[h3][center]To Flirt, Or Not To Flirt? What Could It Hurt?[/center][/h3]
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[center](A Foxie and Poo collab)[/center]
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[i]The Flowing Bowl - Anvil, Evening [s]8:00pm[/s][/i]

The small shower of rain outside covered Alim’s cloak in a vibrant, glistening cape as he entered the warm Inn. He’d been at Anvil before during his travels, once. Though he had only deigned to stay for a few days. Back then he had been traveling north swiftly, and he didn’t have time to appreciate the architecture or the people. 

Once inside, he slipped off his cloak to reveal his sporting, rakish attire of Redguard clothes over his fit body; his long black hair tied at the back and a small goatee forming around his fine caramel chin, though it still looked far more like a 5 o’clock shadow at this time. He glanced about the room to see where he could find some service. He was pretty parched, not to mention he had not had a truly well cooked meal since the Imperial City attack. 

She sat at the far end of the counter where Tobias had settled down by her feet as she waited for Marius to return with a key to her room. A bottle of wine, still fairly full, occupied her attention. Her fingers traced over the woven netting, watching as the liquid seemingly black under the green glass swirled like a contained maelstrom. Her thoughts wandered over the events of the day, at least she had found the vendor that peddled soul gems, she had made roughly 75 septims in her services over the day, not to mention she still had her other coin stashed in he coin pouch. Every few minutes, she glanced over her shoulder, unable to shake the uneasy feeling she felt. 

Alim looked around for a waitress or someone to attend to him, but they all seemed busy. If only he- 
[i]Hello[/i] 
The spellsword’s eyes passed over a lovely woman, something he saw often enough. Only this one he recognized, and he did a double take. It was the new member of the group, Rhona was it? He did wish to find Anifaire, but it was getting late and perhaps she was asleep. As he realized just how lovely Rhona was, he decided he would catch Anifaire tomorrow. Instead he approached the woman, now idly sipping some wine. 

“Hi,” he said, his lips curved into a cordial smile and his eyes friendly. “Room for one more? If I’m not intruding, that is.” Alim’s words were unexpected, causing her to flinch hard, as if struck by lightning. She turned to look at him, her eyes wide with surprise, as if she were expecting someone else, then softened. 

“...No, of course not. Take a seat. Alim, is that right?” Rhona found it exceptionally hard to trust Redguards after the heartbreak Sayyid left her, but from what she had seen on the journey, and perhaps it was her naïveté speaking, Alim appeared to be a decent person, not to mention exceedingly handsome, that was besides the point of course. 

“Would you care for some wine?” She offered, sliding the bottle over to him as her gaze lingered. 

“I’d love some, thank you.” He said, a light and playful tone to his voice. He caught the bottle and poured himself a glass. “Also you’re quite correct. I was only at the fire for a short moment so you must have a good memory or I made quite the impression.” He joked, smiling and wiggling his eyebrows. Rhona blushed, mostly out of confusion. He gave a chuckle and shook his head. “I was hoping to get to talk to you since we hadn’t been formally introduced. I didn’t think I’d find you here in such a comfortable format. What brings you to the group?” He took a sip of the wine, savoring the taste before adding as he held a hand up ‘if you don’t mind my asking.’

[I]The face of any Redguard is hard to forget.[/i], is what she would have said if it didn’t sound so condescending. She shifted on her seat so she could face him better. With care, she contemplated his words, as such, a long pause came between them from hesitation.

“Durantel is my mentor. He… is teaching me how to defend myself proper.” She chewed on her lower lip, before continuing, “And, until now, there is safety in numbers. For the time being, I would rather be in the company of such a large group, than be alone on the roads.”

“That is a wise policy” he admitted with respect, raising his glass to her.

“And yourself?” Rhona asked, relieved to direct the conversation back to him. 

Alim took another sip of his wine, and he laughed lightly, almost embarrassed. “My reasons are far less pragmatic. Or at least they were initially,” he admitted. The Redguard spellsword placed his wine down, and with a flourish of his hand, an iron dagger appeared, and the quick gesture that made it rise to land upon his fingertip as he balanced it by the blade almost seemed to defy gravity. “I’m partial to danger, which is why I took up the career of adventurer. The title sounds extravagant but I essentially explore wilderness and dungeons and sell the loot or bring back the bounties I find, or I take scouting contracts.” 

He snapped his fingers and the dagger spun twice before he caught it by the hilt, sheathing it once more. “I’m also an accomplished musician, thief, and tomb robber, but I try not to advertise two of those three.” His grin showed his teeth. 

