Grayell breathed deep again, maintaining composure. He didn't care for drug peddlers and the like and on any given day, would gladly have put a hurt on them. But he wasn't alone. He pointed a finger at the two assholes and growled as he spoke.
Count yourselves lucky. Now get - if I see you around here again, you won't be walking away.
Grayell spun on his heels and forced a smile. He again offered his arm to her and started to walk.
My apologies. I know this is a lawless town but there are some things I just can't tolerate.
"Guess we know oo wears the pants there eh?"
"Yeah, looks like the big one's a bigger bitch than she is....."
A person six months constipated and trying their utmost to remedy their situation did not feel the pulse in their temple as keenly as Grayel did now. He literally bit his tongue. The arm he'd offered Serenity was not compliant and comfortable, but was writhing under restraint. She could not possibly miss that he was... a wee upset.
Granted, she was tired of these men too and would love nothing more than to send them to the birds, but she was no where near as upset as Grayell right now. It frightened her a bit even...
Not wanting to restraint the man more than he already was doing to himself, she let go of his arm,
"I'm sorry Grayell...I won't stop you this time."
Last Edit: Aug 8, 2011 23:15:53 GMT -5 by Serenity
Grayell instantly smiled. He loosed her arm, removed the skewer from his mouth and then raised her hand to kiss it informally. It wasn't with the class and elaborate pontifications of a gentleman, but the gratitude was very obvious.
Almost like a school child let out to play, he winked at Serenity....
... and then he turned to face the two drug peddlers. His face sneered, his eyes were blackened and he walked toward them with purpose. He didn't reach for his sword or crack his knuckles, he simply walked directly to them.
"Aw, look at who's gotten some balls, whatahca gonna ULP."
Grayell had smiled as he rammed the same skewer he had eaten from into the region where shoulder meets neck, downward enough to almost immobilize his arm but certainly not in any way to kill him. A massive knee to his gut and Grayell simple pushed him over, palm to the man's forehead.
He then turned on the man's partner, who appeared to be fumbling for a weapon.
You apologize and I mean it NOW.
"Cripes! I'm sorry mister, honest I am!"
Not to me you blithering simpleton, to the lady. And you'd best hope she accepts, YOU GOT THAT???
Grayell had lunged at the man, staring him down with the ferocity of an alpha wolf to a pup. The thug complied, pulling his hat from his head and holding it meagerly. He scurried toward Serenity, quite ready to jump out of his own skin.
"I'm sorry missus, we bofe are. Please, call im off!"
She couldn't help but cringe when she saw Grayell stab the man with the skewer. It was one of the more graphic things she had seen in person for a while.
Grayell's precision in his attacks was something to be admired though, he wasn't some run and tumble fighter like she's used to dealing with. Although those poor sods couldn't punch through rock.
She looked down at the man who was, grovelling, just like she wanted before, although she was somewhat joking at the time. Still, she couldn't help but be a little pleased.
"I don't know...your friend was the only one who received punishment, why should I let you go free. How do I know you won't just come after me later?"
Grayell was standing immediately behind the man, arms crossed. He was an imposing figure in this situation and damn well knew it. He sneered, but there was something playful in his eyes when he watched Serenity being a hair difficult. He remained silent for now.
"Look, we just wanted to know if you were buyin was all, no arm in a bit of fun and all that right? I won't even rememba whatcha look like, I swear...."
His attitude had changed. She gave him some ground and it put him back in his slimy little comfort zone somewhat. Those words were patronizing, not a plea.
Oh I hope Grayell doesn't think ill of me for this...
"That doesn't sound like a promise,"
Her eyes glowed a shining blue and the wind was beginning to pick up around her. It started slow at her feet, picking up around her midriff, and then the mini tornado surrounded her completely, nearly pulling at some nearby store signs and other loose things.
"I want you to swear on your life that you won't bother us again!"
Graihl smirked, a quite wicked smirk in fact. His dislike for mages was highly subjective after all - and battering her clothes about in the wind wasn't the most unappealing thing he had seen in a while. Arms still crossed, he winked at Serenity though he doubted she could see.
The man swallowed what little gall he had and bowed repeatedly.
"Yes ma'am, you got it! NEVER EVER AGAIN, I PROMISE!
