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 Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:51 pm
At the childish mumblings of the man seated next to him, a soft smirk touched his lips as he fought to keep them from quirking into an amused grin. He let his free hand play idly with the fedora on the table as he listened quietly to Logan's careful breathing and the words he chose to say. If Ailin were a stronger man, he might have been able to admit the soft intake of breath was him waiting, holding his breath, hoping he wouldn't hear what he didn't want to, but alas, he wasn't, and if Logan questioned, he'd come up with a fast excuse to explain it away. If Logan heard at all.
The soft smile that had threatened his lips earlier soon tugged itself back into place at the soft fondness Logan spoke of Rory with. Brotherly love, indeed. A strong brotherly bond, but the way his new found friend spoke of the younger lad, that was all Ailin could decipher of him. Exhaling as softly as he'd inhaled, he gave a small tilt of his head at the mention of concern. Allowing the hand that played softly with Logan's back to pause in its travels once again, he pondered over what to say, how to ask about the concerns.
Ailin's mind was quickly halted from the path it had begun to wander as the man he was teasing requested a story with humor. Head tilting once more, his free hand reached up to tap his chin as he thought over some of the sillier things he'd done when he was younger. Certainly he had a few tales to tell, ones that were light and cheery, easy to share without worry about who heard. Laughing softly as some of the old memories darted across his mind, he leaned back and cleared his throat, allowing his hand to resume its dance as he began his short tale.
"Something humorous 'tis then, lad."
Pausing for a moment as his lips once again curled into a smile, this one pleasant and amused, he continued in his lilting voice, "When I was a wee lad, me mum used to say I was too daring, that I'd wind up in trouble some day if I weren't careful." A soft chuckle escaped his mouth as he gave a soft shrug, "Well, one day there were these two cute red heads outside a local pub. I was a teenager, convinced I was a dashing man, and they giggled at me bravado. Another lad came across us, and, well, ye know how lads can be when they must contend for the affection of the same person!"
With another pause, he grinned ruefully before moving on, "In the end, 'twas decided a contest would be had. The lad suggested a test of bravery and conniving." Ailin's eyes twinkled with mischief remembered at how absurd the thought of theft sounded, but how amazingly brave it had sounded not so many years ago. "Whoever didn't get caught - and lifted the best item, won. The lass agreed with giggles, giving us both a light kiss on the cheek for luck. He went first, returned with a simple bit of candy. One for each lass. His gift was so well received that I went in with a thick frown, convinced I'd find something even better to give." The grin grew ever wider as he shook his head, "Little did I know the old man who ran the store saw me come in with furrowed brow, and decided to watch me. When he saw me start fillin' me pockets up, he grabbed me by the scruff o' me neck and took me off to see me mum!"
His free hand reached up to his forehead as he chuckled at the memory, amused he'd been caught so handily, but also remembering the sweet taste of victory. After he'd gotten thoroughly thrashed, that is.
"Though me mum gave me a thrashing I'm likely to never forget for the theft, the lasses enjoyed the gift I gave them more than the other lad. My reward was more than enough to remove the sting from my mother's words - and lashing!"
Amusement still playing handily across his face, he turned his head towards Logan and gave a small nod, "Your turn, lad. A story for a story, lest ye plan on payin' some other way?" A small smirk tugged at his lips at the last, as he patiently awaited Logan's next quip. The man was amusing and fun to talk to, and Ailin was truly pleased he'd found such a fun friend in Durem so quickly.
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Adona Benedicta generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
98!
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:09 pm
Logan hadn't heard the intake past being a simple breath, and hadn't thought to question it for any alternative motives. He was distracted by the dancing hand on his wrist, eyes half-lidded absently. He had almost forgotten Rory was there, and he was 'concerned' over Rory and the bartender. Really, it came down to not wanting Rory to get hurt or anything because of his special "problem". That was it. No one could take care of Rory-kins like Logan could. Of course, Logan wasn't the best caretaker for himself, so how Rory became so well-adjusted is anyone's guess...
