Swordplayed

It was then that she realized she had settled back into her comfort zone once more.  Retreating into her mind and thinking about magic, her lips threatening to spew all sorts of random magical information in a cascade of words that put most people to sleep.

"Enough experience for ya?"

"If what they say is true…practice makes perfect, then I guess so."

⽔ - Her rather nervous expression was still somewhat dazed by his kiss. Her lips still tingled a bit where he had caught them in his own and she idly would bring her finger tips to them in thought before rising from the floor.

Turning her head over her shoulder she would stare at Sharrkan, a half smile on her lips. Usual sharp words subdued for a bit as she acted a bit more kindly towards him. - ⽔

"You should probably get up from there…"

Getting up from off the ground with her, he would continue to eye the bright red showing through her cheeks. It really was too hard to look away. The swordsman would tower above her shoulders and gain a slight blush of his own as she smiled at him. It had been too long since she made such a kind face toward him. They were usually pulling at each other's cheeks anyway.

"You're pretty good for what you know. And of course, practice makes perfect."

He understood exactly why his friend...girlfriend? Love interest? In any case! Sharrkan knew why she was so embarrassed. To be quite honest, he felt exactly the same. There was this odd feeling of not knowing what to do next. Would things change? Did he have to change? He should change, it would probably piss her off if he went out drinking around other women.

Plenty of thoughts ran through his head as he moved around Yamuraiha to sit down on her bed. It was hard not to feel anything but happy right now. And sure, there would come a time where maybe the other generals would find out, Sinbad too. But that could wait.

There was part of her, however, that worried that he might return to his former ways when and if, they returned to Sindria. That all of this development between them would be cast to the wayside, in favor of Sharrkan pursuing bed mates under the guidance of Sinbad and Yamuraiha becoming bitter about the situation.

She knew he was nervous, which surprised her with all the experience he surely had acquired.  Yamuraiha on the other hand, was foreign to this sort of thing…her string of 20 rejections left her with no experience in the romance department.  Though if he continued to look at her like that, she might just start reciting excerpts from one of her magical text books.  A nervous tic.

Shifting uncomfortably against him she would move her hands to touch the front of his attire, her fingers lacing with the cloth near his chest as she stared downwards, slightly nervous.  It wasnt until he would move quickly and catch her lips in his own briefly, that she would realize, completely, his feelings.

Though the kiss was brief and innocent, it told her what he had been saying all along, in one action. A faint blush adorned her cheeks, yet she still managed to keep her sharp tongue intact.

"Ah…sorry I got a bit excited. Mind if I…try again?"

"Try again? I thought someone of your...grand estimation would put their many experiences to use.”

Was this something he was supposed to tell the other generals? Their king? A relationship between two generals wasn't that big of a deal was it? Or was it unprofessional. Perhaps things would change when they got back. All of this would be forgotten, but that's not what he wanted. In fact, if it was possible, he would rather they just stay in this place. Yamuraiha could live a full life without having to leave him.

"Try again? I thought someone of your...grand estimation would put their many experiences to use.”

Whoa. Wow. Was that a challenge? Did she just tease him in such a way? Friends or not, the two could still be considered rivals. Nothing wrong with friendly competition, even if it's with a person you love. She would definitely understand if he was a bit more forward, right? A bit...rougher.

"I'll just give you the best experience of your life to make up for it then."

A second attempt would then take place. But before engaging her lips. His hands would place themselves under her thighs and lift her into the air. Whether she held onto him or not made no difference to him. The lips that were ready to succumb to her nervous tic were already his again. Harder, longer, and with much more interaction between their lips, Sharrkan would show his closest companion that he was no longer a boy. Yamuraiha would learn first hand how much he had grown.

Seconds ticked by as he invaded her mouth. Swordplay wasn't exactly the only thing he was good at. Pleasing a partner came with time and experience. Fortunately or unfortunately, he had plenty to spare with the woman in his arms. She may have been older than him, but he obviously knew much more than she did. After releasing her lips, Sharrkan would give a triumphant smile as if he had claimed the treasure of a dungeon all on his own.

Their closeness had ended, a bit abruptly, the first time Sharrkan had brought a woman into his quarters. King Sinbad had encouraged him to “become a man”, likely pressured the rather impressionable idiot into laying with some girl he barely knew. He had seen Sinbad do it, night after night…that he eventually fell into the same pattern…and their relationship became strained.

