With the city coming into view now Aris agreed with Kal that his stomach was now in protest that he had not been giving it the nourishment it deserved. He looked down at the woman whom he had clasped hands with and a small grin came to his face, she wasn't like all the previous women he had spent time with. He wasn't usually this kind to women especially since he knew what most of them wanted as they approached him with their batting eyelashes. He simply told them where to meet him and he handled their business accordingly. A few of them had managed to make it to his bed on more than one occasion but that was beyond rare with him as he spent much of his time travelling city to city with his work as it demanded. Coming into the streets of Aigosthena, the tavern was as he expected immediately to the right as you entered. Leading Kal into the tavern he took her to a table before he walked to the counter to save them a room for the night. After he had made the preparations he made his way back to the blue eyed woman and sat across from her at the table, "I've got us a room for the night and we were lucky since there were only two rooms left." Picking up the menu Aris scanned it thinking about what it was that he wanted to eat.

(We can go ahead and assume they eat everything we do now because I don't even want to bother and look up what they really ate lol that is unless you feel like it... but you don't have to)

{haha sounds peachy to me =]}

Kalika had peeked over and caught the small grin on his face. She followed as he took her to a tavern. This was different from what she usually did on her missions. Then again this wasn't a mission it was her doing what she wanted. Usually she would have met a fellow and shacked up with him for the night. It was only convient to her... though she is a sweet girl, free food, and bed was always a good deal. She watched as he approached the counter then returned saying they got one of the last rooms. Then the idea clicked in her head that he had wanted her in the same room as him. Otherwise he could have booked them both and gotten separate rooms... a light blush colored her cheeks as she thought of being in the same room as Aris. She quickly hid it behind the menu as she began to look as well. Her eyes were drawn to a Cesar salad {haha}, and a crab soup. It sounded delicious and the crab soup seemed as though it would be spicy to her liking. Her blue eyes peered over the menu at him wondering what he was thinking.

Absorbed into the menu as most guys were when their stomachs began to think for them, the young hazel eyed man didn't notice that Kal blushed or had peeked up at him he was too busy studying the food. Finally deciding on some chicken and dumplings he looked up to see a pair of beautiful blue eyes fixed on him, "Uhh... umm... are you... ready to order Kal?" His voice told that he was a little caught off guard and he had a slight tone of blush on his bronze toned face. His honey hazel eyes immediately turned back to his menu after he noticed her stare, it was involuntary and it had actually pissed him off a bit. Why was it that he tended to be a bit shy around this woman, it was all still new to him but he figured it was because there was a genuine bond or connection between them rather than the usual lust that he agreed to. Then it dawned on him he had forgotten to get separate rooms since usually he was going to get involved with the woman he had agreed to meet in the tavern. He wanted to ask if she wanted her own room but he wondered if it was too late...

The blonde was happy he didn't notice her blushing, and was surprised when he looked over at her. Her gaze sank again behind her menu to hide her embarassment as well. "I'm ready when you are," she answered quietly behind the menu. Kalika had indeed decided on the salad and soup. She loved crab meat, and soup sounded pretty good right now. The blue eyed girl couldn't help, but giggle. Butterflies thrashed around violently in her stomach. She was nervous she knew it, but how couldn't she be? Ariston was so attractive, and kind... and there was that connection between them. She knew her nerves would be hard to shake off tonight.

Aris nodded and then waved one of the waitresses over who gave him the same look that he seemed to get from every woman who wanted to sleep with him, the batting eyes. He pretended to completely ignore it as he had Kalika here with him and he had no interest in the woman anyway, she was simply his waitress for the night, then as she made her way over to the table she acted as if she only saw Ariston and asked if he was ready to order. Getting a little annoyed at her rudeness the hazel eyed man tried to show a bit of patience and looked across the table and extended his left hand in the direction of his partner, "If you would be so kind, take her order first madam," he said with his usual deep tone. The woman seemed to be hypnotized by his voice and she said that she would but she kept peeking back at him as she attempted to turn her attention to Kal.