Alim had an eccentric personality, and rather charming at that, her gaze focused on the dagger dancing between his fingers. Her shoulders drooped, the tension slowly subsiding like a rainstorm on a summer day. She found herself smiling, and shook her head, “I’m certain the ladies love you just the same.” Rhona reclaimed the bottle of wine from him, her eyebrows raising as she did so.

Alim had to admit she had a charm about her, smiling with an amused look. She had a very calming but attractive way about her. “One or two, but honestly I usually don’t really have much time for women other than a bit of flirting, even if it might be fun.” he said. “My main interests are taking jewels and getting into danger, which is about as intelligent as it sounds.” He swirled his wine in his drink. After a moment, he asked “How do you like the group, so far?”

Tobias slipped out from between her feet and butted the sole of Alim’s boot, causing Rhona to look down, she smiled, “Tobias… come now.” She reached to the small loaf of bread on the counter before her, and tore off a hunk, giving it to him. 

“It’s larger than I expected. I traveled across Cyrodiil for a couple years with my old lover, Aurelia, and her friends. Just the five of us. That’s when where I learned most of what I know now… and now I just offer my enchantment services to those who have the coin. I enjoy the freedom, but it’s nice to be surrounded by those who are strong, and can handle danger. It’s relieving, though I haven’t had much time to spend with the others, and now I don’t know what will happen since Rhea left.” She sighed, a bit crestfallen.

“I’m just trying to make it through the day alive without…” she shook her head, turning the direction of the conversation again back to Alim, “How did you find them? The group I mean.”

Alim was too busy grinning and scratching Tobias with his foot as she spoke to look up at her, until she turned the conversation to him. “The group? They’re as fine of a group as I’ve ever joined. I’ve been contracted to do a fair amount of work for various organizations, but there were only one or two companions in each. However everyone here is a friend at least, if not more.” 

He grabbed a hunk of bread as well and decided to tear off a piece. “By the way, I’m a little put off at you.” he said with a smirk. 

“Put off?” Her thick brows furrowed together, what had she done? She had barely spoke more than necessary to him.

“Well after talking to you a bit, I kind of want to buy you a drink but you already had wine here.” he said matter of fact, “How am I supposed to break the ice without buying a drink first?”

Her eyes widened, the heat returning to her cheeks again like fresh coals receiving fuel and wind to catch flame. Was he… was he trying to flirt with her? She swallowed hard, turning to her glass of wine for help, drinking the remaining contents.

Alim leaned forward on his arms and grinned, peeking out from under his thick hair. “You alright?” he asked her with a chuckle. “I wasn’t rude, was I?” 

The wine helped calm her heart that started to race, he was so close she could smell the peculiar scent of cinnamon. What was wrong with her? She cleared her throat, and gestured to the bottle, now more than 3/4ths gone.

“Well… if not a glass, how about another bottle?” A slow, playful smile crossed her lips. She topped off both of their glasses, leaving the bottle now empty.

Alim’s eyes met hers for a bit, and he smiled, giving a wink as he slipped away to the bar, buying the best wine they had. It was a Valenwood wine, something they had in short supply. Alim didn’t mind, he had extra money and he felt a certain interest in this girl he hadn’t had felt in awhile. He’d see where it would lead. Flipping the bottle and catching it by the top, he gave a nod to the bartender and headed back over to Rhona. He poured her a glass, and then set the bottle between them after he poured himself some. It tasted...far better than he expected.  

Her brows rose at the bottle he brought back, and especially when he poured her a glass, she took a tentative sniff, and then a sip. “This… is from Valenwood.” She had only had it once before, but the taste was unforgettable.

“Is this what you do Alim? Smooth talk women, and treat them to expensive bottles of wine?” She took another sip, relishing the taste, “Because if you do, it’s working.” Rhona couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

“I do flirt often, but I only buy drinks for women I consider...maybe exploring something with.” he admitted embarrassed, and he shrugged helplessly. “I’m an adventurer, I often need to rely on instincts to survive. I guess I do the same with women, but” he held his hands up. “No pressure at all. I’m just interested and I want to show I am. Plus Tobias seems trustworthy,” he joked, reaching down and petting the small goat. “[sub]Hey, little fella[/sub]” he said softly. 

Her eyes focused on the wine inside her glass, she swirled the crimson liquid around, contemplating his words. There were a million thoughts racing through her head, but this was all too much for her to think of right now. She sighed, the smile returning to her lips, “I guess we’ll have to see where the night takes us. And if he hasn’t eaten your boots yet, then he must really like you, which says a lot in your favor I must admit.”

