A Knightly Encounter {Rowen}

[KiKi]

"Reggie ... Reggie wake up ... REGGIE!" Esmeralda put a hand on her right hip, glaring at her overly tired coworker who was fast asleep on the bar desk. "Reggie wake up we have custom- Oh sod it all ..." She went out back, grabbed a little pan that was just laying there collecting dust and brought it back in. And, like Esma would do, she began banging it onto the bar table. No one seemed to notice, for it was practically the norm there at that point.

Reggie, the one who had been snoozing away on the table, woke up with quite the start and fell over on his rear end. "Agghh!!! Esma!! Wot the'ell!?" he shouted as he glared at the redheaded woman standing before him.

"Wake up sleepy head, we have customers and I can't do it by myself." With a smirk, she jumped over the counter and walked over to a table who was ready to order a few drinks. "What'll it be today lads?" she asked with a smirk on her face. The customers here loved her, even though they were mostly men, they still loved to hear her talk. What can she say? She's not like the rest of those high end and bitchy nobles.

The boys thought about it for a moment, but before they could decide on anything, a man who had consumed WAY too many mugs of mead stepped in behind the freckled wench. "Well well, look at wot we 'ave 'ere! A beeaaauuutiful lady to keep me company for th'night." A roaring laugh literally belched from the drunken man, the smell of mead and other contents tortured Esma's nostrils.

"Ugh! Mind your manners, and perhaps your oral hygiene." Esma hissed as she turned to face the man. She hadn't realized how tall the drunken lad was, but she could definitely tell how much he had consumed. Too much. "Look, here's how it works around here. You don't touch me, and you don't get your teeth knocked out. Got it, lad?" The man just howled in laughter and bent down to her height.

"Y'lookin' tuh challenge mee? Ahahahh!!! Oh you are quite the scrapper ain't yah? I'mma have a lot of fun whit'yah." The man went to grab her by the loose bun in her hair, but she quickly dodged it and high kicked him in the back, sending him sprawling into the table the two men she was going to order where sitting at. They didn't see to care, in fact they were rooting her on! Esma just laughed and lifted the man by the color and dragged him to the door, his feet scratching onto the wooden floor.

She held him up the best she could so he could hear her. "Next time, think before you try touchin' a redhead where a hand doesn't belong, now out with you!" And with that, she let the man go and kicked him in the rear, sending him sprawling out the door and into the street. Esma scoffed quietly and shut the door on him, officially saying he wasn't invited back until tomorrow ... or until he sobered.

[trick]

It had been a long day so far, his body was already killing him. He had slain another damn griffon that had been attacking a sheep herder's flock. Couldn't the stupid beasts just leave the livestock alone? He grumbled obscenities under his breath as he walked along the street. He walked by a few peasants who pointed and stared. He was used to the attention he got every time he walked out in public. People would stop and stare, smile, wink, blow a kiss or cheer. Every single bloody day there was always someone who spotted him and did something about it. He tried to not let it bother him, he didn't care for all the fame that his job had given him. He wanted to do his job right, that was all he cared about. The fame and the money could go down the drain and he'd still be content with doing his job. Probably more focused then eh? He grinned and the hint of a smirk formed inside his mind, but not his own smirk. Vus, another annoying thing he had to deal with on a daily basis. His sword rested inside its hilt which hung on his left hip. It began to glow blue as he continued to think about that annoying dragon. Ever since he had that sword and that unnatural bond was formed, that damn dragon was always in his head...always.

"I can tune you out you know, I'm not always listening human."

"That's nice, now shut it before you ruin my good mood." Rowan rolled his eyes, shaking his head before sighing. Yeah, he hasn't gotten any decent peace in a very, very long time. He was headed off to his favorite bar, Lucky's. Ahh yes, he was going to become a regular there if he kept up these visits. He knew most of the people there, but there were a few wenches he had missed meeting. He had heard tales though, especially about a fiery red head who could serve you a drink and her fist at the same time. Now that was a wench he had to meet. He didn't have time for women though these days it seemed. Well...he did it was just he couldn't ever find a woman who could handle him. He needed someone like the wench in their drunken tales of her, probably most of it was made up but still. A woman who could handle herself was very appealing for Rowen. Either way he was bound to run into her at some point and perhaps he'd meet her today? As he approached he could see a man being kicked out of the bar, drunken off his arse no doubt. Was that...a red head who had done it? He smirked as he watched her disappear back into the bar and the man dust himself off before walking away. Well now, lets see what would happen in this bar tonight. The sun was beginning to set in the sky and he had a feeling he'd be in this bar for a while.

He stood in the doorway taking in the scene before him. As if on cue the entire room got quiet and all of the patrons were staring at him. A split second later and they were cheering, making Rowen smile. Drunks, had to love them.

