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 Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 5:52 pm
The poor man probably didn't want a stranger's hands on him any longer than absolutely necessary. It wasn't like he had come to her specifically looking for help, she had just been the nearest healer to him. It was a good thing too! If she hadn't have caught him, she was sure someone would have nicked his things.
"Ah, no. If you're really concerned, you should be able to get away with putting a bandage over it and letting it air out at night." Without really thinking, she bent over to examine the wound again. Yes, it was shallower, she was sure of it. If he really was worried about it getting infected, though, wouldn't there be a good reason? Maybe he was a farmer. She'd believe it with biceps like that. "Here, I can give you something. I'll need a favor in return, though." Her plans were only to find lodgings for the night and certainly not with Thorn! If he lived in this city, though, there was a good chance he'd know a good inn.
Biceps, though. Abdominals. What were the muscles by your ribs even called officially? She wasn't sure, but she cleared her throat to try and shake his from her head.
As she straightened he spoke again and she rifled through her bag while she formed her response.
"Hmm, no. I'm from Sauti, but at the moment I'm just wandering a bit, going to go see a friend in Jauhar." She pulled from the sack a small vial of clear fluid and offered it out to him between her fingertips. "Just one or two drops will do it, twice a day. Fair warning, though, it burns." For such a big guy he really did have strong reactions to pain!
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:14 pm
Thorn accepted the vial, "Sure I can do you a favor. Do you need me to reach something for you? Thats usually what I get asked to do." He peered at the vial hoping he wouldn't loose it. Who knew what stuff was on that blade that had bested him. Chances are it wasn't anything nice, but he could hope the wielder kept it clean. He thought for a moment and dug around in his own bag. "I happen to have some gold, I would like to compensate you for your work here today." He dug some coins out and offered them to her. "For your trouble, and my happiness."
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:23 pm
It might have been a thinly-veiled poke at her height, but Ime grinned regardless. There was no use in taking things personally, especially when it came to strangers. The difference in their sizes became much more obvious while he stood and she had to tilt her head up slightly to look him in the face. It wasn't so bad, though. She wasn't afraid! Really maybe she should have been considering the size of him, and the gems on his head were rather intimidating, but he had been so awkward when she'd first caught him face-down in the dirt that she just couldn't muster any fear.
"No," she replied with a little giggle. "I'd like you to direct me to an inn, I think I'll be staying the night before I head out again."
At the appearance of coins in his hand she only looked surprised and fought with her tongue to make words a moment. "Oh, you don't have to!" Emergency medicine was different. You didn't expect people to pay when they hadn't planned for a life-or-death situation! You hoped they would, of course, but you didn't expect it. Of course Thorn had also not been dying, but that was beside the point. "Are you sure?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:03 pm
An Inn? "Well I um I don't live in town but there is one I know, I go there for their stew. Best stew in the near viscinity. Its the Golden Poscuta Just over here." The Inn was on the nicer side of town but it wouldn't hurt him to keep an eye on her. The rest of the money should pay for her food and her stay. He grinned mischieviously and it lit up his face in a most interesting way. He waved, "Yes, yes I'm sure. I am most grateful for your help." He led her to the Inn and walked in with her chatting to the proprieter and handing over the bundle quietly when he thought she was not paying too close of attention. There, she would be well cared for. Oddly he didn't feel much inclinded to leave but he supposed his parents would eventually come looking..maybe.
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:31 pm
"Well, that'll do," she said, referring to the inn of course and not the coins. She took said payment gently and beamed up to the kind stranger who would always be kind to her, even if he had technically only paid her for her time and expertise. His offer would be considered in future pricing, though.
Her attention then turned to the inn and she offered the young man a grin as he walked with her and resisted the urge to link her arm in his, which caused yet another violet blush to cross her freckled cheeks. What were these nondwa in her chest and why were they so violent?!
She paused at the entryway though. It wasn't late enough to need a bed... but maybe it'd be good to guarantee herself one. After a moment she followed Thorn inside, turning her attention away to dig for the coins she'd so casually tossed back in there. That hadn't been a very smart idea...
