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#Post#: 365--------------------------------------------------
Flexed (Rayner, Gastelle & Des Eccentriques) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 5, 2020, 5:16 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The streets of upper Vilvella were nearly empty at this
late—well early hour. A drunk patron could be seen stumbling out
of on of the many bars, either alone or with company from the
“entertainment” hotspots for the city’s rich. Rayner was outside
of one such establishment now, being forced to wait like a dog
tied to a tether. Not that he wanted to be anywhere near that
slimy Elvi politician as he got his rocks off. The idea made a
cringe of disgust roll through him, eyes narrowing as he
considered why he was forced to be there. His Knight Captain
must have thought it hilarious to assign Rayner to guard the
Elvilitte politician during his stay in Marieve. Most in the
guard circles knew he disliked the Elvi in general, mostly due
to his mixed heritage and the distaste he and his sister caught
for it. Even as he followed this Lord Miathyra around to all his
meetings and events, Rayner got snickers and comments about his
Elvilette features that were ‘marred’ by human blood. Honestly,
he didn’t give a hell about heritage or even what he was the
product of. It didn’t matter at the end of the day and he just
wanted others to stop caring as well. It was only good for
making him look young and on the prettier side. That was never a
problem when you needed to charm a wealthy patron or two. It
kept him employed and someone gorgeous in his bed, so he wasn’t
complaining. Not openly at least...
A heavy breath escaped him as Lord Miathyra finally emerged from
the courtesan business front, obviously inebriated and wrapped
around the finger of the Elvilette woman on his arm. She cooed
and fawned in appreciation of his attention, but Rayner saw the
way her hand lovingly caressed his coin purse. Served the fool
right for getting this drunk around women that knew how to take
you for a ride in more ways than one.
“Ah! There’s my loyal mutt.” The Elvilette man chuckled as
Rayner approached, too drunk to see or care about the annoyed
look on the knight’s face. “We must...Go home...Take me home!”
He slurred as he separated himself from the woman, causing him
to stumble. Rayner rolled his eyes and felt the distinct desire
to let him fall on his face. But his captain was very clear that
not a hair could be found out of place on this shitty diplomat’s
head. So Rayner moved over to him and took an arm over his
shoulder to help move him.
The man was so intoxicated that he made walking hard,
considering that he was practically flailing dead weight. Rayner
growled curses under his breath as the man griped and
complained, shuffling and tripping them up every chance he
could. All their noise and his drunk antics soon drew the kind
of attention Rayner had hoped to avoid....
“Oi, you lot.” Rayner looked over his shoulder and saw a pair of
men running up behind them on the deserted street. He gave a
heavy sigh before his attention was caught by more men
surrounding them from the sides and ahead of them. This was an
ambush. One of the criminals stepped forward, his scarred lips
pulling into a crooked grin. “Sorry boys. Road’s closed until
you pay the curfew tax. And your friend there definitely looks
like he can afford it.” Rayner gave the man an unconvinced look,
his own pride and cockiness not backing down to this moron.
“Shove off. I’m already dealing with this dumb-ass and I don’t
need to deal with another.” He snapped, making the man tense.
“I don’t think you understand, little man. Give us all your gold
and your gear and we won’t kill you and pull it off your
corpses. Got it?” As the men closed in, Rayner gave a heavy roll
of his eyes even if he knew that they were in trouble. He was on
his own, one against 8 with a drunkard politician that hadn’t
held a blade in his life. Rayner set the man down, before
rolling his shoulders and grabbing his halberd that was strapped
to his back. He swung it around with a practice swing and
because he was showing off to this common thief that he wasn’t
to be messed with tonight. The drawing of his weapon made the
men attack, them all descending on Rayner in quick succession.
He quickly spun the bladed spear out, knocking most of the
brutes away from him and his charge. He even caught one with the
axe head of the weapon, cleaving the man’s sword arm off.
