Keep Your Hands to Yourself

[Ronan "Kitten" Lynch]

It was getting late and Ronan was ready to turn in for the day. Mostly because it seemed that more soldiers were starting to come it. Not that he had anything against working for soldiers but the boy was already sore and they weren't usually known to be gentle. There was one particular soldier though that seemed to be insistent on getting him to his room.

The man smelled like a brewery and was far too close to Ronan for his comfort. Of course he should have called for one of the other girls for help or one of the bouncers. He simply didn't want to be a bother. He wanted to prove that he could handle clients on his own.

Ronan managed to get the man outside but he still tried to grab and pull the smaller boys clothes. "Please, sir. You - ah...you really need to leave." As much as he tried to sound demanding and strong his voice still trembled. Though it didn't seem to matter either way as his words just went in one ear and out the other. As much as he pushed against the soldiers chest and tried to get him away the man didn't budge much.

Sebastian Arcturis

[Sebastian Arcturis]

The captain of the royal guard was more than aware of the Candlelights. He had never been to this particular establishment, but he had been to one in Ethion. This place...it was a lot more upscale than anywhere he had been. Not that Sebastian was interested in branching out. He was hear because he'd heard a lot of the men talking about it and while that didn't bother him (soldiers and sex wasn't anything new) what did bother him was some of the stories he heard and how...blatant they were.

Personal opinions aside, he was expected to keep a firm hand and maintain an image for the guard. People talking too much destroyed that image.

There wasn't a specific individual he was here to talk to. Just to make a casual patrol and to see what he dredged up. Not surprisingly, he found one of them out front. Jaxon O'Toole. Sebastian couldn't see exactly who the man was attempting to cop a feel from and from but they didn't sound interested. The captain hadn't even dismounted his horse yet to be paying that much attention. Damn it.

He slid of his horse and approached the pair, grabbing the reeking soldier by the collar and dragging him backward before shoving him just to put him off balance. He was entirely too drunk. In the front of the brothel? Really? "O'Toole, you piece of shit," he got the man's glassy eyed attention as he did his best to keep his footing. Sebastian glanced at the object of the man's unwanted affection and then had to do a double take.

Sebastian immediately processed and then ignored the fact that it was a young man. A very slender, soft, feminine one. Whatever his thoughts, it was better to not cross the bridge. To barely recognize it. "The man said leave," he said, folding his arms. "And I suggest you keep your gallivanting to yourself in the future if you want to continue to work."

The other guard considered his captain for a moment, likely processing his words sluggishly and deciding if his job was worth his pants feeling too tight.

[Ronan "Kitten" Lynch]

Ronan had hoped getting him outside would have knocked some sort of sense into the man. Normally the men that came to see him didn't want to be caught dead interacting with him. He'd always assumed that was some strange part of his 'charm'. At least that's what he thought to make himself feel better. Though he did suppose alcohol probably had to do with being unphased. That is until the mans captain came along. Or at least who he assumed was the mans captain.

The man being suddenly dragged backwards caused Ronan to lose a bit of his own balance as he the soldier tried to loosely grip onto his shirt. As soon as he was pulled away he readjusted his clothes quickly. In some attempt to cover himself. O'Toole looked between his captain and the other slowly for a moment. Sluggishly weighing his options for a moment before letting out a defeated sigh. "M'sorry cap'n, she's jus' real pretty." The soldier slurred out before taking another stumbling step back.

Still he didn't seem to want to leave right away. Ronan placed himself slightly more behind the captain until the soldier finally left. He breathed a sigh of relief as his fingers toyed with the small heart charm that hung from the choker around his neck. "I uh...thank you for that." He fidgeted a bit uncomfortably. Still ashamed he'd needed help getting the soldier to leave.

"If-If you want a drink or something from the bar inside you can tell the bartender it's on me." He looked up at the man with a sweet smile as he did his best to calm down.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

"She is," he repeated in dead pan, as if solidifying the observation. He wasn't here to bust O'Toole on his preferences or his dirty fantasies. He could. He probably should. But at least not this time. His words were an acknowledgement of that. This time, and just this time, his decision to conduction himself properly earned him Sebastian overlooking everything else about the situation.

The captain stood there making uncomfortable but impassive eye contact with the guard until he finally moved away. Sebastian was conscious of the smaller man using him as a shield but said nothing of it. In fact, he probably wouldn't have spoken to the stranger if he hadn't addressed him directly with his gratitude. Not because Sebastian didn't care that he was okay or anything like that, but because...well, they were standing in front of a known bordello and the guy was pretty enough to be merchandise and while Bastian was in fact interested in men, he wasn't interested here. Or in this one. Or in even allowing himself to acknowledge that interest.