When Ime approached the innkeep, though, he lifted a hand to refuse her money which only earned a confused glance.
"I just need one night, for tonight."
"Uh." The man's eyes moved to Thorn for only the barest moment, and so Ime's flickered there as well before the innkeep continued. "First stay's free."
"Oh, really?" That didn't sound like a very good business plan, but hey, whatever worked! Unless of course it was some sham? If the innkeep had nasty plans for her because of her race...? She had been warned that people might be prejudiced and she had seen it herself! How did that involve Thorn, though? Was he... protecting her? Ime's brow furrowed and then she nodded slowly. "Okay. Well." Finally she looked up to Thorn again. "Would you like to join me for lunch?"
The nondwa in her chest had said it, not her, but it felt so good to offer! Besides, she didn't like the idea of staying at an inn for free and paying for a meal might quell the guilt.
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:49 pm
Thorn did his best to look oblivious only somewhat succesful but he dropped it all when she mentioned food. Food! They key to any man! Especially one as large as he, he had burned a lot of energy today after all and well supping with a lovely girl beat dipping into purses for sure. "I would be most honored...Ime." Her name felt good to say, sweet on the tongue. Fire crept up his own neck..was this.. was this attraction? Of course it was and why the heck not?! Look at her. Of course he was a bit rusty...oh dear. He walked over to a table and held a chair out for her and waited for her to sit before she did, winking at the Innkeep who rolled his eyes. He was a good friend of Thorn's, ever since Igran had caught him stealing in the Inn...after a good thrashing and a promise never to do so again, he and Igran had become good friends. It was handy to have a tall burly lad about. Igran had frowned at his wound when they had come in but Thorn shook his head, no it had not been his companion that had done it. He handed her the menu and wistfully wished that their hands would touch.
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:08 pm
Ime couldn't help but grin and shake her head at the elaborate way with which he accepted her offer. The little pause before her name caused some silly little shiver to rise up her spine, something she had never experienced before.
"Oh..." Words were one thing, but actions! She was a girl used to being the youngest in the group, still treated like a child sometimes even as she traveled into womanhood. She was small, she supposed, and happy most of the time. Healing had been her first foray into mutual respect, and perhaps that was why she struck out sturdily with the pretense of sharing her skills. Either way, nobody had ever pulled her chair out for her. "Thank you."
She sat down demurely but grinned up at Thorn and accepted the menu. Their hands brushed only barely but it was enough to cause another blush and a shy smile. The menu was visually being perused, but Ime's thoughts were on her temporary companion and not the words before her.
"The stew, you said?" Maybe Thorn was a regular here?
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:30 pm
"Hmm? Oh yes the stew is wonderful. Highly recomend it, and the roast isn't bad either. I'm going with the stew myself, its most delicious and hearty." He had been distracted by his fantasy half coming true, the menu had been positioned awkwardly and she had touched him. That spot on his hand hummed warmly, latent healing magic? Or just...magic. He swallowed, "Do you have someone in Sauti? Family, friends, significant other?" Well there was no harm in asking was there? He was in deep stew. The Innkeeper clicked a tongue at him walking over. "Rascal. What would you care for milady?" He bowed to Ime politely. "Whaaat, I was just asking." Thorn grinned unrepentant. "And to think I recommended this place above all others." He shook his head fake woefully. Igran swatted him with the towel. "Och I'm injured watch where you flick that thing!"
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 8:41 pm
She opened her mouth to respond, but she turned to the innkeeper as he approached. Clearly Thorn was a regular, or at the very least he had friends in management. Ime smiled and offered a slight bow of respect, then waited for the two to finish bickering. It was cute. It reminded her of her friends at home.
"I think I'll have the stew," she said finally, setting her menu aside. She hadn't really read a single thing on it really. Hopefully Thorn had good taste. She didn't dare answer until Thorn had given his own order and the innkeep had disappeared. It would be nice to avoid unnecessary teasing. She felt so happy and content at the moment!