The politician screamed and gasped at the violence before
promptly passing out, leaving Rayner to have to stand over him
in defense. However, even with his own skill and one man being
out of commission it was still 7 against 1 and he knew the odds
were bad. Especially when one of the bandits was able to hit him
hard enough that Rayner was seeing stars. Luckily he was able to
get the burly man off of him with a well-placed lunch of his
own, but the closer in quarters they got, the harder it was to
use his weapon. He was purely on the defensive to keep Lord
Miathyra alive at the moment, unable to move or do much since it
risked leaving him open for attack. He felt a quick realization
hit that this might end poorly for him, something that usually
didn’t happen for Rayner’s usual cocky demeanor.
#Post#: 437--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 11, 2020, 12:10 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner faces down the men he could with what he had, even if he
was already getting bruised and a bit bloodied by trying.
Punches were landed, swords grazing off his armor, and his
halberd was dripping with blood from both the spear and the axe
blade. 6 men still stood and they were making quick and tiring
work to deal with. Rayner was starting to feel his exhaustion
rising as he dodged and beat his way through the men that came
near him. If he was any less of a man he would have already let
them have the Elvi prick at his feet, but Rayner has pride in
his work and what he had built. His sister needed him to be
strong and keep his work...Wynry deserved a good life, something
that a Truce Knight could offer if Rayner earned enough. If he
lost this job, it was back to making pennies with Nomadic
Warrior’s Guild. For her sake he could not die here or run and
he was going to make sure neither happened.
When an axe came at his head, Rayner’s teeth grit and he focused
on the Magis in his blood. He hated using Magis but he wasn’t
going to die today to be petty. Ice sprang up from the droplets
hitting the ground, impaling the man with the axe. The axe was
caught before it hit its mark and dig into Rayner’s skull.
However, the edge nicked his forehead, causing a steady stream
of blood to get in his eyes. Rayner staggers back a bit as he
tried to rub blood away, it smearing haphazardly on his face and
making the situation worse.
He tripped a bit over his charge, but caught himself by jabbing
the halberd’s staff grip into the ground. “Ah, finally getting
tired pretty boy?” The leader mocked as they closed in on
Rayner. Rayner brought the halberd back up in a sweeping motion
to keep them back but didn’t see the man coming up behind him.
“I’m going to enjoy smashing your head into the pavement.” One
of the men chuckled as his eyes flicked to the man behind Rayner
with a dagger in his grip.
#Post#: 445--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 11, 2020, 12:54 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner Brandt
Location: Vilvella, Alessandria. Upper Vilvella District,
Streets.
Company: Bandits, Lord Miyathyra, Duuthra-Keth Gastelle
Equipment: Halberd and Truce Knight armor
Rayner heard movement behind him and turned in time to catch the
bandit being knocked unconscious. His blue eyes immediately went
to the man now standing behind him, having lost interest in the
unconscious attacker. Was this man here to rob him too? If so,
he could kick his ass with the rest of them...His appearance at
least provided a distraction for the bandits, who didn’t seem to
recognize him. Ah, so he obviously wasn’t with them but that
didn’t mean he was an ally. Besides, why would he want help from
one of the pointy-eared b*st*rds anyways?
Well, that’s what he thought until he spoke up and swung his
axe. Rayner admired the blade momentarily, the show of strength
from an Elvilette. Admittedly Rayner had always seen them as
more finesse and long ranged fighters. But watching him easily
handle that axe was a more impressive and relieving sight than
he dare let himself admit. He offered help, even if he sounded
two sheets to the wind like the drunk, passed out politician at
Rayner’s feet. Was Rayner a moron for wanting the help from this
man, who was probably only sticking his neck out because A) this
was a fellow Elvi on the ground or B) He was drunk enough to be
bold and want a fight.
Rayner assesses his options a mere second before a huff pulled
through him. He could hear his sister scolding him now about him
being hard-headed, as she would do when he would get lippy with
the priestesses at the orphanage. To get back to her he had to
survive and this Elvilette man was key to that survival at the
moment.