The blonde saw the woman fluttering her eyes at Aris. She nearly gagged when she saw the woman's desperate attempt to get his attention. Kalika felt like she was chopped liver at this point. When the woman looked to her eyes showed her anger. She crossed her arms as the woman went to take her order. "Well, I think I'll have the crab bisque and the casear salad, light on the dressing please miss," she requested softly. Looking around the room she had hardly noticed the men seated at the bar looking at her. She just rolled her eyes and her blue eyes looked to Aris's honey colored ones.

Watching in amusement Ariston watched as Kalika flashed her anger through her eyes it was actually cute and it made him smile softly. Then when the waitress turned back to the hazel eyed warrior he put in his order, "I'll have the chicken and dumplings ma'am thank you," he said in his normal tone of voice. Aris had noticed that there were quite a few men eyeing Kal but he didn't mind, all that it meant was they wanted what he already had and it was fine by him he wouldn't show any animosity on his face at all. As the waitress walked off he looked back at Kalika who had her gorgeous blue eyes set on him and met her gaze with his hazel eyes, "I'm sorry about that, it happens quite often," he explained apologetically. He was truly sorry for it but he did thoroughly enjoy watching Kal get upset, it was interesting to see and honestly most females just got cocky as if they owned him when he discarded them all after that night. It was just the way things were and he was used to it at this point.

Kalika smiled as he requested the chicken and dumplings. She giggled as he apologized and raised a hand to stop him. "I can understand why she would stare," she smiled with a wink, "And I think we're even I have quite the audience as well." The blonde smiled a mischievous smile as she rubbed her foot against his leg. Her hand rested softly on the table as she looked at him. Kalika's blonde eyes wandered over to the men sitting at the bar still staring at her. Then her gaze shifted back to his eyes.

Aris returned the smile at the notion that she too had an audience, and it was true but he paid them no mind. Then as Kal rubbed her foot against his leg it was then that Aris felt a strong urge to be with her in bed tonight but again he fought off the urge and asked, "I never asked if you wanted your own room or not... I'm sure I could get the last room for you if you'd like it to yourself Kal..." His tone suggested that he was unsure since he did want to stay with her for a number of reasons but he hadn't intended on doing more than that. He wondered how she felt but decided it would be inappropriate to ask. Waving over another waitress who was also eager to gain his attention, but he was too busy thinking to even notice, the hazel eyed man asked for a cup of water and that sh get Kalika whatever she wished to drink.

The waitress had caught Kalika's foot rubbing against Aris's leg and shot the blonde a dirty look. She chuckled as the woman responded just how she expected. Kalika was surprised when Ariston asked her if she would like a room to herself. She thought about it, but really she hardly slept in a bed alone... it may sound silly, but she wasn't sure if she could do it. "If you would rather me have a room to myself.... I really don't mind sharing though," she answered quietly. Kalika was unsure if Aris was trying to hint that he wanted the room to himself, so she turned the question back on him. Her gazed turned to the waitress who was now batting her eyelashes at Aris. "Water sounds fine with me as well. Thank you,"she said softly as she shooed the woman away.

Ignoring the interactions between the two women Ariston listened as she said she didn't mind sleeping with him. He wasn't sure if he had insulted her by asking about it now but he tried to stay positive. Then after thinking about it for a moment he finally commented, "You are welcome to stay with me I just wanted to ask what you wanted to do... I didn't want you to feel like you didn't have a choice is all." He seemed a little depressed that she took it that way but he snapped out of it quickly. Not long after he finished talking the waitress returned and gave them their drinks, Aris thanked her with a sad look in his hazel eyes though he had a smile on his face. When she left he placed those same solumn eyes on Kalika and he smiled.

The blonde smiled at Ariston and nodded. "I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable if you didn't want to share. And of course I know I had a choice. If I really wanted my own room I could've gone up after you came back and said there was one left and reserved it myself," she answered kindly. Kalika noticed the depressed look on his face and felt as though her heart would crumble. Reaching her hand out for his her palm facing up she smiled at him. "I thank you for asking my opinion though, Aris. It was very kind of you. But no worries everything is alright," she said quietly to him. The gaze he was looking at her with worried her. She feared that she had seriously upset him when she had not meant to. Lightly she rubbed his leg with her foot. "Cheer up, hun," she cooed softly. Her heart fluttered in panic still worried she had really upset him.

