Thread: Dominant Paladin, Innocent Bard (PsionicCuttlefish & SweetandSour)

Even though Tyler continued to eat in a fairly delicate manner himself, he still couldn't help but kind of like how vigorously Gwen was tearing into her food--and not just because of the little 'mess' she was making. While maybe 'natural' for an orc, here was a woman who didn't cloak herself in pleasantries and hide how she felt about things. Smoother for business and diplomacy though courtly protocols may be, hers was a more 'honest' attitude, and Tyler simply thought there could be something respectable about that. Being assured that he would probably see Gwen's nifty trick for subduing attackers was also something he appreciated--he was curious to find out, but confidently knew he could wait until it came up. Eventually, Gwen finished off her meal with Tyler not far behind, but to be fair he had taken smaller portions and stood up to ask about the prize money for the tournament, at which Tyler jolted a little more alert. Oh, right! Yes, of course, my apologies, it slipped my mind to give to you. Here... He said quickly, fishing the fist-sized and well-tailored moneypurse from his knapsack to hand it over. He then blinked as she asked him about knowing the town and about a place that could use the money. Uhhh...Iiiiii... He said in a quiet and drawn-out manner, avoiding stammering but unable to come up with an answer to the unexpected question right away. Fortunately to him, she seemed relaxed about it and didn't demand an immediate answer, as she got up and encouraged him to enjoy the night while giving him another hair-ruffle. It was still an unfamiliar kind of playfulness to him, yet he tilted his head a modest angle down with a slight bashful smile, as he found that he was thinking...he could get used to casual contact like this. But then, she suddenly leaned over him, an unexpected and imposing move that naturally had Tyler shrink back just slightly on reflex, with her head just to his side for her to growl in his ear... His eyes widened as he sucked in a small and sharp breath. It was so quick, he honestly didn't even have time to attempt an apology or even any actual thought , just the immediate certainty that he had done wrong, he hadn't stopped himself from giving her impressive figure too many unchaste glances and she had caught it, he had been a cad...and then she growled the 'punishment'. If he wasn't frozen in place from the burst of fear, he would have done quite a double-take--as it was, the cold feeling that ran through his body from her moment of apparently-ribbing 'intimidation' vanished as quickly as it had come. ...Wait, wha-- Which was then followed by the smooth whisper and warm breath on his neck, sending a tingling wave through his spine. Which was then followed by, as Gwen stood up with a mirthful guffaw, a hot feeling running through his body very much a whiplash contrast from the cold feeling a moment ago! as his face instantly went rosy, upon actually realizing what she had said . It--uh! I, um, th--wha, it... He could only stammer out completely random syllables as she walked away, calling back at him with a tease about how she might or might not be serious. Tyler just sat there for a few moments, still red-faced and wide-eyed, before finally ending his stammering with a simple Buh?! She...had 'threatened' to him possibly the lewdest and most contrary 'punishment' he had ever heard. It took him a minute of overthinking as well to decide whether or not she had been serious, before settling on that she had to have just been making a dirty joke. Yeah, just a joke, there was just no way she could have been serious, just having a little teasing fun at his expense. And really, after Tyler calmed himself down, in a way that reassured him more than ever that things were going to be okay, that travelling with Gwen would be nothing like he had been fearfully anticipating. She wasn't going to seriously punish him for little mistakes like the knights and drillmasters that demanded perfection, make him have to worry about strict consequences for every tiny action, force him to conform to an exact mold with no deviation allowed. For the first time today...possibly even the first time in weeks, or months , Tyler felt able to really relax and not fear what the future would bring. And with that freedom from worry, came the resolve to give Gwen his best in helping her out in her travels, in the ways he was good at, and ways he could get better at. Tyler ordered himself another mug of beer just a small one, he was not going to let this be the first time he got drunk and have one of those 'hangovers' on the very first morning of serving as a squire to an orcess who he was looking at in an even more appealing light than he had imagined and slowly enjoyed it as he loitered around in the tavern of merry-making people, just having a good night for themselves without a care in the world. After that, he took a short walk from the inn-tavern through the town streets in the crisp night air. He felt lighter somehow, and it wasn't just from the weak 'buzz' of the alcohol he was quite accustomed to dinners with wine, but it took him until he randomly wandered by one of the town's less-well-kept buildings to get why he didn't have a care in the world either anymore, at least insofar as he no longer had concern or anxiety about the future. But there were those who still did. His mind set, he returned to the inn and got one of the smaller single-rooms to himself to sleep in for the night. The young adult elf was up bright and early in the morning, and went down in the main room of the tavern to get a quick, modest breakfast--and whether Gwen was already there before him or arrived a little later, he went up to her, with hardly a trace of yesterday's glumness or apprehension in his eyes. I know a place that could make good use of your prize-money if donation's on your mind. Shouldn't take too long. He said confidently. And afterwards, if you don't already have a particular destination in mind...one of the good things of my upbringing was the education on geography and events. I know a lot about places in this province and many nearby ones, and even some about the wildlands. Just tell me what you want to look for, I should be able to tell you where it is and how to get there.