“The hell—Fine! You’ll die too, Rabbit!” The snarled insult from
one of the bandits made Rayner give a roll of his eyes at the
species-ist slur. How original...
Rayner soared a glance at the man and gave a quick nod. “Sure.
The faster they shut up, the faster I can get this sniveling
prick out of my hair.” He stated before he pulled himself into a
more aggressive stance. He lashed out at the nearest bandit with
renewed vigor, now not having to watch the other two morons that
went after the Elvi man. Rayner swung the blades staff around,
knocking one of the bandit’s swords from him before cleaving
through his shoulder. He withdrew the halberd with some force
before turning his attention to the other bandit on his left. 3
more to go...The bandit snarled and came at him with a bent and
dingy mace, denting Rayner’s side plate with a hard blow. Rayner
winced at the bruise that was sure to form, but used the
bandit’s compromised position for a strike. He used the spear
end of the halberd to jab it through the burly man’s throat,
dropping him in a spray of blood. Rayner soared the Elvi man a
glance and found he was handling his charges just fine. He did
however step in to at least field them from fleeing. This was
personal now and Rayner either wanted them unconscious or dead
at this point...
#Post#: 505--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 14, 2020, 5:35 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner Brandt
Location: Vilvella, Alessandria. Upper Vilvella District,
Streets.
Company: Bandits, Lord Miyathyra, Duuthra-Keth Gastelle
Equipment: Halberd and Truce Knight armor
Rayner noticed how impressive the Elvi's skill was and noted
that he was actually quite strong. Even a bit inebriated, he
took out to bandits quite efficiently, even sparing the lives of
a few. It seemed this man was obviously a trained fighter and
Rayner almost wondered how he picked up that kind of skill.
Surely the Elvilette didn't teach him that...
Rayner let the man handle it, though he did wince when he took
the hit to the shoulder. That was going to smart in the morning
if he didn't see a healer. Rayner even felt a slight discomfort
that he sustained the injury fighting in their defense...
When the last of the men fell, Rayner put away his halberd and
gave this new man a once over. He was hesitant as this was some
stranger in the middle of the night, despite him just saving not
only Rayner's a** but his charge's a** as well. The hiss of pain
did soften his guard ever so slightly and at least made Rayner
speak to the man without flippant hostility. Rayner's eyes went
from the wound to this Elvi male's face. "You're going to need
to get that seen by a healer. And I'm sure he can foot the bill
for covering his a** and mine." He said before he went to
collect the slowly waking Elvilette politician. As Lord Miathyra
was helped up in his dizzy, still drunk state, his eyes squinted
and then brightened at sight of Gastelle.
"Ah Sir Gastelle, what a pleasant surprise!" Lord Miathyra's
face pulled into a haughty grin, though Rayner took in the name
and kept it there only a moment. "It's our luck you stuck around
in Alessandria a little longer. I am in your debt as is the
useless guard they assigned me. I specifically asked for
multiple guards and they could only spare me him. Not even one
Elvi among them. Can you believe the nerve of the Humana in this
city?" He clucked before giving Rayner a harsh look from where
he helped him stand. "Mutt! Greet your betters and get your
hands off of me!" The Elvi male swatted the hands away and
drunkenly teetered a little, making Rayner bristle in effort not
to punch the man square in the jaw or break his face. Instead,
Rayner gave Gastelle a tight lipped look, eyes showing his
annoyance with the man next to him.
"Sir Rayner Brandt. Truce Knight of Amon." He said with a very
slight incline that couldn't be considered a bow at all. "And
thanks for stepping in...It was unexpected but not
unappreciated." He stated, not indicating that this man indeed
had saved the politician's life at the very least and Rayner's
job. He didn't see the necessity on putting fan fare to it like
the politician did...
Lord Miathyra rolled his eyes at the rigid thanks before he gave
a pleasant smile. "Please, let me pay you something for your
troubles and offer to have my personal physician tend to you. It
is the least I can do." He offered with such lightness and
hospitality to his voice it made Rayner want to shake his head.
