[hr][hr][center][h2][b][i][color=b8860b]Keystone[/color] & [color=82ca9d]Sana[/color][/i][/b][/h2][/center]
[b][center][color=b8860b]Location:[/color] Crossed Swords Inn & Tavern, 2F Private Room [/center][/b][b][center][color=b8860b]Interacting With:[/color] Each Other [/center][/b][hr][hr]

	[color=b8860b]"Right."[/color] Keystone responded, eager to get himself and Sana settled in, and by extension, reasonably defended for the evening. Totally misreading the intent of her outstretched hand, the large man stepped inside of it, causing her arm to settle behind his neck. [color=b8860b]"Up we go then..."[/color] he mumbled, bending down and wrapping his arm around Sana's hips. He lifted her easily from the staircase and started up, his other hand trailing the banister (just in case). It certainly took less time than grabbing her hand and giving her an assist. 

	Sana hadn't been expecting that. Cocking a brow as she was lifted off the ground and basically toted up the stairs. What she had expected but a small assist. Him taking her hand, giving her something to lean against, make sure she didn't end up taking a tumble backwards and falling on her ass. Yet there she was, being lifted as if she was nothing in weight and hoisted up to the top of the stairs. Smirking some she was grateful he wasn't at least tossing her over his shoulder and carrying her like a sake of potatoes. Last thing she needed was her rear-end sticking straight up in the air right then. 

	Once at his reserved room, Keystone noticed a couple of interesting points. First off, his coat and pack had been delivered as requested. He made a mental note to make sure all of his belongings were accounted for, but that was an issue for a little later. Secondly, this was not the same room he used a week ago. It wasn't much bigger, though. Secondly, there were two (near identical) beds rather than one, as requested, but they were pushed together for the sake of saving space. And Third, the claw foot tub that was present in his earlier accommodations was in a separate, adjoining room. This one was right in the room. To one side, but right there, nonetheless. 

	Looking around the room slowly Sana's brow rose a bit more. Just what in the world was going on. She didn't have a problem sharing a room with the big brute, (I'll call the Brute Squad. I'm on the Brute Squad. You are the Brute Squad!) but pushed together beds and the bath right there in the room, not even a screen to be had? This was a turn of events she hadn't expected. His second unexpected action of the evening. Did he not know about the room or was this planned? She gave Keystone the benefit of the doubt on this subject. The man might be damn fine in battle but his enticements of the fairer sex, from what she had noticed, didn't involve a romantic setting. She half figured him more of a club them over the head and drag them to the cave type. 

	The thought crossed Keystone's mind that he underestimated the value of silver this far out in the sticks, and his last room was probably one of the better ones, considering the amount he offered and the tiny amount of change returned. No matter, the bed was a welcome sight. If he could effectively bar the door and window from unwelcome visitors, he might even be able to get some actual rest. Of course, he doubted it greatly. Most undead didn't care if the sun was out or not, definitely on the lower end of the "rotting bastard" hierarchy. If they were under the control of a reasonably thinking master, it might serve as an very effective time to attack without penalty while the puny Humans were stumbling about in the dark. Hence, the barricading of the door and window, if possible. 

	A decent showing of steam rose from the bathtub, indicating that they were indeed not too late. But with this [i]in the room[/i] with them, there arose an interesting predicament. [color=b8860b]"Ah, Miss Sana?"[/color] he began, setting her down on her feet gently. [color=b8860b]"You want I should stick around, or you think I ought leave? Makes no nevermind to me, mind you, but I ain't wantin' to piss you off. And I ain't keen on gettin' slapped at in th'face, y'understand."[/color]

	Sana looked at the bath and went to try to move but she felt the fatigue setting in. This was about to get really awkward really fast. Maybe she should have asked Satilla to help her, or even Cyneburg, but too late. Damage done. Might as well suck it up and get it over with. [color=82ca9d]"Actually, gonna need yer help,"[/color] she said keeping her eyes on the bath water and very thankful it wasn't smelling of flowers and fruit. [color=82ca9d]"Tight leather ain't exactly easy to peel off, especially after days of being out in the woods and fighting. So, over there,"[/color] she said motioning towards the tub. [color=82ca9d]"Time to play [i]if you grab the wrong body part slapping's gonna be the least of your worries."[/i][/color]