"Three cheers fo' Rowen!" They all cheered to their hearts content, offers of buying him a drink came across the room. He never did turn them down, to do so would be more then just rude, it could be deadly. Rowen was always up for a fight but right now he badly just needed a drink. He sat down at a table by himself, his back against the wall as he faced the doorway. It was an old habit instilled upon him, always have your back against the wall and eyes out, watching all who come in. His eyes found the red head he had heard so much about. Well now, she was a proper looker wasn't she? How many men bought her a drink all day and night long, hoping she'd get drunk when in fact she was drinking tea or other liquid? When did drunks ever learn, this was not a bordello and she wasn't going to sleep with them unless she wanted too? From the tales he had heard, she definitely did not want too. He could respect that alright. He'd respect her more if she came over to get him a round of drinks his "friends" here promised to pay for too.

[KiKi]

Esma didn't really pay attention to who came in, but the way everyone fell quite and then not even a second later began cheering, she just had to look at what was all the fuss. Even Reggie, who was usually fast asleep, was awake to cheer on the Knight that walked into the bar. Esma just gave her friend and smirk and nudged is shoulder. "You finally up there Reg?"

"Hell yeah I am! No way in'ell am I gonna miss Sir Rowen!" Reggie gave Esma a wide smirk before attempting to head over to take his order. Esma, on the other hand, just shook her head and grabbed him by his shirt collar, stopping him from moving another inch. Reggie struggled under her grip, but compared to his scrawny build, she could hold him down easy.

"Where do you think you're goin'?" she asked him, "you go over there and you'll pass out talking to him. Let me take his order. Unlike most, I don't go crazy with famous people." Reggie glared at her harshly, but the freckled wench just sarcastically blew a kiss to him and winked before jumping over the bar table again to take the Knight's order. Heh, she had always admired the Knights, especially the ones in The Order of the Dragon. They were very skilled, and they knew how to survive on the battlefield. They had to, otherwise this kingdom would have been in ruin a long time ago. As Esma made her way to the Knight, she ducked under many people who were up trying to offer the lad drinks with ease. She was used to it by this point, and she was pretty thankful not a whole lot of famous beings showed up here, but then again it brought in more customers. More customers, more coin, and more of a challenge for Esma. Pushing all of that to the back of her mind, she made her way to the table and put a hand on her hip.

"I have a feeling tonight's gonna be a bit busy, thanks to you." she told him with a slight smirk. "So, did you come here to buy mead or see if the tales of the fiery wench was true?" Yes, she had heard of the stories. A few drunks actually told her about them, mistaking her for being someone else. They were all quite amusing, and it was nice that she was feared by some of the drunks that came in and out of the bar. At any rate, some people came to buy a drink, others came to witness the fiery wench for themselves, or perhaps do both and end up trying to get under her clothes by offering her drinks. She'd never turn a drink down, but in here she'd rather do that than end up in another man's bed. Bleh.

[trick]

He smirked as she came over, finding her way through the crowd of people that wanted to have the honor of buying him a drink. Good thing he didn't have the whole team with him, otherwise every person here would go broke and his team would be so drunk they probably wouldn't wake up until a week later. Now that would be fun, trying to slay a dragon while drunk. They'd be gobbled up for good and the only one defending the kingdom would be Rowen and...Vus. Ha, yeah that'd be a sight to see, not that he couldn't do it on his own anyway. He grinned at her words. "You should be thanking me, more coin flowin' through here eh? I'm here for the best mead you've got but I've heard things I'll admit. Tales of the wench's beauty and strength. I can see the beauty and I look forward to seeing the strength." He was smirking again, his eyes looking her over. No doubt she held strength in that body, not as strong as his lot but still, strength all the same. "Good thing you're strong wench, you'd need to be with this lot eh?" His eyes traveled to the crowd that had settled down finally. Everyone was talking, drinking and having a good time once more. Usually happened after the shock and thrill of seeing him wore off and there was mead to drink. "When you get back you should put your feet up and have a drink with me. Can be water iffin' ya like, not trying to get you drunk." He gave her a nod to see her off.

The drink wouldn't come any sooner in his opinion. Not that he would admit it but that griffon had given him some hell. It was a matter of finesse and timing when it came to downing those damned birds. A few well placed slashes to the wings and they'd be too hurt to fly with them. Then it was a matter of placement and some sword and shield play before he had jumped on its back and thrust his sword multiple times into the beast. That had finally killed it but by then he had taken a bit of a beating from it. His heavy armor luckily absorbed it but his body was still bruised and sore...once again not that he'd show it to anyone. Now it was time for some mead to numb the pain and shrug it off like usual. Maybe if he was lucky he'd feel better tomorrow though he doubted that very much. Ah well, least he didn't have a girl back home worrying over him, he didn't think he could stand someone fussing over him like that. Probably another reason as why he didn't have a steady relationship with any women.

"I'd like to meet the female you fall for...or on second thought, I probably don't."

"Ha, you and me both Vus, you and me both. She'll be something alright, I can tell you that."

"I don't doubt that one bit."