However, he stood stone still, deciding it was best to hold his
tongue than call out the drunk man that he despised.
#Post#: 513--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 14, 2020, 11:39 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner Brandt
Location: Vilvella, Alessandria. Upper Vilvella District,
Streets.
Company: Bandits, Lord Miyathyra, Duuthra-Keth Gastelle
Equipment: Halberd and Truce Knight armor
Rayner expected flowery language or some light airy speech from
the Elvi he now knew as Gastelle. Instead he was blunt and
crude. It threw Rayner off enough that he was at a loss for
words as the man winked at him and got closer. His expectations
were not met, he was winking at him, and that left him
floundering a bit for a snide word or a flippant response. After
all, he was Elvi...
The last thing he expected was Gastelle to suddenly insult Lord
Miathyra and the shock flashed through Rayner's face. A snicker
escaped his control, which he tried to hide behind a cough. Not
that the noble heard since he was caught in complete shock and
thrown into silence. Lucky for Gastelle he wasn't an employee
and this noble was too drunk to remember much. Okay...so maybe
the Elvi wasn't terrible. If not charming in a quick whitted and
indelicate sort of way...
Rayner couldn't add to the teasing as that would affect his job,
even if he did have somethings he did wish to share about the
portly Elvi. So he simply kept an impish smirk on his face as
Gastelle shook both the stunned noble's hand and finally
Rayner's. He took it for the sheer fact the Elvi had made him
laugh, but tensed when Gastelle...leered at him and complimented
his looks with this teasing tone. He expected the run of the
mill jokes about his mixed heritage, not a dick joke and a wink.
He should have called out the cocky *sshole right? Or been
offended that he was flirting with him? Rayner didn't swing that
way and wasn't about to start for some Elvi he just met. Even if
the Elvi wasn't bad to look at--If you were coming from a purely
objective standpoint. To say the least, Gastelle was quite good
at flustering the knight. Not that Rayner would ever openly
admit that. He gave him a look as if asking if he should be
'charmed' by Gastelle?
"Suffice to say, I haven't had a complaint. But my sword nor my
axe is any concern of yours." Rayner stated with a cocky tone in
response to the joke since he was still trying to understand how
this man was this bold. It just wasn't very Alessandrian and not
something Rayner was used to. His eyes traced the man a mere
moment before his brows furrowed at the title. "Keth? You're a
victor of the Keth-Zrasharin Arena?" The question wasn't
condescending or accusatory, in fact a bit fascinated despite
himself. He had been to Iaquosia with Germund as a boy and had
seen the fights from the sidelines. It was brutal and thrilling,
but at the same time Rayner had felt for the contestants due to
his own upbringing...
Before he could get much else, Lord Miathyra finally sputtered
to life. "You insolent little sh*t! I will see that the council
hears of this and you'll be lucky if you get jobs mucking horse
stalls you--" He devolved into sputtering curses in Tolkinese,
something that made Rayner roll his eyes and give the man a bit
of a hard nudge. "Come off it, Miathyra. We're getting you home
before your wife starts asking questions that I'll have to
answer." He threatened to get the man to lay off Gastelle. He
knew these politicans only answered to threats that could ruin
an image after all. Hurt their pockets and you got to the core
of everything they were here in Alessandria. Rayner turned his
attention back to Gastelle, expression guarded still despite
himself. "I think we have it from here. If you want payment for
tonight, come by the Miathyra estate tomorrow. I'm sure he'll be
too drunk to remember you even spoke." Rayner offered, wondering
just why fate seemed to think he needed to have this strange
Elvi stumble into his life....
