An Alliance of Glass [TheCaptain & Risk]

[TheCaptain]

Sam stared at her over several empty mugs and bowels. "The music was good." He remarked as she observed he hadn't left. He studied the scar quietly. He found the woman interesting... There was something about the casual way she exposed a bit of her skin and the tone of command in her voice as she spoke. If he was going to learn more about what was going on and his role in things regarding the Orcs, then it would be wise to keep her within eye shot.

Sam folded his hands against his chest just above his abdomen, his tunic rustling a bit as he did so. His head lulled to this side a bit as he watched her. "It's good to be called friend... But perhaps the best way to make real friends, is to make them with honesty and not magic?" There was a bit of humor in his voice, an attempt on his part to make sure she knew that there was no insult meant in the comment.

"Though I do feel a bit out of my element with such a display of skill and talent... There isn't much that I can do to entertain you." Sam wasn't so much a man of words as he was actions. So when it was his turn to move the conversation forward, he didn't know what to say other than what he was on his thinking. And what he was particularly distracted by was the fact that he needed to oil his bow.

[Risk]

"I try to avoid using my magic on people I want to actually be my friend, but as I'm sure you can tell it's not exactly easy to avoid." Kathy said shaking her head. She ran a finger around the rim of her mug, looking at him as she did. "I'm keeping you from something aren't I?" She asked softly. "I'm sorry I'm honestly not much of a warrior. I mean I can fight, because I was forced to learn for my safety or something but nothing I'm sure you're capable of." She picked up her mug and took a sip, looking down at the nearly empty mug.

"You sell yourself short Sam, I'm certain you have plenty you could entertain me with. You are an archer no? You've bound to see things that a bard like me hasn't." She was smiling still. "Maybe even teach me to use a bow?" She looked to him again, there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She was being sincere with him. Something gave him this feeling that unlike the other people she had been interacting with she was being truthful with him, not a diplomat but a woman who needed a friend. Out of all of the men in the convoy here she had picked him. Her reasons perhaps even unknown to her, she was doing her best to not manipulate him into liking her. "If you have time of course. but don't let me keep you from your evening. I'm afraid I've already kept you too long." She reached over putting a hand on his arm, giving it a little pat. She wanted him to offer to stay, or join him to help him with what ever it was he needed to do.

[TheCaptain]

Sam made a slightly disgruntled noise... He wasn't used to being disagreed with. Additionally, he wasn't one for sharing war stories. "I just need to oil my bow and check my arrows over. Small things that can make a world of difference when done, that can likewise make a world of difference when you don't do them." He sighed a bit, a groan leaking into the sigh. He watched her for a long moment in complete silence. For some reason she wanted him to stick around. He didn't have much more to do, so he stood and headed for the stairs. He stopped at the base of the steps and turned to look at her, "You coming or not? My bow won't oil itself." He smirked a bit before heading up to the room he had gotten for himself. The tools of his trade lie on the table, his armor, bow, and a short sword with intricate Catharan knot work spanning it's hilt.

He removed an old blanket from his belongings that sat by at the foot of the rooms bed. He unrolled it and began to lay various impliments about the blanket before him. He rolled up his sleeves and glanced at Kathy, "Hand me the bow, will you?" He asked softly. He took the bow from her and very carefully unstrung the bow. He lay the string aside then removed an old rag from a worn leather pouch. From a separate pouch he removed a small vial of liquid, when he opened it it let an odious scent loose in the room. He glanced to the window, "You might want to open a window... The fumes do little to me, but they might not be as forgiving on someone with less exposure."

He dabbed oil onto the rag and began to rub it into the wood with great and meticulous care. He explained the process as he worked on his prized weapon, then let it sit for a while. They sat at the table, talking over more beer he'd had brought to the room. "My father was a bowyer's apprentice as a lad you see. And when the Gnoll wars to the south began, he enlisted along with his master. They went and fought, and my father discovered he was a fair archer. So when the war ended, he kept on fighting. First as a mercenary and then as a wandering adventurer. Till he met my mother. That's when he settled down, started the shop, and taught me the trade. I more or less followed in his foot steps." Samuel tried to fill the gap with as much discussion as he could manage, he wasn't one to talk about himself.... But she seemed less inclined than he was to speak of her past.

