Mission Impossible [Gwaine]

[shonz]

Percival let out a wide yawn as he tried to finish the last rounds of his patrol in the lower part of the city. He was on a night shift with his fellow knight Gwaine, and it was almost past midnight. While most late night patrol duties were delegated to the soldiers and guards, Percival thought it would be a good experience to try out. It surprised him when Gwaine had agreed to accompany him. The man was probably getting bored all cooped up in his quarters to sacrifice a good night’s rest before Samhain. Still Percival appreciated it. Gwaine was fun company, and most of the patrol, while uneventful, was anything but dull with him around.

"I wished we stumbled upon at least one thief or a robber. This was one boring patrol night," Percival remarked out of the blue as he kicked a small rock under his boot. He tried but failed to stifle another yawn, and he wished he had brought at least a flask containing one strong coffee to keep him alert. A chase would wake him up right now, but on a quite night like this, there was practically peace and quiet within the city of Camelot.

"Thank you, by the way, for coming along. I hope I hadn’t kept you from a date with a pretty lady or from a drinking spree with folks at The Rising Sun," he told Gwaine while slapping the man on his shoulders. It had been a year now since he first met Gwaine when Percival had come to Camelot with Lancelot during Morgana's reign. To Percival, Gwaine was one of the jolly good ones, always willing and ready for a good time. But one can’t take him lightly though, Gwaine was a master swordsman, and Percival had a lot of respect for this brother of his.

[thegwaine]

The late night patrol was something that Gwaine never rushed to volunteer for. Apart from the fact that if there was going to be trouble, it would usually happen at night, it was also cutting into his ale time. Well, he had had to cut down on his ale time anyway since becoming a Knight of Camelot. Before he had been Knighted he had practically spent most of his life in various taverns across Albion.

He grinned as Percival deemed the night as boring. Gwaine put a hand through his hair and took a few quick paces so that he was in front of Percival and opened his arms, showing himself off, "How could any night with me possibly be boring?" He grinned and with a chuckle he rejoined Percival's side.

When Percival slapped him on the shoulders, Gwaine managed a sort of strained smile. He doubted Percival knew his own strength sometimes, and that bloody hurt! Well he wasn't about to voice that like some nancy, so he just grinned back at his fellow knight and brushed aside his worries. "I'll make up for lost time tomorrow." He winked at Percival and began to look forwards, "You should join me for a drink sometime; you never know, it could be fun."

[shonz]

A chuckle issued from Percival when Gwaine all but declared to the world that no night would ever be boring with him around. He shook his head and then smiled. This man sure knew how to give things a fun turn. He had barely known Gwaine for a year, and yet he seem to be quite taken with his fellow knight's carefree way of life. It was contagious. For someone who had been through so much pain and sorrow in the past, Percival knew Gwaine was the perfect antidote to his otherwise gloomy past. Gwaine made facing the present, with a wild and cheery outlook, so much fun to bear. "You weren't trying so hard to make it fun tonight. If I know any better, you were scared out there," he teased.

Trust Gwaine to find some way around his ale and women time tonight. From stories shared for over a year now, Percival had known Gwaine to be quite the drunkard and womanizer, but he was an excellent swordsman too. Other than Arthur, Gwaine was one of the best he had met on the road. Now that they were both knights of Camelot, Gwaine seemed to have minimized those vices. Minimize, not eliminate. Gwaine wouldn't be Gwaine without his ale and women. Percival only shook his head amusedly at the thought.

At Gwaine's suggestion for a drink, Percival pursed his lips together, thoughtful. "I could use a drink tonight," he remarked quite unexpectedly that even he himself was surprised. Unlike Gwaine, Percival wasn't exactly much of a regular at taverns. While he wouldn't say no to good ale, Gwaine just surpasses them all when it comes to that aspect. "You think the taverns are still open at this hour?" If there was anybody who knew the closing times of taverns around Camelot, it would be Gwaine.

[thegwaine]

Patrol wasn't a task he particularly involved, especially at night. There weren't any pretty ladies to look upon at this time of night. At least if he was patrolling during the day there might be the occasional woman's face to look upon which would make the burden of patrol more bearable. There was little chance of that anytime soon was there? He'd have to wait until the morning and try his luck there, or perhaps try it on with the tavern girls later. The world was Gwaine's oyster; life was what he made it.