	Keystone looked at her with a smirk of sarcasm. [color=b8860b]"But lookin's fine, right?"[/color] He shook his head. [color=b8860b]"Listen, your pretty arse ain't 'xactly what I'm after this evenin', alright? Don't go gettin' me wrong - things being different I'd be soft in the bloody 'ead, turn a lady like yourself down."[/color] Keystone stepped over to the other side of the tub and held his arms out, tilting his head to an upward angle to better view the amazing carpentry of the ceiling just then, [color=b8860b]"But near as I can tell, you ain't some servin' bint what I can ply with strong drink, nor're you the kind what sells your affections. You're decent folk, Sana. An' I know this's lookin' right suspect. That outta the way, we got bigger worries than me grabbin' a handful of naughties on accident. Let's just do this and have it be done."[/color]

	Sana let a coy smile come to her lips. Her hips swayed slightly as she moved carefully over to the tub. Slipping beneath his outstretched arms and coming up between them, her body lightly pressing back against his chest. Brushing her hair to the side to reveal the slender slope of her neck and the leather tie of her top. Her voice came through as warm silk when she finally spoke. [color=82ca9d]"You forget, I am gypsy first."[/color] Gypsy, courtesan, the Rawn Troupe was known for their seduction and charm. Their most prized raised to be able to extract what they wished and needed from any court. 

	Granted, even though Sana had been raised to take over for her troupe, for her people. She knew the steps, she had the skill, and before her burns she once had the beauty. What she didn't have was the ability to keep from laughing right then. Keystone was more than just some mark to her, a friend and perhaps more. Which was why she couldn't keep it up. A loud guffaw coming from her lips, right before she felt her teeth would shatter if she had kept it in any longer. After a few minutes of holding onto the side of the tub laughing her proverbial ass off, she finally was able to speak between giggles. [color=82ca9d]"Oh fer crying out loud. Untie me and help me out of these shorts. You looking isn't going to hurt a damn thing, so just watch what your doing."[/color]

	Keystone's face expressed a small amount of irritation as his eyes lowered to view Sana getting awfully cozy with him. Women had, on occasion, attempted to sway him with more physical favor for their own reasons, thinking him stupid or an easy mark. Perhaps it was on account of his massive stature and the fact that the marks of a hundred fights upon his face and body tended to be somewhat offputting, possibly to the degree that would make him starved for a woman's attention. They were incorrect, of coure. It was a lesson he learned earlier in life. In this case, he honestly believed Sana was just screwing with him. 

	[color=b8860b]"You are a right solid twat, d'ya know that?"[/color] The look on his face unchanging, he mechanically pulled the knot to her top free and snatched down her leather shorts. While impressive, her shape still wasn't foremost on his mind. [color=b8860b]"Mind you save a bit of that heat, Miss Sana. I might want to wash my arse, too."[/color] 

	[color=82ca9d]"I know, only fitting you are stuck with me since you are a right solid arse,"[/color] she laughed as her clothing fell away from her body and she used Keystone's arm as a balance to help her climb into the tub. Resting down she relaxed a bit as she looked up to him. [color=82ca9d]"Aww now, remember I am a right solid twat, why would I save any warm water for you?"[/color] she said with a smirk on her lips. It was obvious she was messing around as she started washing herself carefully but quickly even as she spoke. 

	[color=b8860b]"Yeah, I'd imagine you'd be actin' spiteful"[/color] mumbled Keystone, untucking his shirt and walking over to his pack. He hefted it onto a small table nearby, rummaging through it until he produced a small bottle of hard, white porcelain. [color=b8860b]"This ain't as brash as ale, Miss Sana. Point of fact, little softer than the water they're servin' 'ere. Shou drink, this is. Made from plums. Why don't you see if it 'elps numb that throat a bit?"[/color] He allowed himself a look as he offered the bottle to her. [color=b8860b]"And hows about you tell me a little 'bout them scars? Every one's got a story. I should know."[/color] 

	Sana smirked a bit as she reached out and took the bottle. Resting back in the tub, not caring if he did look or not. She was not ashamed, she learned to put that behind her long ago. Taking a small sip she perked a brow. It was stouter and also tasted much better than what she had sampled downstairs. Leave it to Keystone to keep something tasty stashed away. Thinking on his question she took another long pull and closed her eyes. 
	
