Bard Feats
Being a bard came in really handy for Gabrielle when taverns were concerned, especially if she had to tell stories of Xena being heroic and cool and hot. Those were her favorites to tell, for no reason in particular. It also helped that somehow the dynamic duo seemed to find trouble everywhere they went to so Gabrielle never ran out of stories to tell and got more than enough time to practice and get better and better. She enjoyed people asking questions, being awestruck, cheering when a story reached a heroic conclusion and asking for another story right after. Her stories also helped Xena seem a little less intimidating to others.
They didn't know her like Gabrielle did, they didn't know that Xena was a big softie and actually had a pretty gentle side to her. Granted it was very well hidden behind her previous stories of cruelty and the many battles she had won, not to mention the scars that could still be seen on her body, some fairly new, that only added to her rugged, often scary, unapproachable look.
Having finished her latest story Gabrielle finally had a chance to take a break when another bard proclaimed he wanted to tell a tale of his own. Gabrielle was escorted away from the table with cheers, men offering her drinks and dances, pats on the back and coin payed for her skills.
"Someone has become quite popular." Xena gestured with her cup full of sweet alcohol.
"Only because you provide me with lots of good stories." The bard slid in next to her companion and leaned her head against Xena's shoulder. "I'm glad these stories are sticking more than your previous ones. You're getting to be quite popular too. In a good way."
Xena hummed, only half listening to the other bard's story. "There was a time when all I wanted was to avoid more eyes on me. But if it's with you Gabrielle, I don't mind being in the center of attention. Although I'd say it was more you than me this time around." She gently nudged her chin against Gabrielle's head and then looked at the people still paying more attention to the two ladies.
"Nah, I think it's because of you. My stories might help but I know you're quite the heartbreaker." Gabrielle joked back while taking bite of sweet bread. She couldn't even count how many people feel for Xena since she knew her, and even more before she knew her. This included Gabrielle herself.
"I'd never break yours though." Xena flirted but made it sound like a promise as well. She was very well aware of the reputation she had and why. She never wanted to be like her past self, Gabrielle deserved better, the best even and Xena would try her hardest to be that.
"Right. The only thing you try breaking is the bed of whatever inn we happen to be staying in." She turned her head to kiss Xena's neck, making the warrior groan, clearly effected.
"Like you are oh so innocent here. I can't even count how many times you've been the indicator so don't make those seem like my fault."
Gabrielle leaned back and gasped dramatically. "A cute village girl like me being a seductress?"
"I've known my fair share of village seductresses, you get some extra points for being a bard." Leaning in she brushed her lips against Gabrielle's ear. "After all you're so talented with your mouth. Anyone would fall for you Gabrielle. I have several of your ex-boyfriends and more than a few men here as evidence."
At that Gabrielle blushed, eyes darting around the room. "I still think you're hotter." She wanted to flirt back but she knew that it was something that Xena was counting on. "Which says all the more about my skills if you claim I seduce you every night." With the grace of an Amazon Queen she swiped the now empty cup from Xena's hand, "Allow this bard to buy you a new drink?"
"You bards and your flirting." Xena said with a flirty tone.
Gabrielle grinned foolishly and walked over to the barmaid to spend some of the coin she just earned. Since Xena insisted on being seduced then Gabrielle would do just that, she already knew how to play her cards right with her. As she payed and gave the barmaid a generous tip all the wind was taken out of her sails when she saw two other women flanking Xena and flirting with her. Did they not see how affectionate Xena and Gabrielle just were? Or did they think it wasn't serious? Xena looked over to her and shrugged while also not being rude to the women.
The dam broke when one of them put her hand on Xena's bicep and squeezed. Gabrielle cut through the crowd with purpose and slammed the two cups on the table, spilling some of the drink. "Something you need from my lover?" She was usually more subtle, Xena was always the more aggressive one when it came to protectiveness.
One of the women's eyes widened and she backed up a bit but the other one was a bit more stubborn. "Your stories made her sound very interesting, I could resist taking a closer look."
"And now you have." She glared at them, arms folded over her chest. "Drinks are on us, but Xena and I will be taking our leave early."
She took Xena by the wrist and started dragging her away. "Bye ladies, you're lovely but I'm taken!" Xena yelled loud enough for everyone in the tavern to hear. In her own way she wanted to make sure there was no more confusion, not in this town at least as word of what she said would spread quickly. When they arrived into their room for the night Xena tried to joke. "Well, I wasn't actually expecting your stories to make me famous in that certain way."
Gabrielle didn't want to let this go yet. She slammed her palms against the wooden door, pinning Xena in between. The warrior could barely hold back her snicker at the situation. "It's not that funny Xena. They were flirting with you!"
"Yeah and I was gonna say no. You don't see me threatening everyone who flirts with you now do you?" The bard raised her eyebrow skeptically. "Uh... okay, maybe I do sometimes go overboard. I've never seen you get like that before though. What's gotten into you tonight, my pretty bard?"
"What you said before, about knowing a lot of seductresses, I guess I never really felt much like that. Not that I don't think you love me or are attracted to me but there are times when I think you might want to do better than me some day." Gabrielle was quickly pulled into Xena's embrace, effectively breaking her dominate stance. She returned the hug right away.
"Gabrielle if there's anyone here who should try to be worthy that's me. There was a time when I never believed I would be this happy, that I was allowed to be. Then I met you, traveled with you, feel in love with you. It was you that helped me heal. Thanks to you I'm happier than I've ever been and in a relationship with the best person I've ever known. Gods themselves wouldn't be able to seduce me away from you." Xena tilted Gabrielle's lips towards hers, letting her taste the sweet remains of the tavern drink on her lips and tongue.
"Of course you deserve good things. I wouldn't be with you if I didn't see the best in you. I want others to see it too, but I'm not one for sharing." With an easy jump she was in Xena's arms, the warrior's hands under her thighs and their bodies pressed close together. "I have a hard enough time trying to fend off your exes, I'm not adding random tavern people to that list. And don't even try to tell me that you're in the same position, some of your exes are way crazier than mine."
Xena rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright, I'll give you that much. It's no secret that I had some... odd choices in lovers in the past. But I'd say I chose pretty well this time around eh?"
"That you did and you can't take it back either. We're soulmates. You're stuck with me now Xena." Gabrielle deepened their kiss but it lasted but a few seconds before she was the one pressed against the door instead of her lover. She was moaned into Xena's mouth, her arms locked around her neck, her hands threading through her hair.
"What ever shall I do?" When one of Xena's hands left Gabrielle's thigh and pressed just under her breast she broke the kiss fully. "This is what I was talking about earlier. You blame me for sleepless nights and broken beds, but you are just as guilty. Horny bard."
"Not my fault you're irresistible. Besides with all these other people flirting with us I think we should do something to let them know we're taken."
"You can be pretty loud when I fuck you right." It wasn't a problem when they were on the road and all alone but if someone else was with them they more than often abstained from having sex. Gabrielle tried to keep it quiet but she had no control of herself when Xena was touching her.
"I was thinking something more like love bites. I'm a little tired and my throat is already feeling a little scratchy from all those stories." Her condition didn't stop her from flirting. Nothing would ever stop her from flirting with Xena.
With a knowing smirk Xena agreed. "Right, we wouldn't want you to lose your ability to tell stories." She let her teeth sink into Gabrielle's neck. "Try to keep quiet then. Can you do that for me Gabrielle?" The back pressed her lips against Xena's shoulder and nodded. "We'll see." Xena bit down harder, hard enough to leave a deep bite mark on her lover's shoulder.