Her memories of him, turned from happy to bitter. The betrayal she felt from her friend who had told her he would marry her as a child, even if it was likely a joke, festered deep in her heart…driving the magician to resent his attitude and swordsmanship. After all, only arrogant, underdeveloped buffoons played with pointy sticks.

Her arms wrapped around him as she hugged him tightly.  She had never been happy with the outcome of their friendship. It turned into rivalry and misunderstanding.

"Yamura—hm….Yam. I’m probably not fit for you. I don’t like magic, I don’t have a beard, and that probably won’t change any time soon. But I have always loved you. Before Sindria and even now."

A soft chuckle would escape her lips at his comment, more specifically about the beards. Looking up at him she would release her stronghold somewhat. - ⽔

Without realizing, one aspiration had ruined his relationship with her. Becoming just like Sinbad was what led him to deviate from his homeland. Most wanted to follow or listen to him, empower the leader they chose to make his dream a reality. And Sharrkan was no different, but he also wanted to be him. At first, it was difficult getting away from his royal background. Finding himself with women around his arms, some he barely even knew lying in his bed, was a brand new experience to him. However, Yamuraiha would grow distant from him, though he never connected the dots with that situation.

Everything would go sour from that point on. They wouldn't spend time together. Fights would become more frequent. The final straw was insulting each other's field of interest. Nights of having her doze off next to him as she tried to get him to understand magic were gone. Their relationship was one of the few things that truly belonged to him outside of what he was entitled to as royalty. But that was long gone. While she had grown to dislike him, his feelings would soon follow in suit.

Sinbad was a great man, a great leader, something about him made his existence stand tall above all others. There was one thing Sharrkan could not forgive however. The barrier that stood around Sindria at all times was slowly killing the person he cared about most. Everyone knew that, she had told how magic and the consumption of magoi worked too many times for him not to know. Months, years, it didn't matter at all. One day, before he could grow old wither away, she would go before him. Her hypocritical statement of not dying with his sword in hand would fall on deaf ears. How could she leave him first and expect him to be okay with that?

A small laugh and the words to follow would break the negative string of thoughts floating through his head.

"You idiot, someone can choose to love something outside of their preferences."

The words would strike a chord in his heart. Was that a yes? An acceptance of his feelings? That wasn't a no right? Of course not. No no. It couldn't be. There should have been a law forbidding people from being so elated by such simple words. But to Sharrkan, hearing that from her meant everything. Kissing someone who loved you was okay right? Did he have to ask? Maybe...possibly...but Sharrkan was a doing type of person, not an asking. It was quick and quite lacking in the finesse he had when wielding his sword. But his nerves would eat away at him as he pressed his lips against hers, if only for a brief moment. A chaste kiss at best shared between children. Yamuraiha was within his grasp and this was all he could muster. Being two years apart, he felt she probably had much more experience than she let on. Lips that only spoke of magic were soft against his. A sensation that could not be described would come over him. And he wanted to do it again, perhaps with a little less innocence.

He had been genuine, it was something lost to them over the years, his honest feelings.  She had almost forgotten that he was his own person before he started imitating Sinbad. A sigh escaped her lips, and her hand would rest on his shoulder. This was far greater than a child being upset over something they had been refused, his feelings, they seemed to be real.

For the first time in awhile the magicians words would not be a jibe at her fellow general. Instead her voice would call him by the nickname she had used as a child.  Something both of them had likely forgotten a long time ago; just waiting to reemerge during a critical moment. - ⽔

"Shar…Don’t do that, and stand up."

⽔ - Her slender fingers that lingered on his shoulder as she waited for him to stand seemed almost too weak, a side effect of her extensive magoi usage. Pulling her hand away from him she waited for him to regain his composure, ushering him along with a soft. - ⽔

"Don’t you have some sort of swordsmen code to uphold? I doubt it tolerates acting like this. "

⽔ - Words were aimed to light the passion inside him he usually had, not to exactly upset him. Only remind him of how he usually acted. He was arrogant and optimistic, small setbacks would simply roll off his back without worry…

"Shar…Don’t do that, and stand up."

Not happening. Now Shar? There was something he hadn't heard from her in quite a long time. Days spent running around different countries and continents with Sinbad on the seven seas came to mind. Time invested into helping their king, fighting in his name, seeing the world, and a young magician who always seemed to smile in his direction. But even when she asked him to, his legs seemed to be locked in place. Was this really how heartbreak worked?

