The Branded Rose

Fresh Ink

(Continued from here)

“It’s exactly what people feel like when dealing with your bullshit.” He quickly chimed in through a smirk, one shoulder lifting in a small shrug.

“I’m sure the rocks will survive just fine on their own, might have to round up the rebellious ones that wander of. They might come trying to trip you again, if you are still going to try blaming those poor rocks for that terribly timed footwork.” His smirk grew into a grin as a chuckle rolled up, unable to help but poke fun at her misfortune.

“You can cook? Teasing again the grin threatened to grow. Glancing towards the road leading to the city and back again he lifted a brow inquisitively. “And I thought you were moving? You know how I feel about the city but…I do make the occasional exception. Or is this just an invite to the new place already?”

[ @katianegreyson ]

She looked towards the sky, shaking her head as he teased her about her clumsy moment months ago. She would never live down that stumble, it seemed. Laughing softly, Kate let the playful comment go unchallenged. The question about her cooking, however, made her quirk a curious brow.

“Mm. Old age robbing you of your memory? Not only have I cooked for you before, I seem to recall that being a topic in our last conversation. It’s okay. Senior moments happen…” She nodded as if she understood, a sympathetic frown forming a pout across her lips. “Poor thing.“

Bringing her hand up, she tried to hide her growing smile. It was a lost effort, the expression dancing in her eyes. “I cook breakfast. And I am moving. I just haven’t moved yet.”

She looked towards the city road before casting a glance over her shoulder to the eastern routes. “The new place isn’t in the city but it would take most of the day to get there after we borrowed a bird.” She turned her attention back to him, her tone lacking the playful tone for once. “It’s not that I’m not up for the trip, I would just hate to drag you out there for nothing. That’s what’s out there now. No home. Just a… pile of ash.” She cleared her throat softly, her smile losing a bit of the light it held.

“I have to set up camp and hire people to clear the site and stuff. It’s a… process. With the warmer months coming up, though, it’s a perfect time to build.“

[@arrows-and-cigars ]

Eyes rolled heavily as she poked at his age, an impatient sigh purposefully forced through the nose as his head shook. She eventually got to the point where she could cook breakfast but not much else, which had been his point. Letting the topic drop off, he knew better than to dignify the age comment with a response.

“Wouldn’t have to borrow a bird if I already own one.” He commented, off-hand, without any explanation.

“So you’re rebuilding a home upon the ashes of another? How symbolic, like a phoenix…or in your case an ouroboros.” A smirk and stifled chuckle as one shoulder rolled in a shallow shrug. “Do these ashes have a meaning, or was it just cheap land for the sake of a destroyed home?”

[ @katianegreyson ]

Her hands shot up to run fingers through her hair, the journey in her crimson tresses ending at the nape of her neck. Lowering her gaze, she shook her head, trying to find the words for an answer. Digits that had loosely interlocked at the base of her skull disengaged when her hands fell back to her sides.

There was no good answer. Not one that wasn’t an outright lie, full of holes, or too… telling, at least. She didn’t want to lie to him, that was certain. Then again, she didn’t know if she was ready to tell him all the dirty details either. Least of all in a crowded town square. Biting her lower lip, she weighed her options and decided on vague but honest.

“You should know I wouldn’t give up my home in the city for a meaningless plot of forest. Nor did I come by it cheaply.” She said in all seriousness. “It isn’t an explanation I feel comfortable discussing in the street. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m comfortable discussing it at all.” She managed a weak smile as her eyes rose up to meet his once more. “It’s far too bleak. What did you say earlier? We poke fun or else things might become serious and meaningful between us? This isn’t something we can poke fun of. Leaves us with those other options. Can’t have that, can we?“

[@arrows-and-cigars ]

“Preaching to the choir.” He gave a subtle nod to the crowd, relating to the notion of keeping certain topics off the streets and to privileged company.

“But I do know, or assumed at least, that you aren’t the type to give up something without a meaning behind it. The ashes thing…I can relate, a little, to that. I won’t pry.” A soft and more genuine smile pulled his lips in return to the weak one she gave.

“Can’t have that, but we might be just a little bit past that.” One hand lifted as fingers pinched the air, fingers barely apart, to exaggerate on his point. “I wouldn’t exactly say our last encounter was just wit and quips. Yeah, fun and all, probably scared off some wilderness in the night, but we certainly talked about some ‘off the street’ topics.”