	[color=82ca9d]"Hounds, slave traders, and fire,"[/color] she said thinking back on that night. [color=82ca9d]"Myself and two other women left a town that had been besieged by slave traders. Attacking them at their camp. During the fight hounds latched onto my shoulder and leg."[/color] Her eyes opened as she lifted her leg from the water and showed the puncture marks on her left thigh and calf. [color=82ca9d]"The burns came later, tossed into a fire during the fight. Why the scar stops where my bracer is worn. I was lucky enough I guess, my face was spared for the most part."[/color] Shrugging she sat up in the bath and wrapped her arms around her legs and resting her chin on her knees. [color=82ca9d]"It could have been worse and in the end I guess it was worth it. I found my parents. Father alive near death, mother dead. My troupe captured long before then unknown to me. Father died in my arms and in a pit I found my last blood, a tiny cousin: crying in the arms of my dead mother."[/color] Shaking the memories from her mind she took another swig of the plum drink and held the bottle back out to him. 

	[color=82ca9d]"Come on, help me out. Your turn,"[/color] she said as she rested her free hand on the edge of the bath and started to stand up. Seemed she had said her piece and gave him the answer to the question he asked: other than that she wanted to move on. 

	He accepted the bottle, taking a taste for himself. Nodding gravely at the story unfolded in front of him, Keystone could understand and even sympathize with tales of tragedy and the marks borne by those that survived. The large man reached out and assisted in Sana's grand tub exit, snatching up a nearby towel and handing it over to her. Rather awkwardly, he managed to get out, [color=b8860b]"Bloody badges of honor, Miss Sana. Earned every one of 'em. Don't you ever think they've made you less."[/color] Then a quick subject change, [color=b8860b]"You got anything to sleep in, then? Proper bed an' all. I might have some woolen item or another that'd be a good-enough nightshirt in this weather."[/color] 

	Taking the towel Sana dried off and shook her head. Reaching for her bag and pulling out a white cotton tunic. [color=82ca9d]"This will work, now get your solid arse washed."[/color] Slipping on the shirt she carefully climbed into bed and rested back as she looked over to him. If he looked then she would look, it was only fair in her eyes. She wanted to say for the love of god for him not to do what he did last time he was in the tavern but she kept her mouth shut. Best not to poke the Kraken. 

	[color=b8860b]"That'll do, then."[/color] remarked Keystone about the shirt. Without so much as a warning, The Man Without Shame dropped his clothing and bracers from his body on the spot, letting it fall heavily upon the floor. The coverage of his own scarring was bared for Sana to see, extensive and varying. The fresher ones were apparent, but older ones crisscrossed over his flesh like a roadmap drawn by a raging blind man. He climbed into the tub and immediately set to scrubbing the last few days from himself in a fast and expedient manner. He briefly toyed with the idea of taking his great knife and shaving the week's worth of hair from his face, but ultimately decided against it. He did desire rest. If they weren't all dead in the morning, he'd have no problem parting with a silver coin for that Dwarven fellow downstairs to ply his trade. Around armed folk, of course. It is a foolish man to fully trust a strange barber in times of conflict. [color=b8860b]"Go on an' get some sleep, Miss Sana."[/color] suggested Keystone. [color=b8860b]"I'll bar up the door an' whatnot. Make sure we get a decent breakfast come tomorrow, too. You just rest."[/color] 

	Sana cocked a brow seeing the scarring. She was sure there was a story behind the lot of them but if either of them wanted rest that evening it was best to leave it for another day. With everything going on curiosity could wait, sleep was needed. Especially if they had any more runs ins like the one they had at the Orc encampment. [color=82ca9d]"Sounds like a plan, you can tell me about your scars once things calm down,"[/color] she said lightly before rolling over onto her side and getting comfortable. [color=82ca9d]"Make sure you get some rest as well. Night Keystone,"[/color] she added before letting her eyes drift close and allowing sleep to finally take her. 

	[color=b8860b]"Yeah, I'll do that."[/color] replied Keystone, addressing both the statement about his scars and her suggestion about getting rest. [color=b8860b]"G'night then, Sana."[/color] 

	Keystone gave his head one final dunk into the bathwater and emerged from the tub. He quickly toweled off and slipped into a thick, loose pair of canvas pants. Forsaking a shirt of any kind, he clipped his Dwarfcraft bracers back onto his arms. The door was next. Standard in this place seemed to be a decent bar to set across the humble wooden portcullis. Less expensive than a bound lock and more secure. The window shuttered and latched, although it was dubious how long it would last against an attack. Well, no matter. It was better than sleeping under the stars. Much better. And Keystone did want actual sleep. Meditation was an amazing way to stave off the need for it, and for weeks at a time. But he was not so talented at it that he could ignore true sleep forever. 

	Satisfied that Sana, himself, and their belongings were as secure as he could make them, Keystone settled back into the double-bed next to the already dreaming Sana and drifted off into what passed for restful slumber, given all that had happened.