Once the bow was dry he inspected it, then looked to her, "Would you like to see how it works?" He asked grabbing his quiver.

[Risk]

Kathy followed him up to his room. She was rather quiet not since she wasn't playing. She opened the window when he told her it was probably a good idea. Not really having experience with such things she wasn't going to disobey him. Then she took a seat, watching him with curiosity as he worked.

"Do you enjoy it? Being an archer I mean?" She was strange, he had all of her attention. Her legs were crossed, and she was leaning over the table, propping her head on the palm of her hand. Her eyes full of interest despite one of them being nearly completely hidden by the rim of her hat. She was smiling at him as well, rather enjoying human company.

When he asked her about wanting to try it she was caught off guard. She blinked a few times, biting her lip as she looked at his bow. Then she gave a little nod. "Uhmm, yeah if you really think that's ok." There was a light blush on her cheeks, he had just managed to embarrass a woman who was a performer. "I mean, I have no idea what I'm doing I don't want to hurt anything." She almost stumbled over her words. Some how he was seeing the real Kathy instead of the mask she wore for the rest of the world. She was a wonderful woman with the mask on, but so much more human. She got to her feet, looking rather excited as she walked over and took his arm, gently tugging him to his feet. There was a fire in her eyes as her eyes met his.

[TheCaptain]

Sam chuckled a bit at her concern, as he made his way out to the stables, "As long as you don't point it the wrong way you'll be fine." He tossed a silver piece to one of the stable boys and had them fetch some things for him to construct a target with. He glanced at her, "I'll even stay close by to make sure you use the right end." He gave her a small wink as he waited for the stable hands to bring the straw and wood.

Once the materials arrived, he left his bow in her care so he could begin to erect the target. Once it was built, he moved a few yards from her then draw and arrow, taking his bow gently from her, "Watch me closely, then you can try." He knocked the arrow and breathed in deeply as he draw the arrow into the ready position. He held his right hand in a grip that left part of his palm facing outward, just a few of his fingers used to draw back.

He looked from her to the target and continued to hold his breath, silently focused on the target. He let the breath out softly, the arrow flying from the bow as he exhaled. It thrummed faintly as it struck the target's center, vibrating gently as it the arrow struck the large wooden biscuit that had circles scrawled in chalk upon it. He looked to her, "It's as simple as that."

He smirked a bit as he studied her her, "Have you ever fired a bow before?" He held the birch wood weapon out of her, stepping aside so she could take his place.

[Risk]

Kathy held the bow with delicate hands, scared she would damage it. She was blushing from being so nervous as he set up a target she was apparently supposed to be shooting at. Her fingers ran over the curves of the bow without her realizing it, when he took the bow back from her she felt her heart sink a little. Her eyes fell onto the man that had been nothing but kind to her, willing to spend more time with her than any of the men she was supposed to be diplomatic with. There was no spell she had to cast to keep him close, no he was real and brave enough to talk to her. She took off her hat as she watched him shoot the bow, her eyes studying his form. When he spoke she blinked a few times, her eyes having followed the arrow to the target.

“Um.. no. Despite the pointy ears I’ve never used a bow before.” She said as she took the bow from him, taking over his place. She put her hat on his head not wanting to set it on the ground; it was her favorite after all. Then carefully taking an arrow she managed to knock it after a moment. Her lack of experience with a bow showing as she took the same stance as him, she was able to keep the form but there was just no power behind it. Despite being a noble girl she was doing quite well. She managed to steady herself and her breathing before letting the arrow fly. He could hear the string snap against her arm as the arrow fell just short of the target. She had let out a little yelp when the string had hit her arm and now she was rubbing the red mark on her arm. “Ow..” She looked at him pathetically.