Feeling her on his shoulder would allow him to raise his head just a little. While he wasn't about to cry, extreme depression really didn't suit the swordsman at all. Looking back at Yamuraiha, he could only let out an elongated sigh full of woe and disappointment. Sure. He would get up eventually. Maybe bury his sadness in a bottle of booze soon after that as well.

"Don’t you have some sort of swordsmen code to uphold? I doubt it tolerates acting like this. "

"No. There's no code. I'm just a pathetic, lowly, insignificant swordsman. You're right. I just need to find someone who enjoys watching me wave around a hunk of metal like a feather duster."

While he was usually more than happy to just let things she said or did not effect him at all, this was much different. Of course he was going to act this way. This was important to him. He cared about her quite a lot. Saying those things directly to her face took a lot more courage than he actually had.

Feeling the sudden sensation of her against his back opened up his mind a little bit. It was almost as if he was the prince that had left his country once again. There was little he had to his name besides the friends he grew to know so well. And the one that meant the world to him suddenly returned. It was now or never. Sink or swim. If he wanted her to be the only girl that meant anything to him, even a friend, he had to be honest right now. Shifting to his knees, he would turn around and catch Yamuraiha in his chest.

"What?! What does any other girl have to do with it? I don’t want a bedroom companion…I want…I want something more than that. And I already know who I want that something with."

"Oh, fantastic, Im sure you will find happiness with someone who will appreciate you waving your sword around like a feather-duster."

⽔ - Why she became so annoyed was a mystery to her. Her sharp words hanging in the air before he continued, and Yamuraiha had already began looking over the titles of the books she had with her, assuming the conversation would end abruptly.

"I LOVE YOU LIKE I LOVE SWORDS."

Hand hovered over the bookshelf as she froze in place. He outright said it, and that wasnt something she could disagree with or ignore. It was meant to get her attention, and make it past her dense thoughts about romance, which it did.

She felt like a fish out of water, as she moved her hand back to her chest, slowly turning around to face him in silence. She had no idea what to say, how to act… to spring this on someone who you have known your entire life…yet who thought the relationship was strained; on someone who was dying after all.  The magician only managed to choke out a slightly questioning…- ⽔

Feather duster?! Back when they were children, they admired each other's skills. There were no ill feelings between the two. Things had changed .Time and circumstances had progressed and their friendship deteriorated. Realizing how bad things had become only made him feel worse.

But hopefully with what he had said, confessing his actual feelings. She would maybe forgive him. Maybe she wouldn't like him how he liked her. But maybe they could at least be friends again. There wasn't anyone in his life that he wanted to be around more than her. But what he heard in response to his own words definitely wasn't what he wanted to hear.

"Is that so?"

As if his world seemed to crumble around him, the grown man crouched down and seemed to...almost...was he crying? No. Not just yet. But he was rather depressed.

"Of course I do. I always have"

There were very few things Sharrkan aspired to do in his lifetime these days. His swordplay was near the peak of perfection. He had become a general in one of the most well known countries in the entire world. There was a man above him who respected him and he respected back. The person that he wished to follow and serve treated him as an equal. But above all that. Above anything else, he wanted to be close to his friend again.

Besides, what proud swordsman would want to be a couple with a whimsical magician?  Sharkkan hated magic, he let it be known that he had a strong dislike for magic, and Yamuraiha held disdain for anyone who disliked magic. Yet, she honestly couldnt hate Sharrkan. She never had and probably never would. He was an idiot, stupid baldy, an overgrown manchild that infuriated her; but she would always take care of him.

She inhaled sharply. When did she become so passive with him? When did her voice start to waiver and her expression become so dumbfounded, this wasnt her and that wasnt him. His stuttering, it only was further proof he was telling the truth, but it was…not suave.

Finding her composure, she would lift a hand to his cheek, the contrast of their skintones, seemingly matching their views of the world. Not only were they different in their views on defense, but on upbringing. Sharrkan wasnt without fine women, no matter where he went either. He tried to imitate Sinbad…but to be honest Yamuraiha missed the more earnest boy from their childhood years.  She was silent about that.- ⽔

"Why would I agree to something like that, when we both know you will grow bored with it, and seek other outlets? After all, you and King Sinbad go through women at an alarming rate. I am one of Sindria’s Eight Generals, and Genius Magician, not someone’s bed companion for a few weeks. "

It was almost hard for him to hear her talk in such a way, especially about him. Yes. He was much more...well mannered...when he was younger. But back then, he had an image to uphold. A prince that was second in line for the throne of his country. But Sinbad showed him a different way of living. A free way of living. And he couldn't but aspire to follow him, be like him. It was odd how he had that effect on people.

