(no subject)
Cotton Candy #22. Interruption
Story : knights
Rating : PG
Timeframe : 1267
Word Count : 439
Kairn stopped just inside the door, hand still on the knob. Eyes sweeping the dark reaches of the crowded tavern, he let his fingers slide slowly away and his hand fall to his side. Shuffling across the floor, he scanned every table and the shadowy bodies that surrounded them, for a glimpse of red.
When he found it, he shook his head, quickly blinking, as if the image before him might change, if only he willed it hard enough to do so. Fists clenched, he strode for the table at the rear and its pair of occupants. Their chairs pressed close together and bodies closer, the two were kissing deeply, hands winding over each other.
Kairn planted himself within their sight and folded his arms across his chest. “Lyssa?” he said, his mouth suddenly dry, as he tried his best not to focus on the grip the stranger had on her breast.
She untangled herself hastily from the man, who passed a curious look from her to Kairn and back. Something muttered to her companion and an agitated wave of her hand sent him scurrying towards the bar, though he cast a wary glance Kairn's way as he passed.
“Who’s your friend?” said Kairn, as she made a pitiful effort to smooth her blouse.
“Don’t know.”
His jaw fell as he glanced between Lyssa and the stranger at the bar. “What do you mean, you don’t know? “
“Oh.” She reached for her drink. “I’m sure he told me his name, but I don’t particularly care.” Kairn stared, open mouthed and sputtering, as she calmly raised the mug to her lips.
“What?” She fixed him with a glare. “You don’t ever get lonely?”
“Of course,” said Kairn. “But I don’t go running to the nearest whore when I do.”
The tankard met the tabletop with a loud thump, amber liquid rolling across the bottom. Lyssa’s eyes, barely blinking, never left him. Soft lips drawn tight, she said not another word.
Kairn sighed. “You…” He swallowed. “You don’t have to be alone, you know.”
“I think,” said Lyssa, “that whatever offer you’re about to make would be better left unspoken.”
“Right,” said Kairn, as boot strides closed in behind him and Lyssa’s gaze flicked up over his shoulder. “You can come find me tomorrow.”
He ducked his head as he turned away, determined not to catch so much as another glimpse of the man. In a few swift strides, he was at the door. He paused, hand on the knob again, wondering if she still might stop him, before he threw the door open and stalked out into the night.
Story : knights
Rating : PG
Timeframe : 1267
Word Count : 439
Kairn stopped just inside the door, hand still on the knob. Eyes sweeping the dark reaches of the crowded tavern, he let his fingers slide slowly away and his hand fall to his side. Shuffling across the floor, he scanned every table and the shadowy bodies that surrounded them, for a glimpse of red.
When he found it, he shook his head, quickly blinking, as if the image before him might change, if only he willed it hard enough to do so. Fists clenched, he strode for the table at the rear and its pair of occupants. Their chairs pressed close together and bodies closer, the two were kissing deeply, hands winding over each other.
Kairn planted himself within their sight and folded his arms across his chest. “Lyssa?” he said, his mouth suddenly dry, as he tried his best not to focus on the grip the stranger had on her breast.
She untangled herself hastily from the man, who passed a curious look from her to Kairn and back. Something muttered to her companion and an agitated wave of her hand sent him scurrying towards the bar, though he cast a wary glance Kairn's way as he passed.
“Who’s your friend?” said Kairn, as she made a pitiful effort to smooth her blouse.
“Don’t know.”
His jaw fell as he glanced between Lyssa and the stranger at the bar. “What do you mean, you don’t know? “
“Oh.” She reached for her drink. “I’m sure he told me his name, but I don’t particularly care.” Kairn stared, open mouthed and sputtering, as she calmly raised the mug to her lips.
“What?” She fixed him with a glare. “You don’t ever get lonely?”
“Of course,” said Kairn. “But I don’t go running to the nearest whore when I do.”
The tankard met the tabletop with a loud thump, amber liquid rolling across the bottom. Lyssa’s eyes, barely blinking, never left him. Soft lips drawn tight, she said not another word.
Kairn sighed. “You…” He swallowed. “You don’t have to be alone, you know.”
“I think,” said Lyssa, “that whatever offer you’re about to make would be better left unspoken.”
“Right,” said Kairn, as boot strides closed in behind him and Lyssa’s gaze flicked up over his shoulder. “You can come find me tomorrow.”
He ducked his head as he turned away, determined not to catch so much as another glimpse of the man. In a few swift strides, he was at the door. He paused, hand on the knob again, wondering if she still might stop him, before he threw the door open and stalked out into the night.