It was late.
Raphael didn't exactly know how late, but he didn't really care, either. All of what he did went on long after the sun went down. The day time was for peasants and grunt workers to go about their meaningless existences, earning measly wages just so they could lose said wages to him in games of chance that went on long after the sun went down.
Tonight had been an exceptional night, he mused, pulling his long black travellers coat around him a little tighter as he walked down the middle of a dark cobblestone street, well away from the shrouded openings to alleys and shadowy doorways where thieves and murders liked to hide. Dice had been the game chosen by the patrons of the the sooty little tavern he had stopped in for the evening, and Raphael had spent the last few hours fleecing all but a few. He had stuffed paper in his pockets to prevent the bishani from jingling, but he felt their weight and allowed himself a small grin.
My kind of town- lots of fools with ready coins, he thought.
The moon wavered in and out view as clouds took turns passing in front of it, temporary draping everything in darkness when they did so. The air was laden of the inner-city odors of waste and close quarter living, but was cool and calm, scarcely stirring anything along the streets length.
No, this city was not like the last he had stayed in. There were plenty who were cruel and shrewd, yes, but not like the lot he had last encountered at a half-way inn on his journey here. More than once it seemed that the one fellow, a dark man with slitted eyes, had been onto his game. Still, he had fleeced that one of every bishani he carried, not to mention lifting that jeweled amulet right from around his neck while he slept.
That, he complimented himself, was a real piece of work.
He was a long way from tired yet, but he knew better than to stay overly long at one tavern. It didn't take too long, even for the dumbest of brutes, to start becoming suspicious, or at the very least irate beyond rationale. Better to move on before things got really unpleasant and leaving became complicated.
He let out a sigh and stretched his arms over his head as he walked before lowering and putting them behind his back, thumbs hitched into the gladius sheath strapped across the back of his hips over his coat.
Work is done for tonight, he chuckled quietly. It was time to find a little entertainment. He figured there was probably at least five or six more hours until dawn. There had to be some kind of diversion around a town like this. At least something upscale to recline in with style.
An Opportunity, A Manipulation, and a Terror
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Raphael Quinn
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An Opportunity, A Manipulation, and a Terror
Life is just a mind game.
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Sable Corvi
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Sable would much rather have been asleep.
As a general rule, the night was when she thrived, when drunken men took less notice of their pockets being emptied, when some of the same inebriates were more than willing to buy an attractive young woman a drink and even a meal, and, if money became especially tight, when she was able to find an abundance of patrons for an exceptionally profitable line of work. Nevertheless, she had been walking for a long time, and had rested little, and all she wanted was to curl up and doze off in a comfortable bed.
First, though, she had to find one.
This city was quiet for the time of night, she mused, quieter than many she'd been used to. Perhaps it hadn't been a good choice. But like any city, it held many opportunities, legal and otherwise; she only had to know where to look.
She yawned wide but silently, looking up at the wavering light of the moon. Briefly, a bird flew across her vision, its wings cooperating with the clouds to block the moonlight, and she shuddered briefly. Her fingers flew to the bag she carried over her shoulder, softly tracing the corners of a book through the bag's fabric, and her eyes flicked back to the path, watching her feet thump against the stones.
Momentarily, she heard an almost inaudible chuckle, and she saw another pair of feet approaching hers. She looked up involuntarily, then arched a brow, her steps slowing. He was mildly attractive, she thought, smirking. No, more than mildly. She couldn't detect any signs of wealth on him, but one never knew. He could prove...useful.
As she drew near, she veered a little to one side, intending to brush shoulders with him. If he ignored her, so be it. If he turned, if he spoke...well, what happened would happen.
As a general rule, the night was when she thrived, when drunken men took less notice of their pockets being emptied, when some of the same inebriates were more than willing to buy an attractive young woman a drink and even a meal, and, if money became especially tight, when she was able to find an abundance of patrons for an exceptionally profitable line of work. Nevertheless, she had been walking for a long time, and had rested little, and all she wanted was to curl up and doze off in a comfortable bed.
First, though, she had to find one.