Having a different woman every now and then was just...well it just happened. It wasn't as if he truly cared for them in such a way. Even they knew that. But all people had some sort of carnal urge to satisfy. Sinbad was ways and bounds worse than him. One a night? The man could have multiple entities within his chambers and still lead a country the next day.

As for Sharrkan, when they partied or if he went drinking with Alibaba there would always be an occurrence or two. He wasn't going to lie. Yes. Women threw themselves at him. But they weren't Yamuraiha. They weren't his fellow general and childhood friend. No one could compare to her because she was the only Yamuraiha he knew.

"What?! What does any other girl have to do with it? I don't want a bedroom companion...I want...I want something more than that. And I already know who I want that something with."

Of course he was actually referring to a long standing relationship, which he never had. It was just easier to have a quick lay for the night and focus on his duties as a general. But there was one girl he wanted to be with in such a way. Just one. And she thought he didn't mean it. He just had to say it outright. Just say it. One sentence.

"Because I've always, even before we were generals really...really l-l-lo...."

The struggle began.

"I LOVE YOU LIKE I LOVE SWORDS."

"Okay! I get it! Don’t give me that excuse when it was late for you too! I’ve gotten drunk and did stupid things before, hooked up with plenty of girls, and I’ve ESPECIALLY slept in your bed plenty of times! What’s the big deal?!"

"Plenty of girls, huh!? Then why not go find one of them! I was just being nice so that you didnt disgrace our King while we were here!"

⽔ - A lie of course, but she was grasping at straws here. She wouldnt have said anything about Sharrkan’s choice of bed mates if anyone else were around, it would give them the wrong idea that she was jealous..or cared who he slept with. Which she didnt!

"People see us together ALL THE TIME! No one would think otherwise! Hell! I’ll be your boyfriend if you want one so badly!"

While that might have been true, they were seen as nothing more than frienemies…The bond they shared as children had dissolved long ago, leaving them always quarreling over swords and magic. It was different now, and as if to protest she would prepare to butt in, however was silenced by his second clause. Did he just…offer to…

The heat on her cheeks would match the steam she produced, as to gain distance between them. Of course she got angry, because to her, she thought it was just a joke.  He wasnt interested in her…he hated magic for one..and he had plenty of beautiful companions who fawned over his sword handling… - ⽔

"Plenty of girls, huh!? Then why not go find one of them! I was just being nice so that you didnt disgrace our King while we were here!"

"I don't need the attention of other girls! And I wasn't even looking for any! As far as I'm concerned, this isn't Sindria and Sinbad isn't here to tell us what to do, we're on our own!"

Fighting back with her was the only result that could come out of this. Screaming back and forth until one or the other grabbed hold and started pulling at the other's face. They never really fought like real adults. Each having the potential to kill the other, but they would always resort to childish tactics.

Neither could possibly know where this situation was actually heading. But once he saw her face actually change colors from the proclamation he made, he almost felt...happy. Was she going to say yes? It was a possibility right? No no. She wouldn't do that, but it didn't mean that he wanted her to say no.

"Don’t you lie to me! How could you say something like that!?"

"W-what?! If you don't want to just say no!"

Losing control of his speech patterns wasn't really helping his cause. While everyone and their mother already knew, Sharrkan cared quite a lot about Yamuraiha. More than Sinbad, more than any of the generals, more than Sindria, Yamuraiha was someone very special to him. She meant much more to him than she would ever know.

Her once averted gaze would drift back to the swordsman in question as she narrowed her eyes and tried hard to regain some resemblance of her dignity and confidence, if she even had any self confidence in the first place…

"You okay there? Your face is a bit red."

A slight twitch as she balled her fists beside her, finally having the courage to lock eyes with him, standing on her toes she would finally speak normally…sort of. - ⽔

"It’s red because….y-you’re making me angry!"