Alim raised an eyebrow. “Ah, I see. The perfect wingman,” he joked, and he handed a peice of bread to Tobias as if he was paying a bribe. “Thanks, I’ll take it from here,” he whispered to the goat, patting his head as the creature happily nommed. 

After that, he casted feather on another piece of bread so the food floated above Tobias’ head for a moment before slowly falling at a snail’s pace as Tobias watched it hungrily. “Just be patient little guy...got it!” Alim congratulated the goat when Tobias stood on his hind hooves to grab the bread. 

“Where did you find this fella?” 

Rhona laughed at Tobias’ and Alim’s antics, “Kynareth must have brought him to me. I was headed for Skingrad after leaving here, just walking through a field when he came up to me. He does as he pleases. He can leave when he wishes, as every animal ought to have the right.” She mused quietly. 

Alim respected that outlook quite a bit, and Alim took another sip of the Valenwood wine, leaning back on his chair, his dark eyes meeting hers. “Well, Tobias and I have something else in common. We know a good woman when we see one.”

Her eyes widened slightly at the comment, the smile on her lips faltering, was she a good woman? She would like to think so, after all, she hadn’t done anything inherently evil, right? She tried to make an honest living where she could, and she certainly enjoyed the benefits and freedom that came with it. Surely that didn’t make her a bad person? 

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She lifted her glass towards him for a toast, “To good men and women.”

Alim toasted with her, giving a wink and taking a long drink of the wine, relaxing in his chair and spinning the now empty cup on his pointer finger. The glass spun almost naturally into the palm of his hand, and he set the cup down. Even tipsy he had a way with his hands. “I’m quite hungry, might I also buy you dinner?” 

“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?” Rhona said, laughing heartily, “Be my guest, all I’ve had today is this bread… though you’ll have to let me return the favor.” 

Alim blinked, at a loss. He thought she just found him amusing but… [i]hello there[/i]. He gave a grin that showed his teeth. “Well that explains why you’re so slim, now that you’re with our group you’ll need to keep your strength up. Excuse me-” Alim hailed over a sprightly young barmaid, “Ham, apples, and cheese if you’d be so kind.”, the barmaid took a moment to register what he said, then gave a ‘right away’ as she headed off to fulfill the order. 

“Hope the order was alright. I figured you’d want a hearty meal, I know I do.” he patted his fit stomach, hardened from his many years of scaling walls and bouncing around dungeons. He wasn’t a bruiser, but he had a very tone, almost somewhat muscled look to him.

“Please!” She laughed hard, her head tipping back as she covered her mouth with her hand, “I… thank you. But I assure you, I don’t just eat bread. It’s all of the walking I do.” 

“Well it’s night time I was worried!” he exclaimed, but he was laughing too. He shook his head. “Don’t worry, I believe you. I guess I have a fast metabolism...no in fact, I know I do.” As he finished, the food was placed before them with a ‘clack’ of the plates on the wooden table. “I admit...this is where my manners flee me.” 

She laughed again, “I might have been raised to become a lady, but I know that hunger makes us all one in the same, Mara bless us.” Rhona turned to her own food, not realizing how fast she had eaten until the last of the ham, bread and cheese were gone. She settled on washing her meal down with more wine. For Alim’s part, he had grown up as a ne’er-do-well bastard son in HighRock, and when he went to live in Hammefell he quickly lost what manners he had when it came to eating. Soon the ham and apple was gone on his side as well. He did his best to not muddle his face, though. Rhona’s face felt particularly warm and she knew it to be from the wine. Rhona giggled to herself.

“I don’t know how I ended up with such great company with the likes of yourself.”

“Thank you,” he said earnestly. He took a sip of his wine. “I’m the surprised one though. A beautiful woman laughing at my jokes and blushing, this night was worth it. I hope I see a lot more of you soon.”

Part of her didn’t know what to say to his compliment, but she smiled nonetheless. Gods, Alim was particularly handsome, and she just couldn’t help herself, nor the words that came out of her mouth next, “Oh I’m certain you will, you’ve lifted my spirits and help shed some much needed light on a day like this. I appreciate that.” 

Alim stood up and took her hand in his, kissing it. The fire of a lamp danced in his eyes. “Likewise to you. See you around, pretty girl.” he said. When she looked up at him, he was nowhere to be seen. As if by magic.