This city was quiet for the time of night, she mused, quieter than many she'd been used to. Perhaps it hadn't been a good choice. But like any city, it held many opportunities, legal and otherwise; she only had to know where to look.
She yawned wide but silently, looking up at the wavering light of the moon. Briefly, a bird flew across her vision, its wings cooperating with the clouds to block the moonlight, and she shuddered briefly. Her fingers flew to the bag she carried over her shoulder, softly tracing the corners of a book through the bag's fabric, and her eyes flicked back to the path, watching her feet thump against the stones.
Momentarily, she heard an almost inaudible chuckle, and she saw another pair of feet approaching hers. She looked up involuntarily, then arched a brow, her steps slowing. He was mildly attractive, she thought, smirking. No, more than mildly. She couldn't detect any signs of wealth on him, but one never knew. He could prove...useful.
As she drew near, she veered a little to one side, intending to brush shoulders with him. If he ignored her, so be it. If he turned, if he spoke...well, what happened would happen.
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Raphael Quinn
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The breeze wafted and it was the smell he noticed first, before he lowered his gaze from the shadowy moon. It was such a distinctly different smell from any other, one that came in a variety of unique scents, but all sharing the same characteristic that he had come to be exceptionally proficient at recognizing.
The unmistakably tantalizing scent of a woman.
Then Raphael saw her and allowed himself a small grin. The flickering moonlight rippled hightlights across an unusually beautiful face, set with a cool feminine expression somewhere between interest and apathy, perhaps the smallest inclination of a smile tilting the corners of her soft lips. Long, deep-colored hair fell down past and around her shoulders, swaying a little with her steps. As they neared his eyes quickly followed the flow of curves down and up her body, and in the handful of seconds that elapsed as their pathes brought them directly toward each other, Raphael's mind was already well on its way toward potential diversions for the night.
They passed- shoulders lightly brushing and Raphael breathed in the scent once more, analyzing its singular hintings.
She could have walked on the other side of the street. But she chose to not change her course and walk this close to him.
Raphael grinned a little wider. She wanted to play.
So he stopped and turned, waiting until she had taken a few more steps before he addressed her in a pondering tone,
"There are three kinds of people who walk the streets at this time of night," he mused, and raised one hand and counted them off. "One, those who do not wish to be seen. Two, those who are trying to find them. And three, those whose are a little too twisted for business in the daylight."
He paused for just a moment, casually lowering his hands and letting his right one rest back on his gladius in a relaxed stance.
"So which are you?"
It was a gamble, of course. All of this was.
Which was why he was grinning.
The unmistakably tantalizing scent of a woman.
Then Raphael saw her and allowed himself a small grin. The flickering moonlight rippled hightlights across an unusually beautiful face, set with a cool feminine expression somewhere between interest and apathy, perhaps the smallest inclination of a smile tilting the corners of her soft lips. Long, deep-colored hair fell down past and around her shoulders, swaying a little with her steps. As they neared his eyes quickly followed the flow of curves down and up her body, and in the handful of seconds that elapsed as their pathes brought them directly toward each other, Raphael's mind was already well on its way toward potential diversions for the night.
They passed- shoulders lightly brushing and Raphael breathed in the scent once more, analyzing its singular hintings.
She could have walked on the other side of the street. But she chose to not change her course and walk this close to him.
Raphael grinned a little wider. She wanted to play.
So he stopped and turned, waiting until she had taken a few more steps before he addressed her in a pondering tone,
"There are three kinds of people who walk the streets at this time of night," he mused, and raised one hand and counted them off. "One, those who do not wish to be seen. Two, those who are trying to find them. And three, those whose are a little too twisted for business in the daylight."
He paused for just a moment, casually lowering his hands and letting his right one rest back on his gladius in a relaxed stance.
"So which are you?"
It was a gamble, of course. All of this was.
Which was why he was grinning.
Life is just a mind game.
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Sable Corvi
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She paused mid-step and turned, as if surprised by the sound of his voice. She was, a little; when he hadn't spoken for a moment, she had expected him to walk by as if they hadn't touched. She wouldn't have been too disappointed. She never expected success on her first encounter in a new city; it was rare that she found a gem, both useful and usable, early on. His words gave her new hope that he might be such a find.