Geebus Flarbin eck, lemme out of here!"
He turned to run but Grayell snatched him by his collar.
Not so fast. Your wares, your ill gotten gold. All of it. Him too.
Grayell kicked the downed thug, who still didn't stir.
Serenity was starting to think she was secretly a sadist at heart. Either that or Grayell was influencing her to much.
In order to encourage the man she picked up the wind a little more, moving it faster around herself. A loose store sign fell off and joined in the twirl of the wind. She might be overdoing it a little.
The mage dispersed the wind before she had outdone herself. Many loose rocks, twigs, and various trash flew around in various directions at ridiculous speeds high up into the air.
She took careful steps toward the dealer, "Do I have to make another demonstration?"
Grayell growled at the man and that, coupled with Serenity's spectacular demonstration, forced compliance.
"NO! I'LL DO IT RIGHT NOW, JUST GIVE ME A DARN SECOND! I mean please! Ma'am!"
The thug proceeded to produce a number of things and some coin from his pocket. Grayell then released him and he went about taking his partner's personal effects and tossing them at their feet.
Grayell growled at him once more and tapped his sword pommel. The thug grabbed his friend and hurriedly, awkwardly scampered off down the street in a hasty retreat.
Grayell watched them go and then finally, having turned to face Serenity, he burst into a raucous laughter, hard enough to hold a hand to his chest and gasp for air.
A deep sigh of relief escaped her, before proceeding to brush her hair again what with the wind and all. She duster her shoulders and other parts of her clothing before she spoke again,
"I'm sorry about that display, it was incredibly unladylike of me."
Of course she'd by lying if she admitted out loud to have not enjoyed it. She usually dealt extreme prejudice before but this was the first time it felt a bit satisfying and not just brushing off a nuisance.
I don't think you have any reason to apologize. Seems to me, you're just full of surprises!
He smiled warmly as he took up the contents that the thug had tossed on the grown. Grayell poured over it - not a great deal of consequence. Some basic herbs in pretty rough shape, a few packs of some nondescript powder and some gold.
He tore open the bags of powder and dumped the contents on the ground, a short look of disgust on his face.
But then, he handed the entire amount of gold to Serenity. There was a scratch on his face, likely from the debris in here wind storm, but he still managed to smile.
Serenity decided to help dispose of the powders after Grayell poured them to the ground. Something about just leaving them there seemed unsanitary to her.
Taking in a calm deep breath while forming a little gesture with both hands just below her chest, she blew out the air in a powerful gust of wind while seeming to push it in one direction with her hands. The wind picked up the dust and carried it high into the air until it could join the natural currents.
She hoped the wind wouldn't carry it into a new town...
Getting her breath back, she noticed the scratch on Grayell's face, not remembering the dealers ever laying a hand on him. She clasped her mouth with one hand before speaking a little frantically,
"Grayell, I'm so sorry, I should of been paying more attention to what I was doing. I wish I knew some healing magic, I feel awful."
Serenity finally noted the little bag of gold, "You should keep it, to see a doctor, and you bought my meal. I can't accept this."
Not helping his smile, she smiled back and chuckled, "At least buy yourself some bandages..."
Grayell hadn't noticed but following her eyes with his finger, he wiped the blood from his cheek. He looked at it in a dismissive manner.
What this? Nonsense....
The blood stirred. It formed a tiny pool on his finger and then slowly, left his digit and floated in the air. As soon as this registered, the drop fell to the ground. Grayell's brow furrowed but he said nothing about it.
No really. I must insist. I have the herbs to heal much worse and this will clear up on it's own. Really. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see you open your store. I'd like to see you wares!
He laughed as he looked at his tattered clothing but shrugged.
Really it's fine. What's some gold between friends?
He took her hand, placed the gold which he had replaced in it's in her palm and covered it with his other hand. He looked at her, studied her for but a moment with a quaint smile.
Come. The hour is late and it's time I got you home.
A little reluctantly she took the bag, "Fine then, you'll see my wares and more, I'll treat you to lunch someday soon and you won't decline! You can't say no when a lady insists."
Not bothering to ask, she grabbed a hold of his arm again with both hands, her own wind having chilled her a little.
"My home should be at the end of this street actually, near the edge of town."