Feeling that there was no need really be gloomy Aris closed his eyes and when he opened them he felt better. Then he took a deep breath to relax and he again smiled but this time it was genuine, "So tell me a bit about your childhood," he requested. He was glad that she cared enough to try and cheer him up so he put in an effort to do so for her. Honestly Ariston wasn't really good at thank yous but he did try to put forth an effort even if it was non-verbally. But thinking about how they had this natural connection the hazel eyed man felt that he was treating her like the rest if he didn't do something different so he wanted to know more about her. She was interesting to him but the best way to find out what made a person who they are is to know their past. As he waited he stared into Kal's beautiful eyes and he gave her a soft grin hoping to ease her worries.

She felt relieved as he opened his eyes and smiled at her. The blonde had been genuinely worried about him, and had thought she messed everything up already. Her heart settled itself down as she sat looking at him across the table. Then she titled her head as she thought about her childhood. "I was raised by my father's mother... At least until I turned fourteen and she died. Then I just decided I would do fine on my own... Uhm... I knew my father a lot when I was younger. He came around quite often except when he was with Persephone... Oh! I should explain that. See my dad was wanted by Persephone and Aphrodite... so they basically share him. Part of the year he's with Persephone, one part with my mother, and then one part with whomever. I'd usually get to see him while he was with my mother or whom ever he wanted to be... I don't think i knew Aphrodite was my mom until I was around seven... but I kinda knew I was different," she explained, "Oh wow, didn't mean to get into detail that much, sorry. How about you?" Kalika blushed realizing she had just rambled so much. Turning her blue yes to the table she played with a few strands of her long blonde hair.

Aris sat there with his hazel eyes fixed on Kalika as she told her story and when she apologized for telling him so much he almost got upset but he held it back. "No, you're fine it is what I asked for after all." Then after thinking about his past a bit he finally began, "I didn't meet my father until yesterday... I was raised by two wealthy landowners in Thebes. I have always been stronger, smarter, and faster than everyone my age and most of those who were older than me. That was what lead me to want to become a mercenary aside from my desire to travel the world. My foster parents told me Ares was my real father when I decided to leave once I turned 15. It made a lot of sense to me so I accepted it but I didn't bother to worry about it at the time. My mother, Eos, has tried to kill me so many times I thought my father was trying to kill me as well so I didn't think that a relationship was possible with him. If people hadn't tried to kill me all of my life I would have but it's not a big deal." Thinking back on all those times Aris had spent a great deal of time being afraid day to day but he never showed that to anyone. He had long ago decided to endure all that was thrown his way to make himself a stronger and better man. He hadn't noticed that his eyes had drifted to the table as he spoke and he raised them when he noticed. Looking into Kal's eyes his told the tale of his life and of the fear that he had to conquer to persevere on a daily basis. His parents did all they could for him but it wasn't much that they could have done.

She raised her eyes almost hiding behind her hair, but realized he wasn't upset. Kalika listened as he explained his story. He was like her... always better than everyone else. She had gotten picked on by older girls when she was younger. They teased her and called her names, her "mother" used to tell her it was because she was so beautiful. It was sad that his mother had tried to kill him so many times. The blonde couldn't understand how someone could want to kill their own child. Persephone had tried to kill her before, but that was different. It was because she adored her father, and she the visible link between Aphrodite and Adonis. Then again Ares didn't like her either since her mother had slept with the hunter. Once Aris finished speaking the flirity waitress brought their food to them. "Thank you miss," she said softly to the waitress. Her gaze turned to Aris and her blue eyes met his honey ones. "It sounds like you've had a hard time... but I must admit it's nice to meet someone like me," she spoke quietly.

His expression changed when he realized that the waitress was bringing them their food. His stomach had been in high protest for a while and it was hard to ignore but he had Kal to thank for his success in doing so. Following the female's lead he too thanked the waitress and turned his attention back to her and met her gaze for a moment, "I agree. And I have had tough times but nothing I would ever complain about or take back so it was all worth it. I'm still here after all so that alone is reason to be grateful and also having met you is one hell of a consolation I must say." Then he bowed his head and praised Athena for the food; though he knew the Goddess hated him he was not above being thankful. Then grabbing his spoon he took a spoonful of the dish and looked up at Kalika with a peaceful grin on his face.