The words themselves, too, were unexpected, and almost intriguing. Certainly, they weren't your average proposition or pick-up line. She watched him for a moment, as if considering his answer, although really she was examining him closer. He was definitely good-looking. And if the grin on his face was any indication, he knew it.
She was almost inclined to like this young man from the start.
After just a moment, she met his eyes. “Interesting question,” she murmured. As she spoke, her hands moved to her clothing, tugging the fabric over her hips almost unconsciously, methodically. “I have nothing to hide from, no reason to avoid being seen. Why should I? And I'm not trying to find anyone...specific,” she added, for the sake of some semblance of honesty. “So I guess that leaves me in the third category, doesn't it?” She laughed lightly. “Twisted? I'm not sure. Perhaps.”
With that, she moved closer. He looked thoroughly at ease with the situation, while she, as was usually the case in such circumstances, felt uncomfortably tense. Not nervous, just...careful. She let out a quiet breath, making a concerted effort to appear as relaxed as he.
“So,” she continued, flashing him a smile. It was false, but she liked to think that it looked genuine after years of practice. “Which are you? Hiding? Seeking? ...Twisted?”
The words themselves, too, were unexpected, and almost intriguing. Certainly, they weren't your average proposition or pick-up line. She watched him for a moment, as if considering his answer, although really she was examining him closer. He was definitely good-looking. And if the grin on his face was any indication, he knew it.
She was almost inclined to like this young man from the start.
After just a moment, she met his eyes. “Interesting question,” she murmured. As she spoke, her hands moved to her clothing, tugging the fabric over her hips almost unconsciously, methodically. “I have nothing to hide from, no reason to avoid being seen. Why should I? And I'm not trying to find anyone...specific,” she added, for the sake of some semblance of honesty. “So I guess that leaves me in the third category, doesn't it?” She laughed lightly. “Twisted? I'm not sure. Perhaps.”
With that, she moved closer. He looked thoroughly at ease with the situation, while she, as was usually the case in such circumstances, felt uncomfortably tense. Not nervous, just...careful. She let out a quiet breath, making a concerted effort to appear as relaxed as he.
“So,” she continued, flashing him a smile. It was false, but she liked to think that it looked genuine after years of practice. “Which are you? Hiding? Seeking? ...Twisted?”
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Raphael Quinn
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The fact that she added the "specific" onto the end of that sentence made Raphael tweak an amused right eyebrow up just a notch. It left a few implications open to the imagination, but Raphael discarded the first one. She wasn't a prostitute, not as a profession. They had a different walk, different attitude of ridiculous self-advertising.
This woman was dressed to intrigue, not blandly provoke. No, definitely not a prostitute.
But her subtle move foward as she pushed the fabric down across her hips, briefly accenting with smooth effect the graceful curves of her body, also told him that she was no amateur. Perhaps someone a little like himself? Looking for a diversion?
How very intriguing, he thought.
He laughed softly as she turned his question on him, enjoying being the subject of that smile.
"Me?" He laughed again. "I play hide and seek with the twisted," he answered with a small grin. This was his kind of game. It was all a gamble, what would make the other party be drawn in or cause them to be turned away. Some chance, but also skill. Oh, so much skill.
And like cards, you didn't play based on your hand. You played based on the other player's hand. You had to read the bluff, the tell, the confidence or the doubt.
She was a little tense? Maybe? But then, that just meant that she wasn't stupid. She wasn't stupid, so she wasn't doing this by accident. She was reading this as much as he. Obviously she was interested, now it was a game of words.
So we play to that.
And Raphael reciprocated the action of making a step forward, although slightly to the side as well, so as to change the angle, almost as though he was beginning to move in a line that would cause him to circle her.
"Ever played hide and seek?" He asked, his voice light and ever-so calculatingly coy.
This woman was dressed to intrigue, not blandly provoke. No, definitely not a prostitute.