Logan's attention went from the physical touching to Ailin's face, watching him while he began telling the story. He casually observed how he reacted to the way he told his story. The pleasant smile, the lilting voice... He was a pleasant voice to be telling a story. The words themselves didn't escape him, though, and a small grin quirked onto his face when he explained about the other lad coming up to the two girls. For a fleeting second, he was curious about the two girls. But like that, the thought was gone, and he was listening to the story of theft and lashings.
He couldn't help the small snicker that escaped as he told about being caught, grinning outright as he watched him reach up to his forehead. He was stocking away the way he moved, the way he spoke, without really realizing it. It'd be analyzed later, maybe with Rory. Of course, his little Rory-kins would probably be the first to jump on the idea that Logan might like this guy past a pretty face and a nice smile. But that's all it was, a friendly face, a nice smile, a good voice for telling tales... Right? Right! ... Right. ... Right...?
He shook his head a little to shake the thought away, and grinned, bemused at the way amusement was casually playing across his face from the memory. "You were a thief early on, eh?" He teased, sitting up just a little to stretch. He frowned curiously as he tried to think of a story, but he couldn't quite resist the retort that was dancing on his tongue. "Oh, I could think of a few ways to repay you for your story." He said, eyes gleaming wickedly at him. "But if it's a story you want..." Logan took on a thoughtful gaze, trying to think of a story that didn't involve Rory or a sad time. A lot of them were sad memories, or violent ones. There had to be something that wouldn't make Ailin go off and run away. Hmmm...
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:17 pm
The careful observations that Logan was making weren't even noticed by Ailin while he told his story. Fond memories oft took him into a world of his own, and most of what went on around him while he spun his words passed him by as if it didn't exist. Logan's snicker; however, was not quite missed, and only added to the bemused look on Ailin's face.
Pleased that the man next to him had enjoyed his story, he grinned at the teasing, his eyes carefully roving over the man as he stretched, managing a slightly distracted, "Oh, aye, lad. A theft of many a thing from an early age..." Tilting his head with curiosity at the frown that crossed his friend's face, a dark eyebrow lifted in amusement at the coy comment. Resisting the urge to bite, or lick, his lips, he gave a devilish smirk and a small shrug before responding with feigned indifference, "Well, lad, if ye haven't got a story, that's all well and good." The smirk grew to a devious grin as he continued, "Granted, the payment for a story is always high..." Allowing the rest of that sentence to dangle in Logan's imagination, he tore his eyes off the man next to him, content to allow the other to lead this dance of their's for a little while.
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Adona Benedicta generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
69!
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:25 pm
Logan couldn't help the way he automatically jumped to all sorts of dirty things at the way the sentence was left unfinished, and his jaw slackened just a little, before pulling up into a grin. Oh, he was good. He was good at this, leaving Logan to lead this round. He smirked a little and composed himself.
Well, as much as he could. Let's not forget who we're talking about here. The physical dancing, now that he wasn't paying attention to the story, was at the back of his mind, coyly teasing at hmi and his mostly harmless thoughts.
"Oh, always." Logan nodded solemnly, carefully pulling the smirk from his face in an attempt to make this a 'serious' discussion. Bartering mostly was. "And a story like that's worth more than a simple old story, I would think." Logan smirked at him. "I'm not one to let debt accumulate, though. I'd be more than willing," he emphasized by leaning towards him, eyes gleaming. "To pay it off." Shameless to every ounce. Logan leaned back innocently, then tilted his head. "To be honest, I can't think of a story that wouldn't ruin this fun atmosphere we've got going." He said, glancing over and smiling ruefully. "I wasn't lucky enough to have good memories." Not ones that weren't tainted with violence, mayhem, and destruction, in any case.
"So," and Logan casually handed the reins back to the Irishman, "How would I be working off this debt, hm?" He smirked at him. Your move, Ailin.
