Roen was not the sort to back down from most challenges.
Facing off against a giant toad twelve-fulms in height, or standing off against a half a dozen zombies, or sneaking into a Castrum against all odds...the paladin had faced these tasks with unwavering purpose. Uncertainty and disquiet were not the types of emotions to make her flinch.
So why then, when this smug pirate leaned in just ilms away from her face did she stiffened inwardly? Roen was surprised that she felt warmth rising to her face. She immediately hated the idea that he may actually notice a slight blush to her cheeks.
Nero's ice-blue eyes darted between hers a moment longer, before he shrugged; his tone still held that quiet dare just beneath its beguiling surface. “And that pillar snuck up on me. It wasn’t a fair fight.â€
“Well, being that the pillar was the innocent party…†Roen cleared her throat, shrugging nonchalantly as she took a step back. “I think you were fortunate to get away.â€
The amusement lingered on the pirate’s countenance. “It cancelled negotiations. As far as I’m concerned, it was the aggressor.â€
“Were there negotiations, truly?†She curled a skeptical smirk, silently thankful that the conversation was becoming more manageable, despite their stifling proximity. “I thought the argument was one sided.â€
Nero’s hand rose as he stepped forward again, gently lifting her chin to look up at him. He was not many ilms taller than her, but enough that she was peering up at him. “Come now, Roen. Where is that faith in me you held so fervently before?†A teasing grin creased his lips. "I am a gentleman! I would not be so churlish as to attack a pillar without reason."
Roen swallowed and cleared her throat again, though she did not back away from him. Her expression remained defiant. He is trying to rattle me, she thought, miffed. “What possible reason could a pillar give you to attack it?" she shot back. "Were you not the one battling some mysterious shadow possession?â€
"Are you…embarrassed?" The smuggler moved ever so subtly closer to her, seemingly emboldened by her reaction. "I did not think you could be."
The paladin’s eyes narrowed. She drew herself up. He was daring her and she was not going to flinch. "What...would I have to be embarrassed about?" She silently cursed when she heard her own voice falter in its control. "I am...not the one who attacked a perfectly still stone...pillar..."
“No…†Nero’s voice lowered to just above a whisper, as he slid his hand to the back of her neck. “But you are the one who happens to be very charming right now.â€
Roen’s eyes widened. She could feel her heart quickening; was it panic she felt? Her mind raced for some kind of a sharp retort, but she was not given even a moment to react; the smuggler pulled his hand away and stepped back.
“But we have some mines to investigate, no?†His easygoing smile had returned--just like that. It irritated her to no end. “Far be it from either of us to…lose sight of our priority so quickly.â€
“Right,†the paladin blurted out, her tone falling flat. The fact that she was so easily flustered was what infuriated her. She exhaled sharply through her nose and turned her back to him, glad to look at something else--anything else--besides that self-satisfied smirk.
“We should work on the supplies,†she said quickly as she began to count off on her fingers, focusing on what was important. She was not going to play his game of who can ruffle the other’s feathers. “Supplies at the mines. Then the list.â€
“Tomorrow perhaps.†Nero was gazing up at the night sky when Roen gave him a sidelong glance. He looked back to her, thankfully devoid of his usual roguish grin. “I suggest we retire then. We will need to prepare. And I have some friends on Pearl Lane to visit.â€
Roen nodded, her eyes narrowing in thought. “Aye. I will get the list from Broken Nose in the morn. Then we can get it to your people.â€
"Mines first then. Forgery after. Then we replace it, and problem solved." He gestured with his hands in the air, as a magician did at the end of his performance.
“Aye. Problem solved.†She nodded, relaxing slightly. She was glad that they were back to discussing what mattered.
“I shall meet you before noon, then, at Black Brush Station.†Nero began to walk past her. “Until then, Roen…rest easy.†As the smuggler walked off, he brushed a hand past her face. It was to get a rise out of her, of course, she knew this.
Roen did not turn nor deign to respond. She stood there, in the middle of Pearl Lane, stalk still, until his footsteps could be heard no longer.
That…man. She simmered, her eyes narrowing. The paladin inhaled sharply, allowing now the crisp night air to calm her senses. She had made up her mind earlier that she would not let his aggravating personality affect her, for the goal of the common good. This was just another impediment, that was all--just another challenge to overcome.
The paladin nodded to herself then departed Pearl Lane in the opposite direction, the swing of her arms and her stride just a little sharper than before.