But her subtle move foward as she pushed the fabric down across her hips, briefly accenting with smooth effect the graceful curves of her body, also told him that she was no amateur. Perhaps someone a little like himself? Looking for a diversion?
How very intriguing, he thought.
He laughed softly as she turned his question on him, enjoying being the subject of that smile.
"Me?" He laughed again. "I play hide and seek with the twisted," he answered with a small grin. This was his kind of game. It was all a gamble, what would make the other party be drawn in or cause them to be turned away. Some chance, but also skill. Oh, so much skill.
And like cards, you didn't play based on your hand. You played based on the other player's hand. You had to read the bluff, the tell, the confidence or the doubt.
She was a little tense? Maybe? But then, that just meant that she wasn't stupid. She wasn't stupid, so she wasn't doing this by accident. She was reading this as much as he. Obviously she was interested, now it was a game of words.
So we play to that.
And Raphael reciprocated the action of making a step forward, although slightly to the side as well, so as to change the angle, almost as though he was beginning to move in a line that would cause him to circle her.
"Ever played hide and seek?" He asked, his voice light and ever-so calculatingly coy.
Life is just a mind game.
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Sable Corvi
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She smiled inwardly as he laughed. The night was looking up. His answer was cryptic, and that made him all the more exciting. Perhaps he'd manage not to bore her while she found a way to get what she wanted.
Perhaps.
Her eyes followed him as he stepped closer; the movement wasn't threatening, not yet, but he definitely seemed interested. This was all working out very nicely. She stayed still, passive, placing one hand on her hip. He was acting now; she only had to follow, to let things unfold and carefully manipulate the results to her advantage.
At his question, she inclined her head slightly. His tone of voice, the way he held himself – everything about him signaled confidence. She liked that.
Could she use it?
She formed her answer carefully; she had to keep him interested, intrigued. “I have. A long time ago,” she murmured. “Or...perhaps not so long. I'll warn you, though.” She met his eyes, hers twinkling impishly. “When I play, I play to win.” He could decide for himself what that meant.
She found herself anticipating his answer, wondering how he might respond. This was already entertaining.
And it could only get better.
Perhaps.
Her eyes followed him as he stepped closer; the movement wasn't threatening, not yet, but he definitely seemed interested. This was all working out very nicely. She stayed still, passive, placing one hand on her hip. He was acting now; she only had to follow, to let things unfold and carefully manipulate the results to her advantage.
At his question, she inclined her head slightly. His tone of voice, the way he held himself – everything about him signaled confidence. She liked that.
Could she use it?
She formed her answer carefully; she had to keep him interested, intrigued. “I have. A long time ago,” she murmured. “Or...perhaps not so long. I'll warn you, though.” She met his eyes, hers twinkling impishly. “When I play, I play to win.” He could decide for himself what that meant.
She found herself anticipating his answer, wondering how he might respond. This was already entertaining.
And it could only get better.
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Raphael Quinn
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Raphael grinned wolfishly. Oh, she was a rare occasion, one that he felt himself drawn into with every syllable she spoke. The game was one of subtle seduction, and she played with uncommon tact as he noted for the first time in the silver lighting the rich blue color of her impish eyes. Eyes that held an unspoken tease.
He let himself take another step, again slightly toward her, but again on a line that was not directly toward her. He was nearer, but did not appear to be encroaching too closely, too quickly. Careful, tactful.
But then again, maybe it was time to provoke a little.
And he did so love gambling.
"Playing to win is simple," he murmured back, taking yet another off-line step. "That's pure instinct. But possessing the ability to win-" his eyes flashed and he stopped moving again, "that's something else entirely."
Then, with a subtle flick of his wrist, a large silver coin appeared between the knuckles of a hand Raphael raised before his face. He rolled down and then up his knuckles once, and with other flick, the coin vanished.
He gave her sly half-grin, lowering his hand.
"It takes something extra to be the one who comes out on top, wouldn't you say?"
He let himself take another step, again slightly toward her, but again on a line that was not directly toward her. He was nearer, but did not appear to be encroaching too closely, too quickly. Careful, tactful.