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Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:15 pm
A dark eyebrow twitched with mild amusement as his companion's jaw seemed to slack for just a brief, hesitating moment before flipping into an open grin. It was interesting how swiftly the two had settled into a familiar dance with one another. Both strangers, yet so easily familiar with the other - it both amused and bothered Ailin on a handful of levels. He wasn't accustomed to finding simple banter so quickly with people, and it amused him how practiced his new friend was at this - and how quickly the back and forth had begun. Idly, Ailin wondered where this would end, but as Logan began to talk, he found those wanderings quickly banished from his mind as a soft smile of entertainment took his face.
Tilting his head ever so slightly at the disappearance of the smirk, one of his own tugging desperately at his lips, allowing his head to nod slowly in concert with Logan's, mirroring agreement to what was said. As Logan leaned forward, the smirk won its way onto Ailin's face, and his head tilted just a little bit more as he forced his eyes to look like he was thinking very hard. Tapping lightly at his chin, he began slowly as his eyes continued to stray back to Logan's eyes, "Aye, a story told is worth a fair bit more than a story left hidden, lad. I'm in need of a guide 'round this place, that much ye know."
Pausing to fight against the urge to lick his lips, Ailin instead let an eyebrow raise, as he shrugged, "I suppose we could start there, then?" If Logan wanted to dance this game, Ailin would dance it just as well - and let his friend take control once again. A playful grin tugged at his smirking lips as he waited patiently, eyes twinkling with planned mischief.
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Adona Benedicta generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
75!
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Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:55 pm
Logan lit up inwardly when the smirk won out on Ailin, and he grinned slowly at Ailin's acknowledging agreement. It almost disturbed him that they were thinking along the same lines, though that was the allure of the game. Nevertheless, Logan pulled himself back mentally. Getting attached never seemed to work out in his book, and this was only for fun anyway. Wanting it to be more wasn't going to make it so. Logan paled just a little under the skin when he realized where his train of thought had gone, and shook his head a little. The blanched look was gone a few seconds later, and a smirk wound onto his face.
"A guide." He 'mused' over the idea, when in reality he mused over something else entirely for a good two minutes. Then he nodded slowly, smirking. "I guess I could do that. 'Course, Durem is a big town. It could keep us out late." He grinned at Ailin bemusedly, leaning back into his seat.
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:43 pm
The playful grin was slowly winning out as he watched his fellow man grin to match. It was rather difficult behaving innocently when he knew exactly what was going through Logan's mind - and what was skipping through his. Though Ailin had to admit he was a bit surprised at how quickly this friendship was blossoming, a little nervous at how intense it was becoming even, he also was thrilled at the thought of it all. Not even sure why just talking more with this man pleased him so, and surprised at how most of his thoughts weren't what they usually were in this sort of situation.
Allowing himself to nod slowly when the smirking Logan began to ponder over his suggestion, his alluring grin merely grew at the consenting gesture he received. Now the only debate would be - just a tour or something a little more? Attempting to pan his face into a slightly more serious appearance, he gave a grave nod - amused with himself at how bizarre and out of place it must have seemed even as he did it - "Yes, Durem is a big town. Very busy, a bit confusing to walk around, lad." With a shrug of near indifference he continued, "I'd imagine late nights would be almost required to see the entirety of this place!"
While he wasn't quite convinced the tour itself would take place late into the night, he did know he'd thoroughly enjoy Logan's company at any hour of the day. Or night. Or, for that matter, any time at all now that he allowed himself to ponder over it all. And that was what was more confusing than how similarly the two were thinking.
Smiling as he gazed into his companion's eyes, he wondered just what he was getting himself into - and when he had yet to deliver his message to Fiach, no less.
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Adona Benedicta generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
64!
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 9:14 pm
"Oh, certainly."
Logan casually stretched himself out, leg brushing up against Ailin's and his arms stretching out over the table. He relaxed back into position, then looked over, grinning. "Durem's got too many sights during the night, too. Clubs and bars and all sorts of other interesting places. If you really want a slice of Durem, you have to be nocturnal." His eyes gleamed. "And trust me, I'm good at nocturnal." Logan leaned against Ailin just a little, brushing against him, before shifting away and playing with the bottle he had in front of him. He was trying desperately to not think about the way this was becoming almost too easy. Was he regressing? He'd come so far after James, too. What if Ailin turned into another James? Or one of the guys before James, before the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back?