Still, he wasn't so rude as to entirely ignore someone. Not usually. "Your welcome," he grunted, almost begrudgingly. He turned back to the man and realized exactly how close they were.

If Sebastian had a type, Ronan wasn't it. Physical aspects aside (he did prefer the more martial type, but that wasn't as important as what followed), he preferred confidence. It didn't need to be loud or flashy but people who knew what they were and what they wanted and how to get it, one way or another. Quiet and shy were very different things to the guard.

A drink? The captain glanced over at the door they were standing near. He supposed there being a bar made sense. Drinks helped people relax, helped some get in the mood, helped others be looser with their wallets and their inhibitions. Glancing back at the man, the smile was lost on him. Instead, he noted the nervous tick of toying with the necklace and the shifting. He was clearly still distressed and a drink might do him good.

Sebastian sighed. "Only if get one with me." He had come here to just...have his presence felt. That he knew what his men were up to. Would there be rumors about him being here? Probably not. O'Toole might be an ass, but even he knew their captain wasn't...well...didn't enjoy himself hardly ever. If he was here, it was for work as the fun police. The rumors would be more skewed in that direction than anything.

[Ronan "Kitten" Lynch]

The suggestion to get a drink with the man caught Ronan a bit off guard. While there was a part of him that just wanted to retire to his room for the night alone he couldn't exactly refuse him. That'd be rude, especially after he just helped him. "Alright, though I'm a light weight." The boy rarely drank because it never took him long to get drunk. Maybe it was because of his size. Maybe because he just didn't eat much. It didn't really matter either way.

"Ah, you'll have to leave your coat and any weapons at the door." It was just procedure even if the man didn't intend on being a client. Once past the podium and into the main room Ronan led him to the bar. Given the time there weren't as many people inside as things were settling down but it seemed a few of the girls were still entertaining some guests.

When the bartender spotted Ronan he smiled. "Kitten! I thought you'd retired for the night." When his eyes landed on the man next to him he raised a brow curiously. "No, I just owe this gentleman a drink for helping me out." Being inside, around people he knew and trusted, made him a lot more calm and a lot more confident.

The bartender nodded in acknowledgement before turning his attention back to the man. "What can I get you sir?" Ronan took a seat with a sigh and rubbed his sore shoulders. Once the order was taken he turned his attention back to the captain. "I never got your name."

[Sebastian Arcturis]

He wasn't surprised to hear the man was a lightweight. He looked tiny. Sebastian, on the other hand, could drink quite a bit. He paused at the door and the ask to remove his weapons. Like most people, he was attached to his personal protection. But he could handle himself without it, so he didn't say anything and removed his cloak and the sword and knife at his belt before following the man further in.

It was quite a nice place. Clearly they made money and took care of their clients and employees. The lighting was both comfortable and suggestive. Darker warm colors tended to help with that. There were a few people in the tavern area, those just interested in chatting or maybe playing out some 'romantic' fantasy with some of the girls. And they were all girls. Maybe he had pegged the man wrong.

The bartender called him 'Kitten' and that solidified any doubt Sebastian had had that the man wasn't a whore. So he had been right. He eyed Kitten up and down with this new confirmed insight and the name. He supposed he looked like a kitten. Cute, small, wants to be seen as more intimidating than he really is.

Sebastian hardly glanced at the bartender or the look the man gave the two of them. "Whiskey," he said. Maybe he was a little boring, but he liked a good whiskey and this place seemed upscale enough to have a decent one. Also, Sebastian couldn't really afford good whiskey but he wasn't buying. so now was the time to try.

Sebastian sat across from Kitten and surveyed the layout of the room and what was behind him before settling into the chair properly. "Sebastian. Yours?" Kitten was clearly his...well...not his real name. And to call him that out loud would confuse this casual interaction with something it wasn't.

[Ronan "Kitten" Lynch]

"Whisky? A man after my own heart." There was a small twinge of fear after the sentence left his lips. There were certainly plenty of men who had harassed Ronan about working at the brothel. They didn't appreciate another man even possibly flirting with them when they came inside. There might be rumors spread if someone got the wrong idea.