"Me scared?" He let out a rather amused laugh and patted Percival's shoulder, "That my dear Percival, will never happen." He chuckled again, and with another harsh pat on the shoulder, Gwaine continued just walking forwards on their patrol. It was rather quiet so far, and Gwaine could only hope that this continued.

Gwaine was more than pleased that Percival seemed to agree with the idea of a drink at the end of the night. Were the taverns open? As long as there was a drunk to serve and ale to be served then of course the taverns would be open. Why would the Rising Sun limit its profits by closing? Gwaine shook his head, "I don't think the tavern ever closes, I don't remember it ever closing anyway." By the end of the night it would have been a surprise if Gwaine could remember anything, let alone the taverns opening hours. "First ones on me." He then declared rather cheerfully.

[/blockquote]

[shonz]

It wasn't hard to tell that his fellow brother knight was not so amused about the idea of a night time patrol. Percival knew Gwaine that much. If Gwaine were to have it his way, Percival knew Gwaine would probably have chosen the tavern at this time of the night than to on patrol with a giant. Still Percival enjoyed his company, and knew that deep within Gwaine cared for Camelot as much as he does and don't really mind doing this.

Of course, Gwaine wan't scared. Percival was just trying to rile him up. Gwaine can be quite a hot-head, and that amused Percival to no end. While Percival himself was more the quite and shy type, Gwaine was more outspoken. Always with a word to say about everything. Percival can't complain, the man is the life of the party.

A laugh bubble out of Percival at Gwaine's remark about tavern's not closing. Yes, he should know better. "Heavens bless the taverns!" Percival joked. While not exactly a regular, Percival still enjoys a good drink when he can. Nothing soothes frazzled nerves and caps nights perfectly well like good ale and mead. Percival beamed when Gwaine offered to pay for their first round of drinks. "This patrol's almost over," he told Gwaine as he looked up to see the gates of the citadel up ahead. "Let's hand the reins over to those guards, and let the real fun begin, shall we?" Didn't Percival just say that Gwaine's cheery attitude was contagious? He was definitely looking forward to that drink now.

[thegwaine]

To be honest, he and Percival went together almost hand in hand. Where Gwaine spoke quite often, and without really thinking about when to stop, Percival was the one to listen rather than retort with just as much talking. That wasn't to say that he was boring, or that his choice of conversation was as dull as dishwater. No it was quite the opposite. Gwaine was glad that Percival gave him free reigns with the conversation, as it should really not be any other way. Plus, Gwaine enjoyed the other knight's company anyway. It made the time before he had an ale in his hands more bearable.

Gwaine was still adament that he wasn't scared so he looked across at his fellow brother with a grin. "Don't worry too much if you are too scared of course. I'm always here to protect us both." He chuckled, he was but jesting. Percival was more than capable of protecting himself and Gwaine knew that. It was quite interesting how different each of the knights were in the way that they chose to defend themselves. They all had their different fighting styles, but that meant that they all worked together quite well. Overall the knights of Camelot were strong unit, and they would hopefully remain like that for some time to come.

Handing the reigns over for the patrol and quickly moving on was the best idea Percival had had all night. Gwaine nodded and quickened his pace. The motivation of a good ale was probably the best motivation that someone could have. "Sounds like a plan, then we can grab an ale at the rising sun?" He suggested with a grin as they gained on the guards in front of them.

[shonz]

"Don't worry too much if you are too scared of course. I'm always here to protect us both."

"Oh, you're much too kind, Sir Gwaine. I can't thank you enough for offering to protect me," Percival teasingly replied, his voice tiny and high-pitched to mimic that of a woman. He knew Gwaine said he'd protect them 'both,' but Percival couldn't resist playing with Gwaine like that. Infamous among the knights to be quite a lover of women, Gwaine would never pass up an opportunity to please folks of the feminine persuasion. Gwaine was quite the casanova, and Percival sort of admired him for that. Quite the shy type, Percival was never as bold as Gwaine was when it comes to approaching women and starting up casual conversations. During parties, he'd rather stay in the sidelines and just content himself with watching and admiring women from afar. Not Gwaine. While the man was the proverbial womanizer, he was never rude to women. Gwaine treats them with respect and courtesy, and what woman wouldn't fall for that kind of charm. Yes, he was content to let Gwaine take top honors in that department. Gwaine certainly had no competition from him there.