A soft chuckle accompanied the small shrug, the faint sarcastic tone returning as he continued. “We still managed to walk the fine line. We make the options as we go, don’t we?”

[ @katianegreyson ]

There was a soft hum of amusement, though it was paired with a slight groan. He wasn’t wrong. They were past that. She wasn’t sure if it happened from the moment she had invited him to her apartment all those months ago, or if it was when he invited her to his campsite for dinner and ‘off the streets’ conversation. Denial was a powerful thing to some but Kate rarely gave into it. A realist to her core, she knew they were long past just being sassy quips and sarcastic remarks.

It wasn’t something ridiculous like a whirlwind romance where heart’s fluttered and stupid actions were made or expected. Nothing so complicated or demanding. It was actually pretty simple. For whatever reason, be it gut instinct or something even more inexplicable, she trusted him.

He didn’t have to hear that, though. And he certainly didn’t have to hear he was right. It was the unspoken moments that really resonated anyway. Reaching down to dive a hand into her pocket, she fished out a silver coin. On one side, a lion’s head was stamped into the metal. The other was left bare. Holding it out to him, she nodded. The choices were already out there on the table.

“Pretty sure that fine line will be abused some more regardless of what option is picked. So, either you can choose or let a coin decide for this encounter. The apartment or the pile of ash in the woods. The apartment, by far, is easier. Warmer too. And simple to leave. I have a contact in Three Corners, though, that will have the gear and supplies needed if you or fate decide to take the less easy route. Can’t promise I will be all that forthcoming out there. It’ll paint a picture, I’m sure.“

She shrugged a shoulder, hints of her smirk returning. "Food is happening either way."

[@arrows-and-cigars ]

A brow lifted faintly as his gaze dropped to the offered coin, the echos of a chuckle catching in the throat as she further explained. Slowly his head shook as eyes shifted to meet her gaze again.

“Three Corners, huh? So new place is out in Redridge. Interesting.” The familiar hints of amusement rest in his tone as lips curled in a grin. Two fingers motioned for her to return the coin to the pocket from which it came. “As fun as it may be to trek through the forests, given our track record in them as well, I did just spend the last two weeks out there. Heading to the city to resupply is inevitable, if not today then likely tomorrow.”

Hands moved, burying into the pockets of the jacket as he smirked. “I can wait until it’s not a pile of ash, anyways. Might feel inclined to help put the place together otherwise. Did build my cabin with my own hands, but that might be just a bit too personal. Don’t need you thinking of me every time you look at the walls.” The tease mixed with another soft laugh, easing the flow of conversation again.

[ @katianegreyson ]

Questioning the location made her a little nervous, leaving her wondering for a moment if her bluff had been called. Though she wasn’t against him knowing the location, actually seeing it would likely spur a flood of questions she wasn’t sure she was ready to answer. "It’s not really new and it’s not really Redridge. There abouts, I suppose. Three Corners is just the closest place for supplies.”

When he gestured towards the coin, explaining his choice, she breathed a small sigh of relief. Mention of their forest track record made her smirk, the expression growing into a small grin as he made the comment about walls. Falling back into the habit of her sassy quips easily, she took a step or two backwards, towards the city road.

“Yes, it would be damned inconvenient if walls made me think of you. Almost like… you know, if trees sparked a fond memory. Or cigar smoke. Flannel. A particular shade of green. Unfortunate. Really… unfortunate."

Starting to walk slowly backwards, see half nodded over her shoulder. "C'mon, smart ass. You can resupply and meet me at the apartment, or tend to it after you’ve had your fill of my company and the verbal abuse that likely comes with it."

[@arrows-and-cigars ]

“Was that a confession I heard?” Sarcasm heavy as one hand grabbed his bag, hefting a strap over one shoulder. “That’s quite a list of things that bring me to mind, careful who you tell they might think something is up.”

The common sly grin quickly returning as the rucksack was situated on his back, the bow soon following as it was hung over one shoulder. “Ah yes, I’m the smart ass here.” Heavy boots moved across the ground as he began to follow towards the city road, eyes narrowing in a faint but feigned skepticism.

“Not planning on spending all day indoors, doubt you’d let that happen anyways. I make the supply rounds after, let the crowds thin a bit from the merchants as more find their way to the Faire.”

[ @katianegreyson ]

#rp scenes #Silk & Sandpaper

"Mm. Not a confession." She said with an amused hum, continuing her sedate backwards trek up the road as he shouldered his gear. "Just pointing out the obvious and making a joke out of it, as per our ritual. And as for telling someone, I've only told you. Whether or not you want to think something is up, is up to you. I'm well aware what implications I made."