When asked his name his first reaction was to answer with his nickname. It was the name he'd been going by in the house since the girls gave it to him. He'd also never given his real name to a client before, they were supposed to use their nicknames. Still, this man wasn't a client. He was just someone who helped him out. He supposed it was only right that he could give him his actual name. "Ronan, though only my family calls me that anymore." He stated with a soft laugh. Two glasses of whisky were set down in front of them before the bartender turned to take care of another guest.

"You don't seem the type to come to a brothel." Warming up to someone was easier when he was inside. Also easier with liquor. As he took a sip the familiar warm feeling poured down his throat and spread through his chest. That was one way to warm up. "Though I think your men have made themselves at home though." Some of them a little too at home.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. 'After his own heart?' Was he flirting with him? If they weren't in a brothel, the guard likely would not have noticed. He decided to ignore it, for both their sakes.

Sebastian wasn't surprised with Kitten's hesitation at offering his name. Rules and regulations and they weren't really friends. He grunted. Ronan. He scanned the man again. "I take it back. Kitten fits better." He did appreciate knowing though.

He took a pull of his whiskey. It was nice, and he enjoyed the warm bite for a moment, closing his eyes. Kitten's observation drew his dark eyes up to him. Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "And who is the type to visit a brothel?" Was he that obvious?

"That is why I am here." Too much at home indeed. Bloody O'Toole in front of the building... Tje captain wasn't about to storm the building and check rooms, but he would be rather pleased with himself if the first thing they saw when they came downstairs was their boss.

[Ronan "Kitten" Lynch]

Hearing that his nickname fit him better made Ronan giggle. "That's what everyone says." He stated before taking another sip. Small, sweet, soft, cuddly, and just a little bit feisty sometimes. That's the entire reason he was given the nickname. There was also an 'innocence' play to it that a lot of his clients seemed to enjoy but that was neither here nor there.

When asked what the type was to normally come to the brothel was Ronan bit the tip of his thumb for a moment in thought. "Well, you seem like a generally put together man. More confident but not arrogant." He eyed the man for a moment as he took another smaller sip.

"You don't seem like you would have problems getting a woman if you wanted one." It seemed a safer bet to assume the man was straight than anything else. Though he doubted even if he was incorrect that he would find that out any time soon. "Instead of letting your soldier harass me you threw him off and didn't punch me." His eyes wandered over to a man that was currently coming down the stairs. When his eyes landed on Sebastian he froze like a startled deer. They bounced between Ronan and Bastian for a moment before he seemed to collect himself enough to quickly make his way to the podium.

Ronan couldn't help but laugh for a moment before turning his attention back to the captain. "You've certainly keep your men on their toes."

[Sebastian Arcturis]

While Ronan thought about analyzing people and clients, Sebastian worked through his drink. He was always interested in the concept of reading people. He was getting better at it in some categories but his every day humanizing skills were a little...rough.

Generally put together. Confident. Not arrogant. No problems getting a woman. His observations were good at least. The man grunted noncommittally. Did he want to get a woman? Sebastian wasn't really sure. Certainly he had urges just like anyone else. But he didn't really think about it like people. He still wasn't sure he wanted a woman. Did he want anyone? Or, perhaps it was better to say, did he want 'someone?' Sebastian still wasn't sure. He still thought about a certain someone every now and then, but often it was simply to enjoy a fond memory.

What confused him was the notion of punching Ronan. "Why would I punch you?" A brief pause. "I could, if you prefer," he suggested simply.

Sebastian followed Ronan's gaze and recognized another of his men. He returned the slightly wide confused eyes with his typical impassive stare. That was actually a lot more pleasing than he thought it would be. He didn't hail the man or get up or anything, just...continued to enjoy his drink, a reminder that he was paying attention and people needed to get their shit together before he decided to get it together for them. He flicked his gaze to Ronan and shrugged. "Better than having them on their ass."

[Ronan "Kitten" Lynch]

The question of why the man might punch Ronan threw him off. Was that really something that needed to be asked? There was a part of him that wanted to be sure Sebastian realized he was in fact talking to a man. A man that worked in a brothel and served other men. While none of the girls who worked with him seemed to care there had been more than enough times he was harassed while working and someone needed to be put out. "No one else seems to question why they should hit me." He wasn't about to wonder why the soldier wasn't as opposed to him as most.

The suggestion that he could hit him nearly made Ronan spit out his drink. He quickly swallowed it down and shook his head. "No thank you. Not unless you plan on paying me." Even then he wasn't exactly happy with the idea of being punched.