#Post#: 529--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 16, 2020, 5:27 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner Brandt
Location: Vilvella, Street—> Miathyra’s Estate—> Home—> Streets
of Pieata
Company: Duuthra-Keth Gastelle and Lord Miathyra—> He, himself,
and his ego
Equipment: Halberd and armor—>common clothes and some coin
Rayner’s lips tightened with effort not to smirk at Gastelle’s
bold threats. This man truly didn’t give a hell did he? He
wasn’t trying to be charming or personable, instead he was just
blunt, arrogant, and unapologetically proud. It was odd for
Rayner to see as he had been trained in much of the Alessandrian
way of life as a child. His uncle Germund, the man who adopted
him, had been very clear in teaching Rayner manners since the
time at Belnin had left him obviously lacking. But there was a
certain liberation to saying exactly what was on your mind, even
if it would get him into serious trouble if he tried.
He watched Gastelle move away, finding himself both confused and
intrigued by this man. But this was simply a passing meeting and
he was sure nothing would matter by tomorrow. He needed to first
get the hammered noble home.
With a certain effort, the servants and Rayner got the man into
the guest room because his wife was furious. Even in her fury,
She did make her usual pass at Rayner. Lady Miathyra was a
pretty picture with eyes batting and the way she allowed a
coquettish peer down her robe as she leaned over to bow. She
must have been desperate to proposition him when he currently
looked like hell. But Rayner wasn’t interested in anything or
anyone that would screw the piece of work currently in the guest
room. He left the woman with a small goodnight and went back to
his own home in Pieta. The streets were barren except the
occasional messenger, which allowed Rayner to get home without
issue.
It was a modest flat, one room for everything as most commoners
in the city had. He was currently between patrons and couldn’t
rely on their events or winter getaways to enjoy those tastes of
the high life he hand come to admire. Honestly, wealth was a
drug to Rayner and poverty was his waking up from his high. But
he reminded himself that his salary was for something better...
By the morning, a Miathyra servant was sent to his flat to tell
Rayner he had to collect a ‘tonic’ for Lord Miathyra. Rayner
knew he was playing errand boy because the elf was no doubt
bitter about last night...He was being petty because he was hung
over and no doubt didn’t want the wife knowing why he was out so
late...Rayner dressed in simple clothes of variations of blue
and brown, opting to keep his armor at home. He was sure
Miathyra wasn’t going anywhere today and he wouldn’t need his
armor. He still remained armed though and took his halberd with
him.
It was nearing noon in the Pieta streets and the markets were
crowded and stuffy. Rayner didn’t mind the noise and motion and
instead found it a bit reminiscent of home. The orphanage was
crowded and he had worked in a mine. It would have been a
torturous existence if he hated people. He made his way to the
apothecary shop to collect what he needed since he would get the
task done and no doubt he free for the day.
The transaction went quicker than he intended, especially
considering Miathyra was a less than loved customer. Usually, if
the Elvi was present, they would purposefully make him wait an
extra hour while the ‘tonic’ settled. He knew damn well the
drugs in that bottle didn’t need to settle before becoming
potent enough to knock a mammoth over. But Rayner didn’t care if
the nobleman was addicted to pain tonics or the odd party drug.
He was just there to do his job...
The walk to Vilvella was a bit more of track but Rayner liked
the exercise. It did however draw a a sweat to his brow that he
casually removed with the back of his hand. The estate was
finally in view and he was near the gates when his gaze was
caught by a servant girl leaving. A pretty thing if not for his
knowledge she was currently sleeping with half the staff. His
attention lingered a bit longer than it should have, but it soon
passed to the street to admire the view. One day, he would find
a way to set Wynry and himself up for life so that they could
enjoy the leisures this sparkling part of Marieve seemed to take
for granted...
#Post#: 532--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 16, 2020, 7:12 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner Brandt
Location: Vilvella, Miathyra Estate
Company: Duuthra-Keth Gastelle
Equipment: broken tonic bottle and his halberd
The last thing Rayner anticipated was hitting something solid in
his path to the door he’d entered quite frequently this past
month. What he expected less was for that solid something to be
a very solidly built man. Or for that very solid man to break
the one thing that he needed to be rid of Miathyra today on his
very solidly built chest. Rayner’s first reaction was anger,
which the stranger echoed with his incensed retort.
Look what Rayner did?! Look what this big oaf cost Rayner!