⽔ - Wrong answer…but she would continue on, pointing an accusatory finger at his chest as her barrage of words would continue in onslaught. - ⽔

"You’re standing too close, baldy and I had to give up important magical research to make sure you weren’t going to be imprisoned for gallivanting around with some random women or being drunk and disorderly. On top of that, y-you invaded my bed and now…"

⽔ - She wouldnt have much else to say, even before she was grasping at straws. She never minded taking care of her friends.  Still her last amendment to her rant might sting more than the magician even realized.  Her perception when it came to romance..was nonexistant anyway. - ⽔

"If people see us together like this, it will ruin my chances of ever finding a boyfriend."

As she claimed to be angry, Sharrkan would only get confused even more. She would have just blown him up with steam if she was actually angry. After knowing her for so long there was little she could do that would ever surprise him. But with that knowledge, he also knew exactly how she reacted to certain things. Continuing to poke him relentlessly, he would just allow it to continue before letting out a sigh.

"Okay! I get it! Don't give me that excuse when it was late for you too! I've gotten drunk and did stupid things before, hooked up with plenty of girls, and I've ESPECIALLY slept in your bed plenty of times! What's the big deal?!"

And it would go back to normal with the two shouting at each other. Some odd form of a grudge match if there was an actual grudge to be had. This was just how the two communicated. Loud and verbose. Poking and stabbing at one another until Sinbad or some other poor unfortunate soul came between them. But that wasn't happening this time. Not in this tiny room.

"If people see us together like this, it will ruin my chances of ever finding a boyfriend."

Of course it would always come back to that. Yamuraiha was always desperate to find a boyfriend. What was she at now? 0/20? Something obscure and obscene like that number would tell most people what she's like. She was never that great when it came to socializing and the like.

Sharrkan made himself the more lively of the two. Being with Sinbad made him want to be that way. Someone that people could look forward to being around. Granted he wasn't exactly as smooth and well versed as Sinbad, he still tried his best. People he didn't really care for would flock to him. Various women would flock to his arms. Usually, he would have something insulting to say right back to Yamuraiha, but since no one was around his words came out a little differently.

"People see us together ALL THE TIME! No one would think otherwise! Hell! I'll be your boyfriend if you want one so badly!"

Her mouth seemed to go dry, and any chance at relaxing she had before had faded into her simply thinking of what to say..what to do…

"At least you won’t die early here…"

Wait, he knew about that? Her eyes glanced over her shoulder, but she couldnt find the words to respond.  Was he that worried? She had much she could say, but she happened to just blurt out the first thing that came to mind, which of course was magic related. Didnt she only do this when she had romantic interest in the person she was with…? - ⽔

"Did you know that  magic is an attempt to understand, experience and influence the world using rituals, symbols, actions, gestures and language, but many magicians generally state magic’s primary purpose to be personal spiritual growth.  Modern magic theories may see it as the result of a universal sympathy where some act can produce a result somewhere else, or as a collaboration with spirits who cause the effect…"

⽔ - It would likely be silent for a bit after that as the magician would struggle out of his grasp and stand, staring at him before her azure gaze would find its way to the side and she would shift uncomfortably. - ⽔

The shift in her head's position to glance over at him would only cause him to stare down at her. Still placing himself above her head, he couldn't really see the look on her face. Perhaps she was generally displeased with him, but she hadn't hit him yet. At least she hadn't set him on fire either. That would have been rather tragic. Continuing to hold her in his arms would only cause a more interesting reaction to occur. There were many times when Yamuraiha went on one of her magic tangents and Sharrkan had heard just about every single one of them.

"Well....not to that depth, but I get the idea of magic. You used to talk about it all the time when we were younger. Can't say I forgot any of it."

Yamuraiha only ranted about magic on two occasions. If she had nothing talk about or if she was nervous around a guy she was with. Most of the time, the first cause was included into the second. Did he possibly embarrass her with sharing the same bed? No. Of course not! They shared beds all the time. It wasn't like this was anything new.

Letting her out of his grasp, she would get up and tell him to leave. That wasn't like her. Not in this tone of voice. If she didn't want him around she would make him leave. Getting up from the bed himself, he let out a yawn and peered around her shoulder. She looked...embarrassed? What for? It's not like he saw anything.

"You okay there? Your face is a bit red."

Her confidence would always become shattered, broken when such murmurs reached her ears, she wished she could invent the seashell headband that could block sound…however it wouldnt save her from the pity glares.