But then again, maybe it was time to provoke a little.
And he did so love gambling.
"Playing to win is simple," he murmured back, taking yet another off-line step. "That's pure instinct. But possessing the ability to win-" his eyes flashed and he stopped moving again, "that's something else entirely."
Then, with a subtle flick of his wrist, a large silver coin appeared between the knuckles of a hand Raphael raised before his face. He rolled down and then up his knuckles once, and with other flick, the coin vanished.
He gave her sly half-grin, lowering his hand.
"It takes something extra to be the one who comes out on top, wouldn't you say?"
Life is just a mind game.
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Sable Corvi
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He had tricks, did he?
She watched the coin (So he did have money, but how much? Enough to make this worth it?) flicker between his fingers and disappear, and she didn't bother to hide her surprise, or her admiration. She'd seen many strange things, and this would have paled next to some of them if it hadn't been so spontaneous and effortlessly cocky. Was it magic? Or a clever sleight of hand?
Either way, it added to her fascination with him. It wasn't often that someone entertained her so thoroughly within only a few minutes. Most of them tried. He'd succeeded.
Oh, the possibilities.
"I agree," she responded, shaking her hair off her shoulders to leave more of the tanned flesh around her neck bare. "Trying and doing are two very different things. Perhaps I should have been clearer." With that, she took a step closer to his circling path, narrowing her eyes just slightly, alluringly. "I always get what I want."
Usually, she wouldn't have been so forward. Some men were more easily distracted by demureness, by doe eyes and fluttering eyelashes. Perhaps she was wrong, but this one seemed to be of a different sort.
He wanted a game. And she would give it to him.
But by the gods, she would win.
"And you? I suppose you have that 'something extra'? I certainly hope so," she continued with a confident smirk. "I love a challenge."
She watched the coin (So he did have money, but how much? Enough to make this worth it?) flicker between his fingers and disappear, and she didn't bother to hide her surprise, or her admiration. She'd seen many strange things, and this would have paled next to some of them if it hadn't been so spontaneous and effortlessly cocky. Was it magic? Or a clever sleight of hand?
Either way, it added to her fascination with him. It wasn't often that someone entertained her so thoroughly within only a few minutes. Most of them tried. He'd succeeded.
Oh, the possibilities.
"I agree," she responded, shaking her hair off her shoulders to leave more of the tanned flesh around her neck bare. "Trying and doing are two very different things. Perhaps I should have been clearer." With that, she took a step closer to his circling path, narrowing her eyes just slightly, alluringly. "I always get what I want."
Usually, she wouldn't have been so forward. Some men were more easily distracted by demureness, by doe eyes and fluttering eyelashes. Perhaps she was wrong, but this one seemed to be of a different sort.
He wanted a game. And she would give it to him.
But by the gods, she would win.
"And you? I suppose you have that 'something extra'? I certainly hope so," she continued with a confident smirk. "I love a challenge."
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Raphael Quinn
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"I always get what I want."
Oh, I'll bet you do, Raphael laughed quietly, again sweeping her curves with his eyes as she took a step toward him. Even her motions seemed graceful and sensuous to him, the still, cool air and the flickering moonlight painting all of this in unearthly shades and hues.
She seemed to grow more bold as he did. That made for some interesting ideas.
So he took a step directly toward her, the first of its kind, locking eyes with her as he did so, one eyebrow crooked as his little half-grin turned up one side of his face.
"What I have," he took another step so that now they were standing much closer, perhaps a trifle more than a meter of air between, "are secrets. If I give away my secrets, how will I ever make it challenging for you?"
He was close enough that he could smell her scent again. It was a soft, enticing smell that made his gut tighten a little.
"And it is so much fun to keep secrets," he murmured, staring unwaveringly into her eyes.
Oh, I'll bet you do, Raphael laughed quietly, again sweeping her curves with his eyes as she took a step toward him. Even her motions seemed graceful and sensuous to him, the still, cool air and the flickering moonlight painting all of this in unearthly shades and hues.
She seemed to grow more bold as he did. That made for some interesting ideas.
