They used to pass through on the regular as young pockets. Colt wasn't sure when, but Nairn had to shake him out of the hyper fixated stare that followed her every movement. His friend had chuckled, knowing the signs all too well from his own difficulties with a girl. It took Colt months to work up the courage to say more than a ‘hello,’ or repeating the line of ‘lads night out,’ when asked what his plans were. And then Ruth entered the picture.
Colt wouldn’t begrudge the elf for enjoying himself, but something about the way he and Mina capered put his back up. More than once Ruth would catch his eye, grin filthy with rubbing it in Colt’s face just how easily he had the lass giggling or causing her to gasp as his hands wandered. Heaven help him if they were at the same table with Nairn attempting to keep the peace. As much as Ruth tried to rile his temper, Colt’s only option was to retreat, leave the table for a quiet walk, or a smoke, unwilling to encroach on Mina’s fun.
It was a habit he had been trying to quit, replacing tobacco and papers for a toothpick rolling between his lips. He walked up to the main door of the Back Water, the crowd inside already audible from the laughter and bouts of revelry. They’d just settled a big job out in the sticks and were heading homeward, but stopped by to enjoy a few drinks and a bite for their efforts. Colt was tired, his new responsibilities as patch boss had him checking and double checking their shit was secure and ready for when they had to leave again. They’d crash at the tavern, some sleeping in the stables while others took the floor or benches inside if the old man didn’t have room.
His hand paused at pushing the door open, briefly wondering if one of the lads had paid for the big room already and was chatting Mina up or not. Colt shook it off, putting his weight behind the hand leaning on the wood to stride on through, eyes searching for his second while covertly he checked on Mina. The scene met, had his gait on hold, stopping him completely in his path. His usual warm smile went cold at seeing the elf nigh on surrounded on all sides, toyed with as if she were some doll to be passed around and broken. The look on her face was enough for him, brow furrowed to the point Colt was sure she was grinding her teeth and biting to stick one of them with something sharp and very pointy.
The door was only a step or two behind him and so far the huddle of bodies hadn’t noticed him to start with. It took him a mere second to turn and slam it shut, the force rattling the hinges on the bounce before it settled. Colt shut it properly, hand curling into a fist to rest against it when he spoke. [color=#c10300]“I see you’re all enjoying yourselves, yeah?”[/color] It took him a mere moment to join the group, those around busied themselves with what they had been doing before, voices hurried and hushed as their boss stepped in. [color=#c10300]“Frank. I said this to you before. You goons don’t crowd the lady.”[/color]
[color=#44b8ff]“What lad-”[/color]
A fist found the idiot's face before he finished, the thief’s quick reflexes making sweet contact with Frank’s nose, smirking at the tell-tale crack of cartilage. Eyes glanced around briefly as he straightened back up to fit his full 6'4'' height, gaze dark and fully ready to plant a bitch.
[color=#c10300]“Go fix that, yeah. That, and what you were about to say, permanently. Use her fucking name, yeah?... Anyone else?” [/color]
Colt wouldn’t begrudge the elf for enjoying himself, but something about the way he and Mina capered put his back up. More than once Ruth would catch his eye, grin filthy with rubbing it in Colt’s face just how easily he had the lass giggling or causing her to gasp as his hands wandered. Heaven help him if they were at the same table with Nairn attempting to keep the peace. As much as Ruth tried to rile his temper, Colt’s only option was to retreat, leave the table for a quiet walk, or a smoke, unwilling to encroach on Mina’s fun.
It was a habit he had been trying to quit, replacing tobacco and papers for a toothpick rolling between his lips. He walked up to the main door of the Back Water, the crowd inside already audible from the laughter and bouts of revelry. They’d just settled a big job out in the sticks and were heading homeward, but stopped by to enjoy a few drinks and a bite for their efforts. Colt was tired, his new responsibilities as patch boss had him checking and double checking their shit was secure and ready for when they had to leave again. They’d crash at the tavern, some sleeping in the stables while others took the floor or benches inside if the old man didn’t have room.
His hand paused at pushing the door open, briefly wondering if one of the lads had paid for the big room already and was chatting Mina up or not. Colt shook it off, putting his weight behind the hand leaning on the wood to stride on through, eyes searching for his second while covertly he checked on Mina. The scene met, had his gait on hold, stopping him completely in his path. His usual warm smile went cold at seeing the elf nigh on surrounded on all sides, toyed with as if she were some doll to be passed around and broken. The look on her face was enough for him, brow furrowed to the point Colt was sure she was grinding her teeth and biting to stick one of them with something sharp and very pointy.
The door was only a step or two behind him and so far the huddle of bodies hadn’t noticed him to start with. It took him a mere second to turn and slam it shut, the force rattling the hinges on the bounce before it settled. Colt shut it properly, hand curling into a fist to rest against it when he spoke. [color=#c10300]“I see you’re all enjoying yourselves, yeah?”[/color] It took him a mere moment to join the group, those around busied themselves with what they had been doing before, voices hurried and hushed as their boss stepped in. [color=#c10300]“Frank. I said this to you before. You goons don’t crowd the lady.”[/color]
[color=#44b8ff]“What lad-”[/color]
A fist found the idiot's face before he finished, the thief’s quick reflexes making sweet contact with Frank’s nose, smirking at the tell-tale crack of cartilage. Eyes glanced around briefly as he straightened back up to fit his full 6'4'' height, gaze dark and fully ready to plant a bitch.
[color=#c10300]“Go fix that, yeah. That, and what you were about to say, permanently. Use her fucking name, yeah?... Anyone else?” [/color]
01-29-2024, 01:00 PM