Subconsciously she would hug herself tighter, bringing her robe around her shoulders more as she quietly shifted her position. She kept herself closed off, isolated…soon the only thing she ever had, magic, would rob her of her life…ironic it seemed, but it was probably a good way to die.

Squeezing her eyes tighter, her consciousness was starting to awake, but her body was tired…she didnt want to move, she didnt want to open her eyes….

"Hey. Yamuraiha."

What was he still doing here? Snapping her eyes open she would weakly lift her head, it was too early to so this…she would lay back down, turning away from him. - ⽔

Sharrkan wasn't exactly adverse to napping most of the day away. Sindria wasn't here to be defended and he didn't have any duties to attend to. In his mind, the only things here that mattered to him were his sword and Yamuraiha. Not in that order of course. She would definitely come before any of his worldly possessions. Why wouldn't she?

Even though she would turn away from him, he would continue to hold her close. The brief moment their eyes met, he knew she wasn't going to get up without a fight. And he wasn't about to fight her when it came to her sleeping habits. Was it alright for him to enforce her habits? Maybe not. Resting his head atop of hers was different to how they used to sleep.

Back at a time where they were both children and none was taller than the other. A time where he didn't have to worry about her frail form. The magic she showed him as a child was amazing and inspiring. But every time she went out into battle he could only keep an eye as she continued to deplete her energy. Sinbad should have cared even more than him. The more she exerted herself, the quicker she would perish.

All these thoughts only made him hold her closer. Pressing his lips onto the top of her head was just another sign of his...affection. Was he ever going to say he cared? Probably not. It was hard enough for him to approach Yamuraiha these days without getting into an argument about swords and magic.

"At least you won't die early here..."

"Ehh—huh?!"

⽔ - Arms wrapped around her core and she would turn her head to look at him, the book she had in her hands would fall to the ground, which usually would have annoyed her but she was much too distracted to say anything about it.  Being dragged to her bed, she would fall prey to his size as he snuggled close to her earning a slightly panicked reaction from the magi.

She took plenty care of herself, maybe aside from the fact she was using her very life force to sustain a barrier around the country of Sindria…but she was uncertain to what degree the other generals knew about that.  Either way, it wasnt as if they could do much about it…Sinbad was their king afterall and his will would be done by them, whatever his wish. Yamuraiha had been prepared to give her life, certainly if it meant saving the lives of others. - ⽔

"Idiot swordsman…"

⽔ - She would mutter, her back to him as she stared at the window on her side of the bed.  Silence ticked by before she would breathe a relieved sigh and utter his name without insult. - ⽔

Whatever she may have said to him would be ignored as he had already fallen asleep. But that didn't mean his assault would end. His arm was heavy and wouldn't move. There by his side would the magician stay. On the bright side, he was on his side! If he threw up, he wouldn't choke to death on it...or maybe Yamuraiha wouldn't mind that kind of ending at this point. In any case, his body would stay by hers throughout the night.

"Holy shit...never doing that again..."

Sharrkan talked to himself as his eyes slowly opened. What little light came in through the windows was thankfully directed at his back. And the only thing in front of him was the very familiar shade of blue he knew so well. No. Nonononononono. He didn't do that did he? With her? She wouldn't allow it. Or maybe she did? What was more important? That Yamuraiha was here or that he may have violated her body?

Waking her up wasn't the easiest route to go. For all that she did, Yamuraiha was very adamant on her sleeping schedule. And that schedule was she woke up when she had to or when she wanted to. Her body was under so much strain from maintaining Sindria's barrier. It was no wonder that she slept a lot.

"Hey. Yamuraiha."

Morgiana had stated that the blue magician had smelled like magic medicines that Yamuraiha often used in her research, it was hard to imagine Sharrkan liking that smell.  Even so, a slight blush crept to her cheeks, dying them a faint pink as he spoke, muffled, with his head on her shoulders. It wasnt like they didnt physically interact usually…this just seemed different

Deflecting, she would keep her eyes ahead… - ⽔

“That’s surprising.”

⽔ - She would haughtily respond.  Her curt tone likely being lost on the drunk swordsman. Continuing on, she figured he wouldnt be able to remember or tell her where he was staying, so she would be forced to take him to her room.  That was fine, as she could simply dump him on the floor and and then sleep herself.  Tempting as it may be, she brushed the sharp thought from her mind…they had shared as bed, among other things, as adolescents, they could share one now…or she could sleep in the chair for a night.  It was likely he would wake before her anyway, she was painfully horrendous about waking up in the mornings.