Kalika giggled as he said meeting her was quite a good "consolation." A wide smile formed on her face as she thought of how she would be with out him. It may sound silly to some people, but if she had just caught a glimpse of him she would still feel empty. She prayed as well to Athena then sent a small one to her mother. After lifted her head she took a bite of her salad. The blonde giggled at the peaceful looking grin on his face. "How is your food?" She asked him softly as she took another forkful of salad.

Still smiling he replied, "It's good, how is yours?" Aris had to admit that he was happier now than he had been in a long time possibly even ever. Kalika filled him with so much happiness he didn't really know what he would do without her but he didn't want to think about it. He took another spoonful of the entree with a big smile on his face, it had been some time since he had had a meal that he really craved and it was excellent, he would have to send his compliments to the chef. Putting his spoon into his bowl Ariston reached across the table and used a curled index finger to stroke the side of her face gently, "It's good to see you smile, that's a very attractive look for you," he said in a soft voice though it was still deep and a bit rugged.

Taking a bite of her soup she grinned as the warm liquid made it's way down her throat. It tasted divine. Her salad was simple, but the soup took the cake. "Very good. This soup is delicious." Kalika answered with a bright smile on her face. Her heart fluttered as she felt his warm touch on her cheek, and the rugged sound of his voice sent shivers up her spine. She set her spoon down as she smirked at him. "Well I like to see you smile as well. Much better look than a scowl," she teased him reaching over and taking his other hand in her's. Lacing her fingers with his she squeezed his hand as her ocean blue eyes stared into his.

Feeling almost compelled to fulfill Kalika's request Aris gave her a soft smile that was not normal to him but it fit perfectly for her. As their hands intertwined, the young man had to be sure to not use too much energy out of fear of hurting Kal with his immense strength. He knew she was strong but he was afraid there might be a large strength gap between them that he didn't want to know about. So he simply gave her a light squeeze back as his honey hazel eyes found her blue ones.

As the soft smile formed on Aris's face she couldn't help but smile as well. She giggled as he squeezed back softly. Kalika knew he was just trying not to hurt her, but she found it quite funny of him. For some time she stared into his eyes, getting lost in their hansom quality. It was as though his eyes had hypnotized her. After a period of time she shook her head breaking his spell. She let out a soft laugh then squeezed his hand again. "Well, what should we do now? I am quite full, but I am not sure about you," she giggled as she placed a hand on her stomach. Kalika had eaten all of her soup and most of her salad and felt quite piggish.

The young man had finished his food as well and was full, "Well we can retire for the night if you'd like?" After he asked he began to blush just a bit thinking that maybe he shouldn't have phrased it that way but it was the first thing that shot from his mouth. Aris was somewhat afraid to sleep with Kalika since he wanted to avoid treating her like all the other women he had been with. As he sat there thinking his hazel eyes drifted to the table again and the hand that he had used to caress Kal's face with was now curled up and the thumb and index fingers were being rubbed together in a circular motion. When he realized what he was doing he snapped out of it quickly and looked back at Kalika awaiting her answer.

Kalika blushed as soon as she saw the blush coloring her cheeks. Usually she would go to bed with the men, and sleep with them. She didn't want this to be the same thing Aris. He was different than all the other ones already. Realizing she hadn't responded to his question she nodded. "That sounds fine to me as well," she said softly as she stood from her chair. She kept her hand in his as she stood waiting for him to follow her. Looking over her shoulder she still saw several men at the bar staring at her and waitress leering at her. Kalika smiled at Aris and shrugged.

Aris stood up and smiled as he looked around at the jealousy that was raging in this place, it was quite entertaining. He got up and stood right behind Kalika placing his free hand on her waist just to excite the people around even more. It had been some time since he had wanted to piss a whole group of people off at once but this had to be the best. Everyone in the room seemed to be leering at the young couple and he was just fine with it and was sure Kal was as well. When he got behind her he leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Lead the way my lady," in a voice deeper than usual and with a rougher tone.