But that smile made those thoughts stop, and he found himself staring up into Ailin's eyes, smiling a little himself. So far, so many red flags had popped up without Logan being any the wiser. The coy flirting, the touching, the way Ailin seemed to know just where to touch on his wrist for him to melt all over. A billion reasons to run, a billion reasons to act like Rory and make an excuse and bolt home to hide. A billion reasons wasn't enough to make him move, though. He bypassed smiling in favor of an all out grin, and played with the rim of the bottle again, looking back at it idly. "Do you have a place to stay, Al?" He looked over at him and smirked. "A new arrival such as yourself should be properly bedded." In all meanings of the phrase, if Logan had his way.
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Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:15 pm
Stretching a little in his seat even as Logan gave his response, Ailin gave him a soft smile as he completed his stretch. It wasn't that he was tired - he just felt as though his muscles were tightening with all the possibilities from having come to Durem - and from sitting too long, really. Besides, it was getting late and he'd only just got in from Ireland. Another smile came to Ailin's face, accompanied by a snicker, as the man next to him stretched himself out, too. Returning the grin given him, he nodded as he listened to Logan's voice, "Oh, aye, lad, I could see Durem as bein' the place to be for night life."
And with that, the Irishman couldn't help it as a yawn escaped his mouth and a touch of a blush came to his cheeks at it. He intended to excuse himself for the impolite action, but Logan asked him if he had a place to stay and another grin touched the man's lips. "Well, I've a hotel room to stay in, lad." A coy grin and raising of the eyebrow as he added, "Unless ye've a better idea?" Perhaps he was getting in a little too deep here, jet lag must be making his brain into mush. Or, at least, that's what Ailin hoped. He had a message to deliver and then he intended on getting out of Durem and as far away as he might.
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:33 pm
Logan watched Ailin, smiling a little, and nodded a little. "A hotel really doesn't have quite the same feel as staying with someone you know personally, y'know." He said, smirking a little. "If you're looking for something a little more friendly, I'd be more then willin' to offer you a place to stay, Ail." Nothing but good intent in the man's heart, honest. ... Well, mostly honest, anyway. Logan smirked a little, recalling the yawn from mere seconds ago. "You sound like you could use a good rest, how can you expect to get that in a lonely hotel room?"
Well, maybe Logan had his best interests in most of his invitation, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't think going home with the Irishman would be a barrel of laughs at least, and a night to remember at the most. He watched him with an innocent gaze, trying to keep the mischevious gleam out of his eyes. At least, until he'd get an answer out of the man.
Then he could be as smug as he wanted.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:17 pm
Watching the way the man next to him smiled so pleasantly as he made his offer, Ailin gave a small, subtle nod in agreement. It would be so much more pleasant in a home rather than a hotel room - but then, he'd come here with every intention of telling Fiach what had happened to the old man and delivering a message. Ailin had even thought about...pursuing renewed relations with the man. But now as he gazed into the eyes of the one next to him, he found himself instead preferring to ignore his mission here and just spend time "hanging out".
Ailin concluded to handle the matter as delicately and diplomatically as he might and so with a smile, finally conceded, "Aye, lad, 'twould be nice to sleep in a warm home than a cold hotel room." Here, a mischievous gleam of his own lit his eyes as he continued, "But now, lad, I've come to complete a mission and how can I do that proper if I'm right distracted?"
Although, then again...maybe a simple vacation before his mission was really what the doctor had ordered...
With a sigh and a smile, he gave another shrug, "Ah, lad, ye've put me in a horrid position!" Feigning the choice was too difficult, he tried not to grin as one hand moved to his forehead and one to his heart, "How can ye possibly expect to pick between two such choices?" A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he waited with bated breath for Logan's response.
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