[TheCaptain]

He laughed a bit until she looked to him, then he tried to turn into a coughing sort of noise, followed by a grunt of clearing one's throat. "Not, uh.... Bad." He glanced down the way, where the arrow stuck out of the ground. "Let me help." He moved over to her with a new arrow. He stood behind her and lead her through the motions of drawing bow string back, "Hold your breath till the last second..." He felt no shame with how close he was. He needed to be if she was going to learn to hit the damned target.

His cheek was close to hers, "Don't fear the snap of the string.... It's only doing what's natural. Aim with your left eye.... Let go on three, breath out when you release." His large left hand was over hers at the haft of the bow. "One...." His voice was low in her ear. "Two..." He used the most calming tone her could manage. his right hand slipping from the string gently, running along the back of her hand and down her arm to the elbow, his left hand easing from hers to her left shoulder. "Three."

[Risk]

Kathy tried not to let her heart race away on her feeling him so close. Listening to him speak, she found herself not exactly understanding what he was saying. His words became a blur as she felt his cheek against hers and his hands moving over her arms. She knew he was just teaching her but something sent her heart fluttering. Hearing three she knew she was supposed to let the arrow go, so she did. When the arrow hit almost as well as his had she wasn't paying attention any more. She turned to face him, gazing up at him. She was still just as close as they had been when she was shooting. "Thank you," She was blushing for an entirely different reason now. She stood on her toes, and gently placed a kiss on his cheek. She let her kiss linger, not wanting to step back from him. Her arms reached up wrapping around his neck and hugging him tightly. She had a sudden urge to tell him everything about her, but she kept her mouth shut.

[TheCaptain]

Sam could only blink dumbly. He'd been kissed by a few women in his day, but never after teaching one to shoot a bow. Both brows shot up silently as she hugged him. He had no idea how to react, mostly because he hadn't expected the show of affection. After she released him and dropped back down to the heels of her feet, he watched her silently.

After a second, he cleared his throat then move down range to the target, "Pretty good there Katie..." He didn't think she would mind him taking liberties with her name based on the kiss and hug she had just given him. He gulped a bit as he gathered up the arrows and inspected them to determine if they could be reused. He nodded a bit as he turned to face her. "Good news is, they are all safe to use again..." Sam's voice trailed off a bit as he saw Kathy fighting the urge to laugh.

She gestured silently with her forefinger towards his head. He reached up and sighed, he was still wearing the pointy eared woman's hat.

[Risk]

Kathy watched him walk over and gather the arrows. She was relieved that he'd be able to use them again, she didn't want him to be short an arrow at a critical moment because one broken from teaching her. Watching him move about wearing her hat she realized it really didn't suit him in red, maybe another color but not red. She walked over to him smiling and taking the hat off his head and putting it back on her own. "Good," She smiled. "Well at least I didn't hurt anyone." she giggled, running her fingers over the rim of her hat, letting it settle into he right spot on her head.

After a pause and an awkward moment of silence she brought her eyes up to meet his again. "Why don't you join me tomorrow up front with all the diplomats. That way maybe when we stop you could teach me a bit more? I'll see if I can't procure a bow and some arrows for myself." In truth she just wanted to see him again and have the excuse to be close. She really wanted to see him again and have a chance to talk with him again. He was so human with her from what she was used to, but a woman stuck up at the top she was surrounded by nobles all the time not men that actually had to work for their meals. "If," she hesitated looking up at him, "if nothing else I'd like to see you again and talk. I mean if you want to."

Their conversation was brought to an end much faster than she had wished by a knight wearing red cleared his throat. Kathy froze just briefly but put on her mask with a fake smile that no one would know was fake unless they had seen her really smile like Sam had. "Milady, forgive me but Lord Venin has requested your presence, he said it's of morale." Kathy lowered her head in thought for a moment, her eyes shielded from the knights view as she closed them.
"Alright I'll be there in just a moment." She said opening her eyes once more and looking at the knight. Then she turned her attention to Sam again. "Thank you good sir for helping a curious bard with a bow." She curtsied, bowing her head just slightly. She whispered to him with her head tilted. "I'll see you again I hope." And with that she turned on her heels and followed the knight back inside.