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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 19, 2021 22:33:29 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2021 22:33:29 GMT -7
December 31, 2025 @cashel
The time passed rather comfortably. Just some idle, senseless talk between the two drinkers as they nurses strong drinks. Neither were particularly merry tonight, but at least they could wallow in their pity together. The conversation had grown less serious, and rather superficial. Nothing deep or meaningful. Just idle chatter to pass the time. In a way, Renfri appreciated it. Because it was what she needed tonight. Just something to distract herself. The bar tender kept their drinks full, and finally the alcohol seemed to start to get to them. HE wasn't a bad guy, she came to realize. A bit moody, but considering the few things he'd shared she didn't blame him. But moody wasn't bad. Renfri herself wasn't exactly known as the "happy" sort. No, she was known for being sassy, spunky, and very bossy. So, his solemn didn't bother her. Especially when she herself was feeling similarly. Misery really did love company.
Renfri was taking a sip from a fresh drink when he spoke, muttering something about another year, and another reminder. There were plenty of things he could be referring to, but clearly it was a "bad" reminder. She took a longer sip, before setting the drink down and leaning back in her seat. She looked at the clock. Just a few minutes now, and the new year was upon them. The Bar tender had set up a radio at one end of the bar, for the count down. The commentators talking about excitement for the new year as it ticked closer and closer. "So, any new year resolutions?" She asked her drinking buddy for the night. Seemed like an appropriate question so close to Midnight.
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 11:00:49 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 11:00:49 GMT -7
Light and casual talk seemed to be the key to passing time until midnight. Ri felt a connection with the woman, and it wasn't just their choice of strong alcoholic beverages. Both quite somber, but in that since, it felt less lonely to be miserable with someone else. Even if the other didn't know the reason for their mood. Though he would never admit it, Ri appreciated the company. The alcohol helped loosen his tongue a bit, which helped with their idle chat. Dutiful to their job, the bartender continued to serve them drinks. Perhaps it was his imagination, but it also seemed as though the drinks were taking longer and longer to get to them. As they talked, Ri felt more of a connection, something that he was sorely lacking in his life.
He longed for the night to be over, at the same time, wished for everything to simply stop. Looking at the clock, watching while second by second, midnight drew closer. He payed little attention to the radio now playing, preparing for the final countdown to 2026. He pulled himself, once again from his solemn contemplation to look at the woman. Resolutions. He knew about the tradition, and had even participated in it in years past. "Hadn't given it much thought as of late." He sipped at his drink "How about you?" Anything to distract him.
@renfri
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 15:22:37 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 15:22:37 GMT -7
December 31, 2025 @cashel
Somehow during all their talk Renfri had moved to the barstool next to him. Just so they weren't having to talk over it, of course. There'd been nothing serious discussed. Just good, old fashion small talk. By the point her question about resolutions came, she was also starting to feel very drunk. To no surprise. Depending on her company, Renfri could be a very different type of drunk. With close friends, like Rhys, Jasper, and Ilija, she was loud, flamboyant. Tonight she was more chill, the alcohol slowing her down and relax. It also helped that she didn't really know this stranger and he wasn't coming across as overconfident and talkative.
She ran a hand through her hair, brushing the strands off her shoulders as he answered. When she was younger, she'd always made new year resolutions, or set goals she wanted to accomplish as a curse breaker that year. This year... well, she wasn't really sure what to aspire for. Her world had been turned upside down last spring and she was still trying to figure out how to put the pieces back together. Finally though, she shrugged her right shoulder. "Eat, drink, and be merry." she answered, a hint of teasing in her voice but also a level of seriousness. Honestly, she just wanted a better year. She didn't care how. As if to solidify the point she picked up her glass and downed the rest. Though she'd already proven to have quite the alcohol tolerance tonight, chugging the rest of her drink like that would make the weak hearted drinker baulk. She set the glass down and leaned back, her head tilted to the ceiling and eyes closed as she listened to the radio. The countdown had started. 30 seconds to midnight. She opened her eyes and glanced at her drinking companion. Perhaps it was all the alcohol talking, but she suddenly felt very reckless. Why not start the new year doing something stupid?
15 seconds. She sat up. If he was here alone, he probably didn't have anyone to do this stupid new years tradition with either. "Want to be my first kiss of the new year?" Renfri aked seriously. He didn't have much time to respond, as the other patrons loudly started the final countdown. Renfri leaned in right as they reached zero, and yells of "Happy New Year!" filled the pub. Her lips met his, kissing this virtual stranger.
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 16:04:12 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 16:04:12 GMT -7
The light conversation was nice, and it also proved useful, since they had started talking, and Renfri had moved over, no one had gone up to ask him to join their celebration. Ri hadn't noticed this until much later, but this proved that there was benefit in being with someone. Due to the amount of strong alcohol he had been drinking, Ri was quite drunk, though it was hard to tell. He was emotionally distant at all times, though the drink had made him a bit more talkative.