"No reason to delay any longer" enthused Percival. He had never been to the Rising Sun past midnight, and he wondered if the tavern would be bursting with patrons at this time or would it just be the two of them. Either way, Percival was at least determined to cap the night with some fine-tasting ale as a good and fun way to welcome Samhain.

He quickened his steps until he had caught up with the guards ahead of them. "Well, this is us. Sir Gwaine and I need to make a quick stop at the village before we call it a night," Percival told the guards as he patted one on the shoulder. The knights weren't exactly dodging their responsibilities so to speak. The gates of the citadel were only a dozen or so steps ahead where their patrol duties would technically end. Nothing wrong with taking a detour instead of immediately retiring to their quarters in the castle.

[thegwaine]

Of course Percival should be glad of Gwaine's protection, as it meant that he would never come to any harm under his watch. Cocking a grin at Percival, it was hard to keep a straight face at his friend. Not even imagining that Gwaine was protecting some young, slim, brunette was working. In fact, that just made it worse. "Well at least we'll be sure that neither of us will be attacked." He winked up at Percival and chuckled to himself, still unable to get the image of Percival as a young woman out of his head. That would be one image that he would never be sharing with his friend. It might just traumatise him too much. Anyway, that was getting totally off topic; which was pretty normal for Gwaine. It was so boring to stay on one task at a time; his head was already racing towards the next thing. At the moment, it was the promise of an ale at the end of the patrol.

He nodded up at Percival, glad that there would be no further delay to their journey to the tavern. At this time of night the place would surely be booming, and no doubt his presence would already be being missed. He had turned into quite the regular after all. Gwaine rubbed his arms with the palms of his hands as he waited for Percival to hand over the patrol; the night air had certainly set in. The sooner they could get some ale down their throats the better. At least the tavern would be warm.

"Night men." Gwaine saluted the pair and flashed them a quick grin before turning towards the Rising Sun; Percival by his side. He looked up to his fellow knight and rubbed his hands together. "I think I can hear ale calling," He enthused as the tavern came into sight, "You first, after all, I am protecting us both." He jested once more with his friend, stepping aside so Percival could enter the tavern before he did.

[shonz]

“What are you grinning about? I don’t like that manic look on your face,” Percival told Gwaine, squinting his eyes at his friend. He made a show of being annoyed by it. Gwaine could have quite an imagination, and Percival was not sure if he wanted to know what was going on inside his friend’s mind right now. Maybe later. That wink somehow made Percival uncomfortable. Not because his fellow knight might be thinking ill of him, but because Gwaine might have a plan in mind, a joke at his expense. Best get it out of him now before Gwaine shares it with the others. Perhaps later when Gwaine’s have had quite a number of drinks.

"I think I can hear ale calling."

Percival rolled his eyes. Why was he not surprised to hear him say that. “You always do. Even when we’re in the middle of the forest hunting bandits, you already hear ale calling,” he replied as they made their way to the tavern. From afar, it seemed the place was still all alive and lively even at this time of the night. Or maybe this was the peak hour, Percival wasn’t so sure.

When Gwaine motioned for him to step in first, Percival cocked his head at him and gave his friend a playful I-will-get-you-later kind of look. He then pushed the tavern door open and was greeted by quite a raucous crowd indeed. What a welcome sight it was as opposed to the quiet of the night when they were on patrol earlier. A smile lit up Percival’s face as he drank in the merry sight of the patrons as he made his way towards an empty table near the bar.

[thegwaine]

Gwaine would usually argue that there could never be a manic look upon his face. It was much to handsome to be capable of being manic. However, if that was how Percival wanted to view his features at the moment then so be it. Gwaine just increased his grin, making it more manic-like on purpose, "What manic look?" He asked teasingly and chuckled at his friend. Gwaine was never one to let an opportunity pass him by, especially one which involved an ale in the tavern. After all, this could be his way of becoming closer to his fellow knight. The Knights were like brothers after all, which meant that anything that they did was meant in lighthearted fun.

Gwaine considered Percival's words, and would have been insulted if his words weren't utterly and completely true. He raised his hands to deny his friends words and fell silent with a shrug, "And I have never once refused its call." That was also true. If an ale was calling nothing would stand in his way to what he wanted.