Facing off against a giant toad twelve-fulms in height, or standing off against a half a dozen zombies, or sneaking into a Castrum against all odds...the paladin had faced these tasks with unwavering purpose. Uncertainty and disquiet were not the types of emotions to make her flinch.
So why then, when this smug pirate leaned in just ilms away from her face did she stiffened inwardly? Roen was surprised that she felt warmth rising to her face. She immediately hated the idea that he may actually notice a slight blush to her cheeks.
Nero's ice-blue eyes darted between hers a moment longer, before he shrugged; his tone still held that quiet dare just beneath its beguiling surface. “And that pillar snuck up on me. It wasn’t a fair fight.â€
“Well, being that the pillar was the innocent party…†Roen cleared her throat, shrugging nonchalantly as she took a step back. “I think you were fortunate to get away.â€
The amusement lingered on the pirate’s countenance. “It cancelled negotiations. As far as I’m concerned, it was the aggressor.â€
“Were there negotiations, truly?†She curled a skeptical smirk, silently thankful that the conversation was becoming more manageable, despite their stifling proximity. “I thought the argument was one sided.â€
Nero’s hand rose as he stepped forward again, gently lifting her chin to look up at him. He was not many ilms taller than her, but enough that she was peering up at him. “Come now, Roen. Where is that faith in me you held so fervently before?†A teasing grin creased his lips. "I am a gentleman! I would not be so churlish as to attack a pillar without reason."
Roen swallowed and cleared her throat again, though she did not back away from him. Her expression remained defiant. He is trying to rattle me, she thought, miffed. “What possible reason could a pillar give you to attack it?" she shot back. "Were you not the one battling some mysterious shadow possession?â€
"Are you…embarrassed?" The smuggler moved ever so subtly closer to her, seemingly emboldened by her reaction. "I did not think you could be."
The paladin’s eyes narrowed. She drew herself up. He was daring her and she was not going to flinch. "What...would I have to be embarrassed about?" She silently cursed when she heard her own voice falter in its control. "I am...not the one who attacked a perfectly still stone...pillar..."
“No…†Nero’s voice lowered to just above a whisper, as he slid his hand to the back of her neck. “But you are the one who happens to be very charming right now.â€
Roen’s eyes widened. She could feel her heart quickening; was it panic she felt? Her mind raced for some kind of a sharp retort, but she was not given even a moment to react; the smuggler pulled his hand away and stepped back.
“But we have some mines to investigate, no?†His easygoing smile had returned--just like that. It irritated her to no end. “Far be it from either of us to…lose sight of our priority so quickly.â€
“Right,†the paladin blurted out, her tone falling flat. The fact that she was so easily flustered was what infuriated her. She exhaled sharply through her nose and turned her back to him, glad to look at something else--anything else--besides that self-satisfied smirk.
“We should work on the supplies,†she said quickly as she began to count off on her fingers, focusing on what was important. She was not going to play his game of who can ruffle the other’s feathers. “Supplies at the mines. Then the list.â€
“Tomorrow perhaps.†Nero was gazing up at the night sky when Roen gave him a sidelong glance. He looked back to her, thankfully devoid of his usual roguish grin. “I suggest we retire then. We will need to prepare. And I have some friends on Pearl Lane to visit.â€
Roen nodded, her eyes narrowing in thought. “Aye. I will get the list from Broken Nose in the morn. Then we can get it to your people.â€
"Mines first then. Forgery after. Then we replace it, and problem solved." He gestured with his hands in the air, as a magician did at the end of his performance.
“Aye. Problem solved.†She nodded, relaxing slightly. She was glad that they were back to discussing what mattered.
“I shall meet you before noon, then, at Black Brush Station.†Nero began to walk past her. “Until then, Roen…rest easy.†As the smuggler walked off, he brushed a hand past her face. It was to get a rise out of her, of course, she knew this.
Roen did not turn nor deign to respond. She stood there, in the middle of Pearl Lane, stalk still, until his footsteps could be heard no longer.
That…man. She simmered, her eyes narrowing. The paladin inhaled sharply, allowing now the crisp night air to calm her senses. She had made up her mind earlier that she would not let his aggravating personality affect her, for the goal of the common good. This was just another impediment, that was all--just another challenge to overcome.
The paladin nodded to herself then departed Pearl Lane in the opposite direction, the swing of her arms and her stride just a little sharper than before.