Arriving at what seemed to be her place of residence, she would attempt to abandon him. Shoving him even in the slightest would bring him to whatever location she chose for him. Collapsing onto her bed without moving a single inch further, it would seem he fell asleep. But the drunk swordsman couldn't be satisfied with how this went. Of course he could take care of himself, but he still wanted company.

Watching her through his hazy vision, he smiled and unleashed another surprise attack on her. This time, he definitely wouldn't take her clam covers. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Sharrkan would drag Yamuraiha onto the bed with him. There was no question that his body would always have the advantage in a physical struggle.

"If I'm sleeping, you should sleep too. We haven't slept like this in a long time anyway..."

It wasnt a surprise that he caught up to her, due to the fact that her fitness level might have been lacking…severely where his wasnt.  Even intoxicated he could catch up to her, and she expected that would happen. The icy glare she shot him might have held enough malice to petrify any man, however he probably didnt realize it due to his drunken stupor.

"Come on. I was just playing around, I’m sorry."

Teeth gritted, as he moved her arms to replace what was once removed, of course that was what she wanted, but it fixed nothing. -⽔

"Exposing someone indecently is not playing around you unthinking, infelicitous, dolt! You’re lucky it wasnt some stranger, they would have you imprisoned for sexual harassment!"

⽔ - As if to illustrate her point, that wand would find itself smacking Sharrkan’s face with every verbal jibe thrown his way. Womanizing, acting selfishly, it was almost as if he learned from their King Sinbad himself! The difference was that Yamuraiha could actually berate and squabble with Sharrkan about his questionable deeds…

With a soft “humph” she would fold her arms across her chest and upturn her nose away from him, turning her back on him, she would pause before taking a few steps and then casting one look behind her at him standing there…drunk.

The moment she would try to smack him across the face would only lead to him leaning back ever so slightly to dodge it. Was it more insulting to be harassed by a drunkard or your attack to be dodged by one? Perhaps it was sheer luck, but he wasn't about to retaliate against her attempts to hurt him.

While his attitude was rather questionable, the alcohol had hit Sharrkan harder than one of Masrur's kicks. Sure. He wasn't about to collapse, but he wasn't making his way home on his own either. That being said, where was his new home? A place one had never visited could never be found. But as she grabbed onto the chain around his neck, he would follow her without any resistance.

"Hey! Where are we going?"

Asking her as he stumbled behind her would only add to her annoyance. Sharrkan knew Yamuraiha was a good person. And she knew the exact same of him. Sure. In a way, their relationship was by no means professional. But all of the other generals would only laugh as they watched the two. It was just how things were. Married couple? Not officially, but the two sure acted like it.

His stumbling only led to him bumping into Yamuraiha's back. Leaning on her ever so slightly, he would make walking rather difficult. But she was warm and smelled....comforting. Many nights were spent in the same bed without a care. Leaning into her back and resting his head on her shoulders would be quite the inconvenience nonetheless.

"You smell nice...."

"No wonder you have no magic proficiency,  can’t tell fire from water. Guess swordplay is more your intelligence level. “

⽔ - By this time she had moved to keep her wand pressed to the side of his cheek, hoping he would maintain some distance from her person as she took another drink from her cup.  Upon placing it back on the bar she was alarmed to find his hands wandering again, but too stunned to act immediately.  Before she knew it, he had removed the shells from her person, exposing her chest to…well at the moment, empty bar.

Face turned to a flush of red as she would start to become increasingly more panicked. Hugging her hands to her chest to cover her exposed breasts, she would let out a cry of sheer embarrassment as she shook her head, her wand crashing to the ground between them.

She wasnt, sad, but tears had welled in her eyes…the magician had plenty of self confidence problems, she believed not in herself, only in her magic ability - that tended to happen after being rejected a total of 20 times! Who knew if Sharrkan knew that at all, but she never expected him to be that indecent!

Embarrassment, anger, sadness, and a host of other emotions could be seen plastered onto his comrade's face. The comrade who would then flee the bar with her chest bare. A sigh escaped from his lips as the drunkard left some money on the counter. He couldn't let it end like this. She was sad and he cared...a lot. Chasing after her was rather easy considering he was just physically more fit than she was.