[KiKi]

Heh, this Knight was really something wasn't he? Complimenting her on both her beauty and her strength. If she had a coin for every time someone complimented her on those two categories, she'd be more rich than the king himself. But sadly, people didn't pay her coin to compliment her, only the bar paid her for her work and keeping the troublemakers out. Although, she sometimes lets a fight slide, as long as no knives were involved. That, was a horrible disaster. Esma smirked to the Knight and scratched the three scars under her left eye. "Well, I would warn you that the best mead we have is expensive for the middle class, but I don't think I have to this time." she said to him with a laugh. "I'll get Reggie to pour us both a mug." But when she turned to the bar table, Reggie was, again, fast asleep. Esma glared and picked up a mug that was just sitting there at the table. With a mischievous smirk, she launched the mug from her hand and hitting the poor Bartender in the noggin. A shout from Reggie bellowed from behind the table and he gave the freckled wench the deadliest of glares.

"Wot!? I'm tryin' to catch m'sleep!"

Esma just rolled her eyes. "Do that at home. Kick your bitch of a wife out if you have to." she retorted as she turned back to the Knight. "I'll be right back with your drink, since lazy over there ain't gonna get it himself." With a hefty sigh she walked back to the table and jumped over it once again with ease and speed. She then grabbed two mugs and filled them, each in a different barrel. One was the more expensive mead, and the other was the regular. When they were done filling up, she set the mugs of mead onto the table, launched herself over it again, took the mead, and headed back to Rowen.

"Here," she said as she slid his mead to him. Esma kept standing, but she did stay so she could talk to him. She could tell, the other ladies in the bar were getting jealous. It amused Esma highly, and often times she would just tease them a little. But tonight, she didn't want to look like a fool in front of the Knight before her, so she just acted like the ladies weren't there. And let me tell you, Esmeralda is a VERY good actress.

[trick]

Rowen watched her jaunt back to the bar, jumping over it to get them their drinks before jumping over it again like it wasn't a problem. Well she had a bit of strength alright, or at least some finesse. She came over and gave him his drink but she didn't sit down. She was eyeing some of the other ladies and Rowen recognized those stares. Jealousy, that always happened when he talked with any women. What was up with that gender? Too much emotion going around, too much envy and jealousy for their own good. She was going to be the stuff of gossip now, whether it'd be good or bad, she'd be known around here for being the woman to have a drink with Rowen. "Well ya might as well plant your bum down, you'll be gossiped about for sure. No woman goes unnoticed if they talk to me for more then a few seconds, so why not give em somethin' to talk about eh?" He kicked the chair out from across him before using the one to his side to prop his feet up. Ohhhh yeah, that felt good. He slouched down a little in his chair and took a drink from his mug. Ahhhh yeah, this was the life. He looked quite content as he relaxed there, waiting for the wench to sit down. It was her choice, though it'd pobably be more fun if they made all the others even more jealous. He didn't really care about all the idle gossip that went around, I mean it was annoying but it wasn't like he could do anything about it so why care? Though the idea of messing with it appealed to him slightly, but whatever. What happened happened and what didn't, didn't.

"So what's your name fiery wench? I'd tell you mine but I don't think I have to. Like working here? Bar fights must fight off the boredom...literally." He smirked, his eyes wandering the bar. He couldn't work in a place like this, other then the fights he'd be bored out of his mind. He was trained to fight ever since his family had been eaten. Fighting was all he really knew how to do now, it was his life. Eat sleep and breath fighting, along with a good helping of training. He trained every morning to keep his muscles in tip top shape and it paid off with each battle he found himself in. Without training he'd be dead for sure, wouldn't last that long. Though with his experience one never really could tell. Still, he would definitely go mad in this place if he was stuck here. He wondered what she thought of it, did she like it here?

[KiKi]

Esma smirked a little and sat herself down in the seat that the knight had kicked out. She crossed one leg over the other and leaned her elbow on the table and looked around the bar a little. I seemed there were already people babbling on about the two already. She didn't care much for people talking of her, or of her with someone famous. Though, she would have to admit the looks the nobles gave her were quite funny. They found her unappealing and unladylike, thinking of her as an animal rather than an actual woman with the ability to take down a brute. Meh, she hadn't the care in the world about what they thought. All Esma wanted was to survive a day in here without her booty being slapped. It worked well if you knew how to put a man on his knees and scream mercy.

"Might as well," she agreed as she looked back to him. "maybe I'll be even more recognized now that I'm sittin' near you." Esma smirked a bit at her joke, for it held truth. The would definitely be noticed, not just as the fiery wench, but the girl who sat with Sir Rowen. What people will come up with theses days for titles ... it truly baffled this young freckled wench's mind. "The name's Esma." she introduced as she pushed some of her fiery hair away from her eyes.

Did she like working here? It was all right, and it got the bills paid. The bar fights made everything a bit more interesting. Though, sometimes it got rather boring due to lack of customers and whatnot, so she would just write in her journal about the day, who she liked, who she hated, write a list of things to remember, stuff like that. Hey, it was better than sleeping on the job like poor Reggie.

Blowing a strand of her hair away from her face she shrugged a bit. "It's all right, sometimes it's slow but I make do. It pays the bills, so I'm not complaining." A smile found it's what onto her face before she asked, "What about you? I don't think bein' a Dragon Slayer is what it's all cracked up to be. I do believe many people talk like they think you can just wave your sword and the dragon disappears." It amused Esma on how many people talked about Rowen like he was some sort of god. Well, I guess that's what you get for being famous.