So he took a step directly toward her, the first of its kind, locking eyes with her as he did so, one eyebrow crooked as his little half-grin turned up one side of his face.
"What I have," he took another step so that now they were standing much closer, perhaps a trifle more than a meter of air between, "are secrets. If I give away my secrets, how will I ever make it challenging for you?"
He was close enough that he could smell her scent again. It was a soft, enticing smell that made his gut tighten a little.
"And it is so much fun to keep secrets," he murmured, staring unwaveringly into her eyes.
Life is just a mind game.
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Sable Corvi
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Sable almost stepped back, due more to surprise than any fear, as the man moved more directly towards her. Nevertheless, she managed to stay put, watching with amusement as he arched a brow and quirked a lopsided grin.
They were close now, closer than she'd expected. Did she have him right where she wanted him, or was it the other way around? She held his gaze, returning his grin with a false one of her own. She had to stay in control. This was her game.
"Hmm," she murmured back, not breaking the stare for a moment. "Secrets? They're fun to keep, I suppose, but they're so much more fun to discover." She lifted a brow. "Do you intend to keep yours from me? If that's what you want, you'd better leave now. Don't tempt me to seek them; as I told you, I always win."
She was almost certain he wouldn't leave. He already seemed too entranced to be deterred by her bold challenge. If anything, she hoped it would draw him further into her trap.
If only she knew what, exactly, her own trap was. Did he have anything to offer her, anything from which she would benefit? Money, food, a bed? She was becoming too distracted, too consumed with their wordplay, and she was forgetting where she was, what she was there for.
Focus.
As she paused in her speaking, a bird sounded in the distance, perhaps the same nocturnal avian that had flown across the moon moments before. Sable chuckled softly to herself. "I'm curious to see if your secrets are as interesting as mine," she breathed. "Or as closely hidden."
They were close now, closer than she'd expected. Did she have him right where she wanted him, or was it the other way around? She held his gaze, returning his grin with a false one of her own. She had to stay in control. This was her game.
"Hmm," she murmured back, not breaking the stare for a moment. "Secrets? They're fun to keep, I suppose, but they're so much more fun to discover." She lifted a brow. "Do you intend to keep yours from me? If that's what you want, you'd better leave now. Don't tempt me to seek them; as I told you, I always win."
She was almost certain he wouldn't leave. He already seemed too entranced to be deterred by her bold challenge. If anything, she hoped it would draw him further into her trap.
If only she knew what, exactly, her own trap was. Did he have anything to offer her, anything from which she would benefit? Money, food, a bed? She was becoming too distracted, too consumed with their wordplay, and she was forgetting where she was, what she was there for.
Focus.
As she paused in her speaking, a bird sounded in the distance, perhaps the same nocturnal avian that had flown across the moon moments before. Sable chuckled softly to herself. "I'm curious to see if your secrets are as interesting as mine," she breathed. "Or as closely hidden."
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Raphael Quinn
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He sensed the tension in her at his new proximity, but the fact that she did not waver and did not appear worried only affirmed what he had already decided. She was in this game as much as he.
"In some games there can be more than one winner." He murmured in return, keeping his half-grin and his proximity. And currently I have every intention of tempting you in all ways possible, he chuckled inwardly.
Raphael folded one arm behind his back, his half-grin becoming a full grin, which was still somehow a little crooked.
"But I am neglecting my manners," he made a slight bow from the waist before straightening and offering his other hand in front of him, a gesture inviting the woman to give him her's.
"My name is Raphael- Raphael Quinn. And if you wish to discuss secrets," again, the eyes twinkled, "perhaps we might get out of the night air to do so. After all, one should never speak of close-kept secrets where just anyone might be listening."
His tone was playful and coy still as he added, "I for one prefer to be warm and indoors when speaking of such things."
"In some games there can be more than one winner." He murmured in return, keeping his half-grin and his proximity. And currently I have every intention of tempting you in all ways possible, he chuckled inwardly.
Raphael folded one arm behind his back, his half-grin becoming a full grin, which was still somehow a little crooked.