Rayner tilted his face up to look the man in the face, blue eyes
narrowed into a vicious glare. “Geh—“ The angry ‘Get the f*ck
out of my way’ was swallowed when he realized who it was. That
odd Elvi from last night—Gastelle was it? Rayner’s brow furrowed
when he called him Prince Charming, confused by it the label.
Was that an insult? He didn’t look like he was looking for a
fight...
No he looked quite different, if not more more handsome in the
daylight—Rayner was surprised at where his mind went or the way
his eyes took notice of the liquids path down the washboard abs.
Why did the sight suddenly make his tongue feel a bit tied, his
face a bit warmer, and something stir in his chest? He struck it
up to frustration or perhaps just the shock of the
moment...right.
After his brief, minute glance over, Rayner’s eyes were back on
the man’s face, his anger forgotten momentarily. “Prince
Charming—wha—?” He began in confusion, Until a bag of coin hit
his chest that he fumbled to catch. He looked at the bag and
then at Gastelle before his face twisted in annoyance. This
pompous ass thought Rayner wanted some hand out? “Why the hell
would I want you’re money?” He shoved it back into Gastelle’s
chest, ignoring the fact that he could feel the firmness of his
body between the bag and his warm skin. He gave them more space
before gesturing to the man’s now ruined shirt. “I was having a
fan-f*cking-tastic day when I thought bringing Miathyra his
‘tonic’ would get him off my back for a day. Then you show up
and that moron is going to give me hell for the rest of the
afternoon. So to answer your question, now, I’m just peachy,
love.” He stated, tone snide and cocky, hardly the same reserved
man the night before. Rayner dropped the broken glass and shook
the smelly liquid off his hand, before sparing Gastelle a less
pissy look. “What are you even doing here? I thought you and
Lord Fat-arse aren’t buddy buddy?”
#Post#: 539--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 16, 2020, 9:57 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner Brandt
Location: Vilvella, Miathyra Estate
Company: Duuthra-Keth Gastelle
Equipment: broken tonic bottle and his halberd
Rayner noted that Gastelle was hardly fazed by him or his
abrasiveness that usually drove people out of his space.
Instead, he seemed keen in studying the tonic on his skin that
was mixed with powerful drugs. Rayner's lip twitched in
irritation at being ignored, almost like he was regarded as
nothing more than a complaining child...
He thought about telling this Elvi off further, but he lost that
fire when the odd man spoke up. His expression eased when
Gastelle told him where the money came from. It was from Lord
Miathyra to Gastelle for protecting the man. Instead, Gastelle
felt Rayner deserved it...Color him...slightly impressed by the
man being honest.
Rayner eyed the coin bag, but his attention left it when
Gastelle mentioned letting Lord Miathyra suffer without the
tonic. To teach him a lesson--or perhaps in a much cleaner
version of his wording--teaching him who was in charge.
Well, Rayner wasn't in charge here and that much was clear. The
was the whole point of being a knight in Alessandria. You were
at the whims of the nobles around you and nothing more than a
grunt. That worked for Rayner who had lived that way since he
was a child. However, this man's level of not giving a d*mn
about anything was both shocking and slightly admirable...
Before Rayner could speak to the offered coin, Gastelle was
moving away from him, smirking with this roguish smile that
shouldn't have made Rayner's heartbeat quicken. What was wrong
with him? And why did he keep making comments about his face?
Sure, Rayner knew he was good-looking and had had men in
Alessandria hit on him before. He, of course, balked back
against it and put the men in their place. He felt no
differently from Gastelle, but hesitated for some reason.
He didn't have much time to come up with a retort before
Gastelle was offering a chance to spar him. A chance to get out
his aggression on a man that both irritated and made him
curious? Why not...Rayner did spare a look back at the gate to
Lord Miathyra's home before a huff pulled through him. He was
either going to get booted from his service for not arriving
with the tonic or not showing up at all. The man was clearly
displeased with Rayner and he was sure his Knight Captain would
hear of it. He would probably be chewed out tomorrow, but he was
sure he could smooth things over. He was one of the best damn
knights they hired after all...And this was an opportunity to
fight someone who fought in the legendary Arena. What a spar
that would be and he could sense the bragging rights for when he
did win against this Elvi man.