That smirk of hers returned as she went to turn, righting her walk as she mosied up the road. Sass was in her very body language, from the swish of her hips, to the gentle shake of that flaming red mane of hers. Her tone was simply icing on the cake.

"Granted, you made implications too. Not planning to spend all day indoors. Tsk." She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, mimicking scorn. "Telling me you're going to eat and run. That is the makings of a true scoundrel. Or someone painfully uninterested in my company. How will I ever recover…"

She tried to sound dramatic but her chuckle robbed her of a serious note. It also let him know she wasn't at all serious and merely teasing him about his restocking schedule.

[@arrows-and-cigars ]

#aesthetic #hobbies

Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why? Also, if your character was forced to eat one thing for the rest of their life, what would they choose and why?

"I actually enjoy the quiet, in most situations. There are times where it's tense with waiting, bad news waiting to rear its ugly head. In most situations, though, it's nice to enjoy the serenity solitude has to offer. Gives me time to relax and think."

"As for eating one thing for the rest of my life?"

"Steak. Definitely steak. For obvious reasons. I mean, it's steak. "

[Thank you @manaheart for the ask. For some reason the tag won't link!]

#let the war begin #wears it better #chicks in men's shirt

[Wears it better.] -Kate

How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?

Kate winced. "Ooh, depends on the day, love. For the most part, I'm fairly neutral, I suppose. New boots or a good la-... um, night usually puts me in a more positive and self loving sort of mood. Like anyone, though, I have my negative self loathing moments. Waking up with a hangover, the ten minutes it takes for the coffee to brew in the morning, eating too much…"

"The typical things. Nothing to really throw me into the 'gods, this woman needs to be medicated' category."

[Thanks @kat-hawke for the question.]

Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks? (Just gonna beat the creepy thirsty anons to the punch. 😝)

Kate shrugged at the question, oddly not phased by the brash inquiry. "I'm a notorious pillow hog, even when I have company. Actually, especially when I have company. They need to learn quick that I can be a selfless lover but am ninety-nine percent selfish when it comes to pillows. Blankets I share politely."

Thinking more on her habits, she adds to the list. "I don't mind close quarters and snuggling up to a point. Call me whatever you want, but it's hot and uncomfortable to fall asleep all cute and close. Chances are, we were really close earlier. Space is a glorious thing. Sprawling out is way more comfortable than cuddling."

"I suppose those aren't weird. I mean, I prefer to sleep naked because clothes get all tangled. I don't like feeling like my wardrobe is homicidal. I hate eating in bed. It's not cute and romantic. It's just… messy. Fuck crumbs in the sheets."

She snaps her fingers. "I won't sleep with a person who wears socks to bed. Don't care if it's sexual or platonic. Socks in bed are awful. Socks and sex is a damn dealbreaker."

"As for unusual kinks?" Kate hummed out her laughter. "Honestly, I'm fairly open and very comfortable with the human body and sex and all it entails. A lot of things can be pleasurable in the right company. I'm afraid I don't have anything that stands out as unusual. Unless you count the preference for slow, deep, and deliberate as opposed to how hard can pound this body into the sheets…" She shrugged.

[Thank you @kat-hawke for saving me from the thirsty anons that are bound to show up!]

#q&a #fuck socks

Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?

"Love, I have lived in the city long enough that crowds don't bother me. I've yet to reach a level of fondness, though. All those people pressing in, the chattering uproar…"

Kate wrinkled her nose. "I would rather be on the outskirts than in the thick of it. People watching can be amusing."

Kate is very much an extrovert. Lass has no shame and rarely any filter.

[Thanks @zariasilverleaf for the ask!]

Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?

Kate raised a brow at the question before a note of amusement hums across her lips. That gentle sound turned into a friendly chuckle as she shook her head at the little shadow. "Neither, really. Romance is often just a ruse to get into my pants. I don't mind affection, I suppose… if you've been around to gain a certain level of comfort. Otherwise, affection might get you injured or verbally berated."

"The truth is there is no quick way to my heart. It's not something I give away easily and I sure as shit am smart enough not to pass it out because of some romantic gesture or sign of affection. Interested in it? Takes time and effort. And let's be honest…"

"Most aren't interested in the long game. But that's what it takes."

[Thanks for the question anon.]