"But I am neglecting my manners," he made a slight bow from the waist before straightening and offering his other hand in front of him, a gesture inviting the woman to give him her's.
"My name is Raphael- Raphael Quinn. And if you wish to discuss secrets," again, the eyes twinkled, "perhaps we might get out of the night air to do so. After all, one should never speak of close-kept secrets where just anyone might be listening."
His tone was playful and coy still as he added, "I for one prefer to be warm and indoors when speaking of such things."
Life is just a mind game.
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Sable Corvi
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Warm and indoors. Both sounded exquisite at the moment. If she got nothing else out of the encounter, getting inside for the evening would almost be enough to satisfy her. Almost.
She returned the introduction first, neglecting the offered hand for a moment. “It's a genuine pleasure, Raphael Quinn,” she said, and for the first time in many years, those words were basically true. “Call me Sable.”
As she spoke her name, she stepped fluidly closer to drop her hand into his. Her flesh was cool to the touch; she'd been outside much longer than was comfortable, and her clothes didn't provide much protection against the cold. “Warmth sounds like a lovely idea. Do you have a place in mind?”
What he had said was true. If she had been playing the game he believed her to be playing, they both could have won. Even as things were, he would most likely think himself a victor for a time; perhaps he already did. But in her game, she was the only winner. Perhaps he wouldn't discover this that night. If she decided he might be useful on a longer basis, he could remain oblivious for days. But not forever. One way or another, she would get what she wanted.
She always did.
She returned the introduction first, neglecting the offered hand for a moment. “It's a genuine pleasure, Raphael Quinn,” she said, and for the first time in many years, those words were basically true. “Call me Sable.”
As she spoke her name, she stepped fluidly closer to drop her hand into his. Her flesh was cool to the touch; she'd been outside much longer than was comfortable, and her clothes didn't provide much protection against the cold. “Warmth sounds like a lovely idea. Do you have a place in mind?”
What he had said was true. If she had been playing the game he believed her to be playing, they both could have won. Even as things were, he would most likely think himself a victor for a time; perhaps he already did. But in her game, she was the only winner. Perhaps he wouldn't discover this that night. If she decided he might be useful on a longer basis, he could remain oblivious for days. But not forever. One way or another, she would get what she wanted.
She always did.
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Raphael Quinn
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- Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:02 pm
- Race: Human
When she conceded her hand, Raphael inwardly reveled in what he considered a little triumph. Contact made. Her skin was cool from the night air, but soft and distinctly feminine.
"Sable," he repeated, enjoying the way it flowed from his lips. "Entirely charmed to make your acquaintance." Lightly, delicately, he kissed the top of her hand, letting it linger for just the briefest of seconds before straightening once more.
And it occurred to him only then that he was not looking down into her face, but directly into it, level with his own. It made him grin a little wider- it was infrequent to encounter a woman of equal height to himself. In fact, he couldn't recall if he'd ever been in such a circumstance with one of equal height to himself.
Ever, ever so intriguing.
"As fate would have it, I have lodging, just a few blocks from here." He indicated further down the street with nod of his head. "I banked the coals when I left, so it should be very pleasantly warm by now."
Still gently holding the hand, he stepped to beside her and indicated the road with small gesture from his other hand. "If you have no objection, we might retire there and continue this conversation at our leisure?"
It was all the game. The charm, the gentlemanly behavior, the neatly worded-questions. All a game, his game. One where he was enjoying being the dealer, directing and conducting the game.
"Sable," he repeated, enjoying the way it flowed from his lips. "Entirely charmed to make your acquaintance." Lightly, delicately, he kissed the top of her hand, letting it linger for just the briefest of seconds before straightening once more.
And it occurred to him only then that he was not looking down into her face, but directly into it, level with his own. It made him grin a little wider- it was infrequent to encounter a woman of equal height to himself. In fact, he couldn't recall if he'd ever been in such a circumstance with one of equal height to himself.
Ever, ever so intriguing.
"As fate would have it, I have lodging, just a few blocks from here." He indicated further down the street with nod of his head. "I banked the coals when I left, so it should be very pleasantly warm by now."