With a shake of his head and a bit of a confident look, he
sauntered to catch up with Gastelle. "An offer to kick your *ss
for fun and no Miathyra for an afternoon? Count me in." He said
before he gave a scoff at the analogy he was sure was sexual.
What was with this Elvi and calling him pretty?
"Pfft, swords. Swords are for talentless brutes. Now handling an
axe require more skill and finesse." He gave a jerk of his chin
in the direction of Gastelle's weapon. "Here I thought you
understood that after last nights rather impressive display.
While drunk no less...I suppose that's why your Duuthra-Keth."
He said before he decided to retort back to the idea that he
would take his coin for anything having to do with his face.
"And another thing, even if I was interested, what makes you
think you could afford me?" He stated, since he felt it only
right to tell this man he had no interest in whatever he was
offering and wasn't into men.
#Post#: 557--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 17, 2020, 9:56 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner Brandt
Location: Vilvella, Upper Vilvella District, Streets
Company: Duuthra-Keth Gastelle
Equipment: his halberd
'Does he always have to have that cocky smirk on his face?'
Rayner thought, eyes flicking to the male beside him as he
walked with him to wherever this sparring match was to take
place. He had to admit the chance to do something physical
beckoned to him like a sweet song. Rayner just enjoyed fighting,
in a way that most men in Alessandria loved the pomp and
politics. If Germund hadn't adopted him, he probably would have
become a soldier still since he liked the thrill of a good
battle and a worth while opponent. He wondered if Gastelle would
be that...He certainly had the look of someone strong and
skilled, and the confidence to match. But was that all for show?
Rayner couldn't quite tell, but he had to admit the confidence
was reassuring in a way. It made Rayner feel like Gastelle was
less...complex than the Elvi he was exposed to. Perhaps that
wasn't the right word. It was more that Gastelle was less shady
and two-faced. What you heard and saw were what you got with the
flirtatious and vivacious man. That combination was making
Rayner relax around him, something that didn't happen often
around strangers. While his guard was still high, he found the
ability to at least smile and speak to the man naturally...
At Gastelle's teasing lecture about being skilled in multiple
weapons, Rayner gave a raise of his brow. Was that wisdom he was
now imparting as a Keth? Or a way to brag about his exploits?
Most likely both if coming from Gastelle... "Oh, so he admits to
being unarmed by an opponent?" He joked back, though it was
harmless since Gastelle seemed like quite the braggart. Rayner
understood what he meant and agreed in a way. Most didn't have
the luxury of learning multiple weapons. Rayner could use his
fists and knew how to use his halberd. A spear wouldn't be lost
on him, as the halberd functioned as both a spear and axe. But,
he could see himself never switching as the weapon had grown on
him. "While yes, you're right about being a jack of all trades
saving your skin, you still ended up choosing to carry an axe
around with you anyways? A fine one at that. Custom." Rayner
stated as he admired the weapon a moment as he found it
impressive and knew he didn't want to be at the wrong end of it.
When he took his snide comment about paying for his face and
attention and returned it with a cocky statement of his own, a
muscle in Rayner's jaw twitched as he squinted at the man. Well,
to suggest everyone wanted to sleep with a Keth was awfully
presumptuous...
"Because I cannot be bought by a title or man I have interest
bedding--Not some Keth either." He said, eyes rolling skyward at
his display of prowess and confidence with that puffed chest.
Rayner was sure he too would have more success if he was as open
and fluid as Gastelle? "Unless you've got more to offer than
crude jokes and somewhat impressive gains," He sized him up in a
pause "you won't buy much of anything worth the coin here." He
said since it was true. Alessandrian's dealt in money yes, but
their real bread and butter was intrigue, rumor, secrets, and
pleasure. Rayner was no blushing virgin when it came to those
societal games and he indulged in them from time to time with
the right people that could get him the information and
influence that he wanted. The pleasure could be found elsewhere
and he wasn't a prude about that either. As Asena once accused
him after talks with Damon he was sure, it was practically
prostitution in a sense, but Rayner didn't see it that way. It
was using an asset to get what he wanted and keeping others at
his disposal...
