming town with people bustling about with their duties and friendly faces popping in quite often and though you had to throw in a handful of whores or thieves now and again, what town didn’t have that? Kiyer had always served him well from women to drinking and right down to his job and it seemed as if fate was tipping into his favor yet again. He couldn’t say that he was falling for her just yet, for he was apprehensive about things of that sort but he did enjoy her company and for now that was enough.

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