The ideas that it was better for his men to be on their toes than on their asses made him giggle. "So you're the fun police I've heard about." He teased before taking another drink.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Ronan didn't explain. Or maybe he did and Bastian simply didn't understand. Generally, the soldier only hit people if he had a reason. Ronan hadn't given him a reason. The man had also been the one in need of help, not the offender. He was still very much thinking Ronan had meant Sebastian might hit him for that moment at the front of the building and not just in general. Why indeed. "I will not."

The captain narrowed his eyes in thoughtful confusion for a moment before he understood. They were in a brothel, after all. While Bastian had never done anything that crazy as far as he understood it, he did understand that there were all sorts of people and all sorts of cravings out there. Causing pain was another form of interaction and control and intimacy. He did not, however, play not punching Ronan or on paying him.

He wasn't surprised that earned a giggle. He'd sort of been betting on it. While he didn't show it outwardly, he was happy his word play had hit off. Sure it was a little simple, but he'd liked it.

"The what police?" He didn't understand. Oh, objectively and unknowingly, he definitely was. But Sebastian didn't think of himself like that.

[Ronan "Kitten" Lynch]

To hear that Sebastian did not in fact plan on hitting him was a bit more of a relief than it should have been. Coin or not being punched hurt and he was already sore enough as it was.

"The fun police." He reitterated. Though he was fairly certain he didn't need to. "Some of your men," most of them, "seem to think you don't have any fun. You're a stick in the mud." There was also a comment one of them had made about there being a stick up his ass but Ronan wasn't trying to get the other soldiers in any sort of real trouble.

"Two of them had talked about wanting to bring you here to get laid but I think you scare them too much for them to try." He idly circled the tip of his finger around the rim of his glass for a brief moment before looking up at Sebastian with a grin.

"Though I'm not sure what they're talking about. You seem plenty fun to me." Dry? Sure. Intimidating? Most definitely. But Ronan was sure the man had plenty of fun on his own. Just because it might not have been with things other people understood didn't mean they were any less fun.

[Sebastian Arcturis]

Sebastian didn't have the same understanding of what 'fun' was. He hadn't had a particularly enjoyable childhood (or a childhood at all, if he compared it to other people) and had learned to take simple enjoyment in his work. Self expression and free time and friends were not things he had been raised with. It was easier to stick to what he knew and that was training and his job. That was fun.

From the sound of it, Ronan knew a lot of his men. He imagined most of that was in passing, however. The tavern space seemed like the natural starting point to meet with staff before heading anywhere else. The captain didn't assume he knew which of his men might be interested in Ronan or not, but such things were still rare.

He raised an eyebrow at the idea of being brought here by to other men for sex. They must have either thought he desperately needed it (because taking a stranger that was your boss to a brothel was awkward) or were interested in him themselves and it was a solid excuse. He wasn't sure who might have suggested as much but he didn't want to know. "I do not need to get laid." Of all the things to be said over drinks to a prostitute in the middle of a brothel.

Honestly...he didn't really know how to have fun. He needed more hobbies. Sword skills and drawing weren't 'fun' social activities. He considered the man across from him. Plenty fun, huh? Sebastian was skeptical to say the least. But he wouldn't pretend to decide what Ronan considered fun. After thinking about it a moment, he wasn't certain if Ronan meant something else so he decided to be clear. "I am not interested." In him or in anyone else here.

The captain leaned back in his chair and finished off his drink, studying the interior and the few girls that were still around. Considering it was day time now, things were less busy. He imagined if he stayed long enough he would have others enticing him to join them upstairs. He wondered if they worked on commission. Probably. The more clients they brought it, the more valuable they were.

[Ronan "Kitten" Lynch]

"I'm sure you don't need to." He stated with a chuckle. "And if you did I'm sure you wouldn't need to spend money for it." The man was very good looking, even Ronan could admit that much. However, when he stated that he wasn't interested he paused for a moment confused. Then giggled and shook his head before taking another drink. "Good, cause neither am I." Of course he knew how it often seemed. It was hard for him to have a conversation with most anyone once they found out his profession.

"You're handsome but I doubt you're interested in men. And even if you were I'm sore enough as it is." It was as if Ronan couldn't just be friendly with men anymore. Attractive or not. It honestly made him a little sad at times.

"Even if I were trying to solicit you I wouldn't be the one buying the drinks." He and the girls usually waited for clients to come to them. Of course if there was one who looked too shy or nervous they might approach them just to make them more comfortable. "You also don't seem like my usual clients."