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Firefoot · 09-26-2011, 11:29 AM

Watching Aldric’s flirtations was even more amusing than Scyld had expected. From the start, he could see that Rowenna wanted nothing more than to rid herself of her relentless pursuer, but Aldric repeatedly blocked her attempts to get past her. He couldn’t hear their words from where he was sitting, but the body language of each of them was clear enough, and he could easily imagine the words that passed between them – Aldric wheedling, as charming as he knew how to be, and Rowenna, cold as ice and utterly composed. He had met few men with as quick a wit as hers, and even fewer women. It was a dangerous combination – stunning looks with a mind to match.

He glanced again at Aldric. Idiot. He would never impress a woman like that.

Rowenna left him standing there and then her glance turned to Scyld. He quickly looked away, embarrassed to be caught staring. He was losing his touch – he prided himself on observing people without them realized they were being watched.

Aldric returned to the table with a frown on his face.

“Didn’t go so well?” Scyld prompted, feigning empathy.

“Oh, she’ll come around,” said Aldric. “It’s just a woman like that doesn’t know her place. They get uppity.”

“They actually think for themselves,” said Scyld.

“Just so,” said Aldric, missing the sarcasm. “They get ideas in their heads. Saeryn too. Eodwine doesn’t take a firm enough hand with her, that’s why they got into that fight earlier.”

“Oh, did they?” asked Scyld, who had no knowledge of such a fight.

“She thought he still ought to be Eorl. Went around his back telling people. That’s what I hear, anyway. But it just shows the kind of trouble women cause when they try making their own ideas.”

“Perhaps the women would disagree,” said Scyld. Actually, there was no ‘perhaps’ about it – he knew that Rowenna would disagree…

“But that’s just the problem!” said Aldric. “It’s not their place to agree or disagree.”

“So you think that any girl you approach ought to take you up on your, ah, suggestions?”

“Well, I’m not going to go around approaching queens. I know my place. But she’s a serving girl, and I am a fine soldier. She says she ‘speaks for herself’ – that means she hasn’t got anyone looking after her, so she ought to be glad of any man taking an interest in her. She doesn’t know what she’s passing up.”

Scyld smirked. Oh, I think she knows exactly what she’s passing up, he thought, glancing over at her again.

Misreading Scyld again, Aldric said, “If you think it’s so funny or so easy, I’d like to see you try. You can’t get anywhere with a woman like that.”

“Oh, I don’t think it’s easy at all,” Scyld said. It is pretty funny though. “But taking on a ‘woman like that’ would be better done with a full stomach, I think.”

Aldric rolled his eyes, but Scyld did not mind if Aldric thought him a coward for now. He could wait.

09-26-2011, 11:29 AM	#1151
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Scyld Watching Aldric’s flirtations was even more amusing than Scyld had expected. From the start, he could see that Rowenna wanted nothing more than to rid herself of her relentless pursuer, but Aldric repeatedly blocked her attempts to get past her. He couldn’t hear their words from where he was sitting, but the body language of each of them was clear enough, and he could easily imagine the words that passed between them – Aldric wheedling, as charming as he knew how to be, and Rowenna, cold as ice and utterly composed. He had met few men with as quick a wit as hers, and even fewer women. It was a dangerous combination – stunning looks with a mind to match. He glanced again at Aldric. Idiot. He would never impress a woman like that. Rowenna left him standing there and then her glance turned to Scyld. He quickly looked away, embarrassed to be caught staring. He was losing his touch – he prided himself on observing people without them realized they were being watched. Aldric returned to the table with a frown on his face. “Didn’t go so well?” Scyld prompted, feigning empathy. “Oh, she’ll come around,” said Aldric. “It’s just a woman like that doesn’t know her place. They get uppity.” “They actually think for themselves,” said Scyld. “Just so,” said Aldric, missing the sarcasm. “They get ideas in their heads. Saeryn too. Eodwine doesn’t take a firm enough hand with her, that’s why they got into that fight earlier.” “Oh, did they?” asked Scyld, who had no knowledge of such a fight. “She thought he still ought to be Eorl. Went around his back telling people. That’s what I hear, anyway. But it just shows the kind of trouble women cause when they try making their own ideas.” “Perhaps the women would disagree,” said Scyld. Actually, there was no ‘perhaps’ about it – he knew that Rowenna would disagree… “But that’s just the problem!” said Aldric. “It’s not their place to agree or disagree.” “So you think that any girl you approach ought to take you up on your, ah, suggestions?” “Well, I’m not going to go around approaching queens. I know my place. But she’s a serving girl, and I am a fine soldier. She says she ‘speaks for herself’ – that means she hasn’t got anyone looking after her, so she ought to be glad of any man taking an interest in her. She doesn’t know what she’s passing up.” Scyld smirked. Oh, I think she knows exactly what she’s passing up, he thought, glancing over at her again. Misreading Scyld again, Aldric said, “If you think it’s so funny or so easy, I’d like to see you try. You can’t get anywhere with a woman like that.” “Oh, I don’t think it’s easy at all,” Scyld said. It is pretty funny though. “But taking on a ‘woman like that’ would be better done with a full stomach, I think.” Aldric rolled his eyes, but Scyld did not mind if Aldric thought him a coward for now. He could wait.