Still gently holding the hand, he stepped to beside her and indicated the road with small gesture from his other hand. "If you have no objection, we might retire there and continue this conversation at our leisure?"
It was all the game. The charm, the gentlemanly behavior, the neatly worded-questions. All a game, his game. One where he was enjoying being the dealer, directing and conducting the game.
Life is just a mind game.
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Sable Corvi
- Outsider
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:53 am
- Race: Human
Quite the charming gentleman, this one. She wondered how often he pulled this routine on unsuspecting women. Or not-so-unsuspecting women.
His grin widened, and she wished she knew the reason. How frustrating, this not knowing. He, for all his boldness, was more of an enigma than many of the men she had known. This was just another secret, and one that, apparently, involved her. She decided not to ask, however; it could wait until later, when she ran out of things to say.
If she ran out of things to say. It was strange for her, not having to feign interest or dredge up empty words. She had almost forgotten her exhaustion standing there with him, enjoying their seductive game.
And the game had only just begun.
At his suggestion, however, she remembered how tired she was, and the invitation became the best thing she'd heard all night. Warmth. Perhaps a seat, a place to rest her feet. And later – maybe much later – a place to sleep? She certainly hoped so.
“That sounds perfect.” She inclined her head and squeezed his hand lightly, mostly for the warmth. “Please. Lead the way, Raphael.”
His grin widened, and she wished she knew the reason. How frustrating, this not knowing. He, for all his boldness, was more of an enigma than many of the men she had known. This was just another secret, and one that, apparently, involved her. She decided not to ask, however; it could wait until later, when she ran out of things to say.
If she ran out of things to say. It was strange for her, not having to feign interest or dredge up empty words. She had almost forgotten her exhaustion standing there with him, enjoying their seductive game.
And the game had only just begun.
At his suggestion, however, she remembered how tired she was, and the invitation became the best thing she'd heard all night. Warmth. Perhaps a seat, a place to rest her feet. And later – maybe much later – a place to sleep? She certainly hoped so.
“That sounds perfect.” She inclined her head and squeezed his hand lightly, mostly for the warmth. “Please. Lead the way, Raphael.”
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Raphael Quinn
- Outsider
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:02 pm
- Race: Human
He appeared relaxed, but Raphael had lived on the streets too long for him to drop his guard now. This was all a game, and she was far too smart for him to believe she was completely intriuged. Nonetheless, things thus far were going exactly as he wanted them to, and he was more than ready to change tacts should he feel the situation merit it.
Taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow, he led her down the street in the direction he had been travelling before, their scuffing and clacking steps the only sound to be heard in the vicinity. Raphael enjoyed her nearness, the proximity of her body to his own, glancing over at her every so often and marvelling at how very perfectly her face seemed to meld with the silver moonlight, as though it was the light she was always meant to be seen in.
At the same time he was watching for a dagger or potential hand slipping into one of his pockets. He knew that game very well too.
He grinned that wolfish grin again, and led on, contemplating an appropriate question with perhaps two or three more blocks to go.
"May I ask what your business here in Marn is?" He inquired, glancing at her as he did so. A somewhat neutral question, one to which the truth of the answer did not greatly concern him. He wasn't going to believe anything at face value, but it was entertain to try and read the truth out.
Taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow, he led her down the street in the direction he had been travelling before, their scuffing and clacking steps the only sound to be heard in the vicinity. Raphael enjoyed her nearness, the proximity of her body to his own, glancing over at her every so often and marvelling at how very perfectly her face seemed to meld with the silver moonlight, as though it was the light she was always meant to be seen in.
At the same time he was watching for a dagger or potential hand slipping into one of his pockets. He knew that game very well too.
He grinned that wolfish grin again, and led on, contemplating an appropriate question with perhaps two or three more blocks to go.
"May I ask what your business here in Marn is?" He inquired, glancing at her as he did so. A somewhat neutral question, one to which the truth of the answer did not greatly concern him. He wasn't going to believe anything at face value, but it was entertain to try and read the truth out.
Life is just a mind game.