What made that task even more difficult was the fact he was drunk. The world around him moved ever so slightly as he clutched onto the pink shells in his hands. All that was really on his mind was finding his friend and returning her clam covers to her. Apologizing was also floating around somewhere, but it would be a rather poor one considering his mental state.

"Hey! Wait up!"

Sharrkan finally caught up to his magical friend and turned her around. Of course she would be covering herself, but he wouldn't be thinking too much about HOW he returned the shells. It was more important to him that they were back in their rightful spot. Moving her arms aside, he would plant the shells directly onto her chest. His being reeked of booze. Even he could smell the scent emerging from his gullet.

"Come on. I was just playing around, I'm sorry."

"At least then there would be something on your head!"

⽔ - Her voice had been raised, and of course it was making a scene. The two of them at odds always warranted a rather comical display for the spectators, Sinbad and Pisti particularly found it amusing; however they were absent, leaving the two of them to quarrel endlessly or sort their differences.

A drink was placed before her and she couldnt say she was thrilled about it, but didnt want to deny the gesture either…not because it was from him, but because she was really fond of alcohol and it would be a shame if it went to waste. Picking up the cup she would bring it to her lips taking a sip as she glared from over the rim at Sharrkan.

His hand would touch her head and it would cause her to flinch a bit, glowering up at him from under her hat she would bring the wand she had poised against her shoulder to knock him in the head, her other hand taking another drink as the act occurred. One of her azure eyes would drift to look at the male, this being her first drink, she was still completely sober…while he on the otherhand, seemed as if he needed to be cut off.

Lowering her glass she would peer at him closely before sighing and crossing her arms over her chest. She was worried…much more than the magician let on… - ⽔

His smile could only get wider when she took hold of the drink in front of her. Before long she would join him too. And that's probably when his marry making would end. The two were rather abusive when they weren't drunk. Under the influence of alcohol, just about anything goes between them. Sharrkan was way too gone to just be called drunk. But even so, he seemed to have enough motorskills to use his sword.

"Just how many drinks have you had? Maybe they should take that sword away from you, an idiot shouldnt run with pointy objects, let alone drunk. You dont have that problem with magic, another reason it is far superior.”

"Well! I don't count. I just enjoy. And no one touches my sword! Stuck up buzz killers should just drink more. I'm sure you just blow stuff up when you're too drunk!"

Once again, Sharrkan would drink the entire contents of the cup in his hand. Now was the time to counter against the magician. Her guard was down because of his state of mind. He knew he could take advantage of it. Sheathing his sword would only lead to both of his hands being free to do as they pleased. And it just so happened he decided to take her "clam covers".

"Look at me! I'm a magician!"

”!!! W-what are you doing!?”

⽔ - The first words out of her mouth as she turned her head to gaze at the man who was holding cup in hand and acting disorderly. Teeth grit together as she furrowed her brow, the rage boiling in her which manifested as bringing the liquid content of his cup to a boil as well. Steam was wafting off the top, sizzling and popping inside;  Either he would be unable to hold it in his hands due to heat or he would be in for a rude awakening when he brought the drink to his lips. Maybe it would be hot enough to meld his mouth together and he would be unable to speak!

Writhing herself from his grip, she would at first hug herself across her bust, before she would glare up at baldy here, who even his dimwittedness could have realized he was being burned by now. - ⽔

"A-ah! Hot!! HOT!!!"

The drink would be released from his hand, but land perfectly on the blade of his sword. In one swift motion, he let go of the cup and drew his blade. While this wasn't the pinnacle of his swordplay, it was a simple show that proved he was completely drunk. Not yet anyway. Pulling away from him and defending herself was always her course of action. When they were younger, she had no trouble bathing with him. Perhaps it was different now that she had become more...developed.

"I'm not bald and maybe it has gone to my head!"

Sharrkan shouted back and tipped his sword to receive the now warm alcohol. A drink was a drink. And the swordsman would enjoy it to the fullest. Yamuraiha was quite the drinker herself. So it would have been rude not to offer her a drink right? With a wave of his hand, the bartender acknowledged Sharrkan's idea and placed drinks in front of each individual.

"So how'd you find yourself here? Actually. Forget that. Let's just drink. No use in worrying about it right? At least we're alive!"

Priorities obviously didn't exist for him as he consumed his drink. And even through her insults and abuse, it wouldn't stop him from getting close to her to pat her head through her hat.