She asked about any resolutions, and he couldn't think of any, even if he had tried. Not wanting to take any more time pretending ot think of one, he turned the question on her. "Eat, drink, and be merry." was her answer. He could do the first two. Traveling had a unique opportunity to try new foods, and obviously he loved to drink. But "be merry" seemed difficult for him. Luckily this resolution was the woman's, and not his. He nodded "That's a good one" he gave a small smile. He didn't know if it was the alcohol content in him, or the woman. She chucked her drink, and he looked at his, half full "To drinking" He raised his glass, slightly in her direction, and downed the rest of his as well. Both had proven to be able to hold their alcohol.
He heard the pub goers starting to get ready, twenty seconds, he met the woman's eyes. He knew there were certain traditions. Though he had no intention on acting on any of them, no matter how drunk he was. The man glanced at the bartender, wondering if they would take another order, but they seemed to have strategically moved to the end of the bar where the radio was, being careful to avoid eye contact with him. Stunned at her question, he looked at her, not entirely sure what to say. Part of him wanted to say yes, longing for a passionate, or not so passionate touch. But the other part of him wasn't one to display affection publicly. Ten seconds, The pub started to chant, he wondered if he had imagined her words. Was he feeling so deprived of connection that his drunk mind would imagine that?
"Happy New Year!" Music blared, people cheered, and Ri's lips met that of the woman's, Now he didn't have to think. He just did. And Ri did what felt right. Maybe it was the alcohol, but he leaned into the kiss, moving one hand to the side of her face.
@renfri
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 16:35:41 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 16:35:41 GMT -7
December 31, 2025 @cashel
Renfri wasn't a "overly flirtatious" person. She always came across as to forward, blunt, and snarky. There were a few times she'd been flirty though. That summer with Casimir, a few other instances. But overall, she wasn't the flirt of her friends group (that was Rhys). So while for some of her friends, kissing a stranger would be totally normal. For Renfri? Not really. It was definitely the alcohol that had emboldened her, and the current mood. Wanting to just get the year over with, and put the past behind her. To have a better year.
It had been meant to be just a small kiss. A short, drunken kiss to welcome the new year. But that wasn't what it ended up being. Because he kissed back. She could taste the alcohol on his lips, the breath he'd exhaled before the kiss warm and lingering a moment. It wasn't an intense kiss but it was... nice. Those darker thoughts seemed to float away (though that was also the alcohols doing), his hand on her cheek as she leaned a little closer. Finally though, she broke the kiss. She didn't pull away though, instead her light brown gaze fixing on his own, fair green. She hadn't been close enough before to really notice, but he had nice eyes. They were a good contrast to his dark hair. "Happy New Year," she finally breathed.
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 17:01:35 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 17:01:35 GMT -7
When you grow up with the entire island telling you that you are destined to be with your astrological twin, you don't learn to flirt. Ri had always been friends with Fae, and their friendship had developed into courtship. Impart, it could have been because of feelings growing inside of them. But he was sure that most of it was pressure from literally everyone on the island. Once they did get together, everyone seemed so happy. But because of that, Ri didn't understand the concept of flirting. He honestly didn't think he could do it, even if he tried.
Surprised to feel her lips on his, he kissed back. It was the alcohol, but he still enjoyed it. A simple peck turned into more. Inhibition's left as the kiss intensified. For that moment, everything seemed to stand still. Maybe that was the alcohol. But to Ri, as they kissed, sounds muted, and nothing else seemed to matter. The kiss was broken, and Ri opened his eyes, seeing that the woman was still close to him. He looked deep into her eyes, as if he could read her soul, and it seemed as though she was doing the same. he cracked a smile and breathed back "Happy New year." Letting his hand slide away.
@renfri
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 17:12:56 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 17:12:56 GMT -7
December 31, 2025 @cashel
The stranger, Ri, wasn't pulling away after they'd broken the kiss. Instead, he stayed just as close, breathing the holiday phrase back. Renfri's eyes peered into his own. Drunken haze or not, they were very pretty eyes. Intense eyes that had a certain cold darkness to them. Some might hesitate at the look in those eyes. But not Renfri. Because she understood that look. She didn't know everything he'd been though, obviously, but she recognized the emotions. Her own trauma had made her feel alone, unwanted. Anger and hatred.
So, after another moment of just staring into those lost eyes, reading what she could, she kissed him again. Their pain was different. So, very different. But they both knew pain. And there was something quite intoxicating about that right now. With her inhibitions already low, she didn't seemed to care that he was a stranger. She just wanted to kiss him again, maybe more. Because when they had kissed? The pain seemed to have finally gone away. For a blessed moment. She needed the pain to go away again. This second kiss was a little more forceful, though still reserved in case he pulled away.