"And family and friends, yes." The response came with a slight nod of the head, voice soft. There were few reasons anyone would ask about a significant other, but dare she hope? Never before had she been so charmed by a stranger. It could be dangerous, but for the moment they were in public and she had helped him not long ago. It wasn't like she'd follow him out of the public eye!
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 9:27 pm
Well that was heartening. "I just have my parents, we live a quiet life for the most part away from the cities, they are a bit..unconventional. Dad is a hoot and mother is very powerful but gentle." He fiddled with his napkin making a little tent. How did one go about this er flirting thing anyway, he got the gist of it but no one had described the utter panicy feeling when you were truly attracted. She probably wasn't interested in such a tree anyway. Annnnd his father said from his age, he probably wasn't done growing...not the stature for a thief at all, more like a forester. "May I see your crystals up close? I've never seen them that color before, its rather fetching as I said before. Mine are almost purple but more of a dusty version."
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 10:00 am
"It's just me and my mama," Ime added, smiling and nodding. It wasn't a bad thing! As it turned out, her dad didn't really seem like the kind of person she was interested in associating with, at least not at this point in her life.
She noticed that Thorn was fiddling, propping up his napkin and looking away. It was cute.
"Oh? Um." Ime's gems ran down her neck and the upper half of her arm, then down her side and leg. It wouldn't be easy to show him from here, but she supposed it was a reasonable enough question. She'd never met someone with gems like hers. Rather than fuss, the young hybrid stood and brought her chair to Thorn then pushed her hair back from her neck and tilted her head so he could see. of course her upper arm was also available. "Mama's are pink." And of course her father's must have been blue and cloudy. Hers were somewhere between the stony growths of the Ice tribe and the clear gems of the Wind. She was rather proud of them really, or as proud as one could be of one's own genetics.
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 10:52 am
Thorn was rewarded with a much closer look then he thought he would get. She pulled her hair back and he got to see quite a few gems marching down the graceful curve. He reached out a hand "May I?" He asked, he was too chicken to just do it, it was after all her own personal space. They were truly a unique color, lovely to behold. Her skin and hair was also beautiful and he had noticed the amazing green blue of her eyes. He wondered how someone had not scooped her up yet. Perhaps that was most fortunate for him. She was delicate and tiny and gentle but full of life, it was quite the contrast. In comparision he felt like a clumsy giant but despite this he too was gentle when he wanted to be. He couldn't imagine anyone hurting her. In fact the thought kinda ticked him off. There were boundaries to society and that was definitely one of them.
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 2:27 pm
She looked up to Thorn and her lips parted as a blush ran vividly across her cheeks. May he? May he what, touch? Nobody had ever touched her on the neck before, especially not a boy. She swallowed and her eyes fluttered away for just a moment.
"You may," she said, voice soft. Her heart began to race in her chest, not thinking that he might just decide to touch her arm. Why was the notion so exciting? It was just a touch!
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:27 pm
Thorn let his arm go and traced the beautiful gems on her neck, he felt a little bit electrified. He had never had this feeling before and it was at once enchanting and a little scary. One side of his mouth quirked up, and he pulled back his hand. "Fantastic," he said. Then after an awkward pause he found another topic to speak about. "Have you been a healer long? You seem well versed in the art." Now when he thought of her hands on him his muscles tightened and his wound throbbed in protest. He grunted quietly and tried to distract himself. Happily he noticed that she was still close to him. Was attraction always this potent? Wait, attraction..thats what this was..oh gods. Was his face like on fire?
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:44 pm
Her breath caught in her chest as he touched her. His hands were warm. Big. Strong. Ime's cheeks were undoubtedly violet once more and as Thorn's hand escaped, her own replaced it as if she could draw some of that warmth from the area he had touched.
Oh boy, this was new. This was all new! She felt all adrenaline-tingly in so many places! "Hm? Oh. Well. My mother was a healer, so I've always sort of been around it, but I've been an 'official' healer for a while now. She taught me salves and potions even when we didn't know what I wanted to do. I assisted in a lot of things." She smiled, remembering the babies she had helped into the world; in the end they had had a lot to do with her career decisions!
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