Labyrinth [FOP]

He might've been hungover, still drunk on the vague memories of last night, but even then he wasn't foolish enough to fall right into whatever trap was being set up for him. Throughout his lifetime in Al-Qahil he'd found himself within more than enough shady situations and coming across those of ill nature. Once the back alleys of the capital became your hideout it would take a damned professional to fool him. And whatever this figure was planning, they might have to reconsider their skill in stealth and wariness before ever trying to sneak up on him again.

By the gods, he simply craved a breath of fresh air to ease his pounding headache, not to fall victim to a strange figure's failed pursuit. So, instead of making a scene and facing the mysterious figure head on, he decided to take the scenic route home, leading the two of them into an abandoned alley, away from the few people walking these streets on the city's day of resting.

As expected, the sorcerer was met with a dead end, forcing him to finally turn around and meet the gaze of this mysterious figure which, to his surprise, turned out to be a frail and fragile looking woman dressed in robes of plain colored fabric. He couldn't refrain an eyebrow from raising as he looked at her. Truly, this woman would be the person determined to overpower him and rat him out to the royals? He almost scoffed at the thought. "Did nobody ever teach you not to follow strange men into dark and deslolate alleys, dear?" Even his delicate sorcerer friend would've stood better chance against him than this.. woman.  

Why hadn't he simply spent the day in between his sheets like the majority of the city today. Taunted by vague memories of the night before as the scent of the silver haired sorcerer lingered in between his sheets. The headache would've faded eventually, but now another headache presented itself in the shape of a woman foolish enough to think she'd even stand a chance facing him. Quite ironic, how desperate commoners were, putting their own life on the line when promised some coin in return. Well, sadly for her, she would be leaving this alley empty handed.

The sorcerer tilted his head to the side as she spoke, the look in his eyes as unimpressed as ever. Just as he assumed, she was there for him. Of course she was, he could imagine the Daetrys family being petty enough to promise plenty of coin as long as they'd be able to see him pay the price for disrespecting their daughter, whatever price they had in mind. Knowing them, they would've loved to throw him into the sun ring once more, putting his shame on display for the sake of the people's entertainment by making him duel against some undefeatable opponent or something.   

"That's one way of courting me," he dryly commented, rolling his shoulders back as he prepared himself for whatever move she'd planned. Worst case scenario, there would be a dagger hidden beneath those rags wrapped around her body. Even then the advantage would be his. As long as he would be able to disarm her, she would be in no state to harm him in any way. By the gods, he truly didn't want to have to do this. He could use all the petty words he wanted and dispose of his many lovers with ease, but getting violent towards a woman was a new kind of dishonor, one even he wasn't quite comfortable with.

The man sighed, bracing himself for her possible attempt at attacking as he decided to give her one shot at accepting his mercy. "Pick your battles wisely, dear," he spoke, looking her up and down once more. With those rags wrapped around her, she almost looked like a beggar of some sort. No wonder she so desperately needed the coin. "Turn around and go celebrate this day with your family. Xeion wouldn't spare me if I were to bring harm upon a woman under his gaze."

No matter the occasion, trouble always seemed to find him, even when he wasn't actively looking for it. All he'd wanted to do was to ease his headache with an afternoon stroll, hoping to figure out the strange and unfamiliar feelings his friend left him with while quietly reminiscing about the events of last night. Instead, however, he found himself within a murky alley, stuck with a beggar desperate to sell him out to the royal family. By the gods, he should've just stayed inside his room today.

The necromancer raised his eyebrow as she spoke, clearly unimpressed by both her dainty appearance and the so called threat she seemingly imagined herself to be. "You'd be the first," he responded, an unapologetic smirk smeared across his face. Perhaps his careless and cocky attitude managed to hide the fact that he was pretty bummed out by the whole encounter. Not because she succeeded in intimidating him. "Are you trying to put words in my mouth, darling?" the man continued, looking her up and down once more in hopes of getting a better view of what she could possibly be hiding under those rags. "Man or woman, you either fail to impress me or you don't." There were quite some women he'd estimate to make a fair opponent against him. Some of the Sun Sisters were a breathing example of that. The dark haired sorcerer took a step forward, but didn't close the distance between them quite yet. "You wouldn't believe me if I'd tell you I'm no stranger to the power Xailan women hold," he continued, a faint scoff following his words. "Which is why, with all due respect, I am giving you a final warning."

Alas, no matter how he'd sugarcoat his words or defend himself against her accusations of misogyny, this young lady didn't plan on backing down from whatever stupid mission she'd set her mind to. The royals should've known better than to send this innocent commoner out on their little fetch quest, all so that he could be framed as the bad guy once more weren't she able to succeed. "Oh, you bet I am," he sighed, briefly cracking his neck to relieve himself from its tension. "My apologies, love," he stated moments before swiftly moving forward, bridging the little distance left between them before forcing her against one of the stone walls of the alley, attempting to pin her wrists above her head in hopes of preventing her from pulling out any kind of weapon from beneath the rags. "I wish we could've met under different circumstances."