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 17:22:02 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 17:22:02 GMT -7
The smell of alcohol was the only thing between the two. They were so close, it seemed as though there was no one else in the room. They were virtual strangers. True, they had both shared cryptically, but most of their conversation had been polite and little.
Gazing into Renfri's eyes, he saw a kinship that told his drunk mind that she understood. She had no idea, but it seemed as though she somehow understood. After a moment, their lips met once again. He recognized pain and loss in her eyes. It wasn't the same as his, but she understood. That was something that he hadn't felt in a long time. As they kissed, the pain and anguish of his past seemed to melt away. Alcohol helped with that, but this was different. He could feel more force on her end, and more than matched it. He pulled closer to her, and at the same time, hoped that she would do the same.
"Ah, get a room" he heard the grumpy bartender say. The festivities seemed to be wrapping up here.
@renfri
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 17:45:23 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 17:45:23 GMT -7
December 31, 2025 @cashel
Ri didn't push away, which was a good sign. In fact, he pushed back into the kiss and she immediately responded in kind. Since the incident so many months ago Renfri hadn't... well, hadn't done anything like this. Not that she'd done it before really, but romance hadn't really been on the list of priorities too her when she'd been in recovery and then teaching. The kiss was longer this time, deeper.
The words of the bartender were what finally seemed to bring Renfri back to reality. She wanted to roll her eyes and scoff, telling the old man to bugger off. But in her drunken haze she'd seemed to consider the grumpy words as a wonderful suggestion. She pulled away just a little, a little out of breath from the drinking and the long kiss. "I've a room just down the road, if you're interested." Having known she'd get very drunk tonight she'd already planned ahead, and rented out a room in a small hotel. Didn't want to try apparating drunk, after all. She didn't say what she was suggesting because the offer was suggestion enough.
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 18:01:12 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 18:01:12 GMT -7
Passionately kissing a complete stranger in a bar, really wasn't something that Ri did often. He had enjoyed physical intimacies, but it was with no emotional attachment. This felt different. Though he feared to accept that. He hadn't been emotionally open or intimate with anyone since before his banishment. As they kissed, nothing else seemed to matter.
The bartenders near plea seemed to get to them. The deep, long kiss ended as she pulled away. Normally he would have glared at the bartender, implying something worse, but she spoke first. He took a moment to think about her offer, when he finally nodded. "Yea, I am." He said, moving forward to kiss her once again. Keeping it small, he pulled away, pulling out the money he owed for the drinks and putting them on the bar near the empty glasses.
@renfri
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 18:18:01 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 18:18:01 GMT -7
December 31, 2025 @cashel
Bringing a guy back to her hotel room had not been in the plans tonight. Hadn't even crossed her mind for a fraction of a moment. And yet, suddenly she had offered to bring this guy back with her and he was accepting, giving her one last kiss before reaching into his pockets to settle his tab. There was a sudden burning in her chest. Definitely a factor of the alcohol, but also from the excitement of... well not spending the night alone. It had been a while. A long while. She followed suit, reaching into her pocket to fumble out the galleons for her drinks. The movement was clumsy and awkward. She wasn't right handed naturally, so using her right hand was awkward on the best of days, but doubly so when drunk. Finally though she managed to get the coins on the counter and stashed her change. Then, she reached out to take Ri's hand and lead him from the pub. Partially because he wouldn't know the way, partially because she was very drunk and wanted the physical contact... but also because both of them had a bit of a stumble to their steps.
The night was cold, the frigid temperatures like icicles in her lungs as they stepped out the door. But it didn't deter them. The walk to the hotel was pretty short and then they were finally in the room. Renfri shut the door behind them, locking and latching it, before turning back to her drinking companion who had suddenly become her companion for the night.
Immediately she grabbed the leather jacket he was wearing to pull him to her and down into another kiss. Now that they were no longer at the bar though, she wasn't holding back. She hadn't invited him back to her room for small talk.
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 18:30:34 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 18:30:34 GMT -7
Settling his tab, Ri took the woman's hand and stumbled out of the pub. He was good at looking not drunk, but it was impossible not to stumble when you had that many drinks in you. It had been years since he had held a hand like this. The contact was nice. As much as he would never admit it, he hated being alone, though he had consigned to it long ago. The contact helped the two drunks steady themselves, or catch the other as they stumbled.