#Post#: 580--------------------------------------------------
Re: Chapter 0.5: Flexed (Rayner & Gastelle) [Y1050-Y1051]
By: Kimcora Date: April 18, 2020, 11:51 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Rayner Brant
Location: Upper Vilvella Street
Accompanying: Duuthra-Keth Gastelle
Equipment: Halberd
The grin that was on Gastelle’s face wasn’t unpleasant. The man
was gifted with a smile, even Rayner couldn’t deny that. He saw
perhaps why people would fawn over the Keth and let him do
whatever he pleased. However, that point was moot to Rayner
since he wouldn’t be one of those numbers he was sure the man
had under his belt...
Though he did note the excitement Gastelle showed at the axe he
carried being complimented. Rayner may have been a blunt and
rather rude person to most people he met, but he knew what
quality look like and could respect it. That great axe was built
with a lot of care, time, and thought put into it. You could
tell these things by looking at the expertise of the work and
how the weapon was maintained. Gastelle obviously took pride in
his weapon and that something Rayner found admirable in the man.
It was odd, but Rayner was beginning to tolerate Gastelle, not
feeling like he was really forcing conversation with the male.
It was effortless and that made Rayner almost forget he didn’t
like Elvi. Gastelle just felt like Gastelle. A breed of his own
so to speak.
So when he answered about showing Rayner what he could do rather
than use jokes to woo him, Rayner actually gave a genuine
chuckle. “You are shameless.” He said with a shake of his head
before he decided to answer to the comments made about action
versus money. “I get that. And that axe looks like you would
have some interesting stories about the things you’ve seen.” He
said since it was not difficult to tell Gastelle lives a much
more exciting life than Rayner himself did. “But honestly I’d
take a good fight over the coin. It’s not everyday you find
someone worth their salt or not full of crap. Plenty of those in
Alessandria. Especially in the Knights order. Plenty of prissy
nobleman that got the station because they paid their way there
but would probably run themselves through with their own blade
in any real conflict.”
He was confused when Gastelle stopped walking. Was there some
sort of issue? Or had Rayner said too much? He was thinking on
what he had said when Gastelle actually asked him a question not
phrased around a sex joke. The question was about his halberd
and that made Rayner look at the spear headed axe before his
eyes fell back on Gastelle. “Yeah, sure. If I get to hear more
about yours?” He offered before he then gave a huff. “It’s
forged from the metal of an older knight’s weapon. I squired
under him as a foot soldier when I first joined the Truce when
my uncle and I settled in Marieve. They stuck him with me
because I was little sh*t and they knew he could whip me into
fighting shape or I’d give up...He taught me the ropes of how to
work a pole arm weapon. It’s pretty straight forward. Axe for
messing up someone’s day, a hook to incapacitate, a spear to
deal with mounted fighters. After I won my first tourney he gave
me the money to have my own made.” He said with a bit of a grin
at the memory of how proud Rayner had been to fight against
highly skilled knights and come out on top. It validated he was
good at something, that he could make this work better than the
Nomadic Warriors Guild or working as a miner. He saw the pride
in the knight’s eyes right before he was killed tragically in a
skirmish with several others a few days later. Rayner remembered
feeling devastated but got over it as he did most things. “I got
his halberd through circumstance and I had it reforged into
something better. This beauty has a wider axe head for larger
damage range and it’s counter balanced so you can really put
some power behind each thrust or swing without losing balance.”
He said with some enthusiasm and his own show of confidence. He
then passed a look to a Gastelle with a raise of his brow.
“And you? That Great axe isn’t just for looks.” He asked but he
was unsure if the blunt man was confident enough to open up more
about himself.
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