It was a short cold walk, Ri blew hot vaper from his lungs into the air as they moved. Not long after they had left, the couple had reached the room in which she had mentioned. He had noticed the hotel sign. That was a good idea that he definitely should try to remember for next time. Entering the room gave a different feeling from past passionate interactions. This seemed romantic, sensual, secret. The new year had started, and he was doing something that he rarely did. He was in a room with a stranger, one that he had passionately kissed one fridge walk before. The door locked and once they were secure, she pulled him in, in turn, he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer to him. In his drunken haze he did feel like her pull was different, but he failed to realize why. For in that moment, he was engulfed with drunken passion, and a longing for more.
@renfri
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 18:56:05 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 18:56:05 GMT -7
January 1, 2026 @cashel
Renfri had realized quickly that Ri wasn't an overly talkative person. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe he was always on the quiet side. It didn't bother her though. It was a nice change for her, as most of her friends were more on the extrovert side, or at least not as introverted as this man. But that hadn't stopped their connection tonight. That could be the alcohol, convincing them that there was a connection, or maybe there was something really there. Either way, Renfri didn't care. Now that she knew what she wanted, and that he wanted it too? Well she wasn't going to hesitate. She threw herself into that kiss, pushing hard against his lips and pulling herself close to him as his arms moved around her.
The kiss was long, hungry, and fueled by their drunken haze. When they didn't pull apart it was to start shedding clothing. Though Renfri hesitated at removing the sling and letting him see the burn scars, he didn't seem to care or notice. So, they sunk deeper in their drunken passion, making their way to the bed...
-and we all know what they did - The night before had been... nice. The drinking doing exactly what she'd needed. Though the most pleasant surprise of last night was not coming back to her hotel alone. That intoxicating physical connection they'd felt at the pub hadn't been just a figment of their imagination. Exploring each others' bodies, hearing the sounds they made. It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that they finally fell asleep.
It was around dawn that Renfri woke, the morning sun shining in through the window. Ugh, she'd gotten a room that faced the sunrise. The light made her groan, her head pounding from the horrible hangover. She rolled over onto her stomach, forcing her eyes shut and let out a breath. Thankfully she'd considered the hangover and brought a few hangover potions in her bag but she couldn't under the energy to get up to find it yet. Instead, she found as she rolled over the warmth of another body.
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 19:11:53 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 19:11:53 GMT -7
What was intended to be a miserable ritual had turned into a passionate, lustful night. He had simply planned to get drunk, and crash somewhere, then make his way back to the ship. But instead he had spent a good part of the new year engulfed in passion with a woman that, just hours previous, had been a complete stranger. Finally falling asleep, laying close to another human.
Given his up bringing, and present living situation, Ri wasn't one to be bothered by the sun. Half asleep, he felt movement, and the warm touch of another person. In his sleepy stupper, the corner of his lips moved up. He could stay like this for the rest of the day. He would love to. Though he felt the eminent thread of his head preparing for his awakening. Shortly after that moment, the pounding came. It took some time for him to realize that it was an owl rapping at the window. With a groan he finally squinted one eye open, gaging his surroundings, again. Spotting the window, he saw an owl. He knew that owl. It was one that frequented the Jolly Rodger. Not wanting to disrupt the woman next to him, he grabbed a decorative pillow in reach and through it at the window. With a soft thud, he hoped that the bird would get the hint. Unfortunately he knew it wouldn't leave until it had delivered his captains summons.
@renfri
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last online May 9, 2024 5:44:42 GMT -7
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Feb 20, 2021 19:29:21 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 19:29:21 GMT -7
January 1, 2026 @cashel
Renfri would have been content to stay like this all day. In bed, with this intoxicating stranger. It had helped that, during the night before, he hadn't pulled away when he saw the scars. Though she hadn't explained what they were from, their passionate night would have shown in that the arm was completely unresponsive, but that hadn't stopped them. Maybe if he asked, she'd tell him the story, but he hadn't asked. Instead, they just let themselves get swept away in the passion and forgot everything else.
Renfri's breathing slowly again now that she was against him, using his bare shoulders to hide her eyes from the light creeping through the window. She could have fallen asleep. Was on her way to fall asleep again, when there was that horrific pounding. It was Ri's turn to groan, and she shifted just a little to squint at the source of the sound. It was an owl.. The hell? Ri responded faster, throwing one of the decorative pillows they'd discarded from the bed the night before at the window, as if to scare it off. It didn't work. Renfri closed her eyes, and grumbled. It's beak tapped on the window again, and the sound was even more aggravating then before.
With a grunt, Renfri rolled over, sat up, and crossed to the window to open it. She wasn't shy, not bothering to cover her naked body or put her burnt arm in a sling. The owl held out the letter in it's beak. She took it, and the bird fluttered off. Turning it over, she realized it was addressed to him. So, head pounding, she crossed back to the bed, flopped back down on it, and held the letter out to him. "For you." She closed her eyes. Owls, while clever creatures, were a pain. Yes, it was nice knowing any letters you sent would get to the person, but they could really be a killjoy.
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