Gwaine was sure that Percival wouldn't let him away with that comment, and he would probably not live to regret it later, but for now he just grinned at him and followed him into the tavern. It was lively enough, which was always a good thing. If it had been too boring then Percival probably wouldn't have understood the appeal of a good ale at the end of the day, and that wouldn't have done at all. As his friend went to grab a table, Gwaine went straight to the bar and took two ales from the barman. He handed one to Percival with a grin, "First ones on me; just don't get used to it." He said with a wink, was of course joking. He could usually get a few free drinks from the bar ladies anyway so Gwaine never ended up too out of purse on a night out.

[shonz]

"What manic look?"

Percival would have replied back with a 'That manic look!', but he knew Gwaine well enough by now to know that he shouldn't rise to his brother knight's bait. Gwaine was such a big jokester to take seriously sometimes. Of course, there's no questioning Gwaine's excellent skill with the sword, that was a given. Gwaine's tendency to talk his way out of things, through things, during things...these are the 'skills' that Percival knew might make some people take Gwaine for granted. But he and the other knights, even Arthur himself, knew exactly what the man was capable of to treat him any less.

Percival gave Gwaine a bemused smirk when he offered to pay for their first drink. "Come on, man! I thought you have my back?" Percival teased as he grabbed the tankard Gwaine brought over and took a long swig from it. For all he knew, Gwaine was already too loyal a patron that the tavern owners would already willingly offer him a drink free of charge. The tavern owners or the bar ladies themselves. Gwaine was such a charmer too that he almost always gets his way with them.

"What would we do without you, my friend?" Percival remarked with a good laugh as he took another drink from his ale. He surveyed the lively scene around them. There were a group of men crowding over some betting in the corner. A few more were just hunched in talk, nothing really quiet and serious. It was a jolly night indeed. And Percival couldn't help the wide grin that spread across his face at what a welcome respite this was. "We'd never get free ale if it weren't for your charms...I mean connections."

[thegwaine]

Gwaine was still convinced that Percival was merely being paranoid with thinking that there was a manic look about his friend. This was how he usually looked, ok, he had been after worrying Percival so perhaps it was own fault. Gwaine didn’t really care though, he was having too much fun, and perhaps his ‘manic’ look would have to make a reappearance throughout the night, just to keep Percival on his toes. It was always fun to find out what buttons needed pressing for different people. It made it a lot easier to wind people up, and in turn meant that Gwaine was always in for a fun night. Gwaine grinned back at Percival as they waited for their ales.

As Percival took his ale, Gwaine gave a wink at the maid behind the bar, and the young girl blushed a deep scarlet, so already Gwaine knew he was not going to have to pay for either ale for now. He hoped his luck would not run out though, as he didn’t have that much money on him, and he didn’t want this to be a rushed drink in the tavern at all. Perhaps they would be able to get some food while they were here, after all, the kitchen staff didn’t give them nearly enough. He had once suggested them increasing the portion sizes, as a knight had to eat after all, and all he had been given was a beating with a wooden spoon all the way out of the kitchen. He finally turned his attentions back to Percival and grinned at him as he sunk his lips into his ale. “Perhaps you should give it a go?” He challenged and nodded towards the bar maid, wondering how much of a charmer his friend would turn out to be. Of course Percival would never match Gwaine’s level of charms, but it would be amusing to see him try.

Gwaine chuckled at Percival’s forced slip of the tongue, he wasn’t particularly bothered if his friends knew him as a charmer, because in essence, that was what he was. “Well unless you can match my charms, you will never see another free ale pass your lips.” He gave his friend a quick wink, and took in another sip of his ale. There really was no sweeter reward after a day of being all knightly really.

[shonz]

While Percival was no stranger to taverns, the jolly scene happening around him never cease to amaze him. Most especially the lovely and sexy barmaids who never fail to make it an even more interesting night. He didn't miss the far from innocent interaction between Gwaine and the maid behind the bar. The wink from his brother knight and the blush from the maid spoke volumes to the observant Percival. Non-tavern regular as he is, he knew what it meant, and he couldn't help the grin to spread across his face. Gwaine just ensured them their first round of drinks to be free. "Sweet!" he exclaimed out of nowhere as he took another swig from his drink, feeling it run down his throat and give him a slight buzz in the head.

“Perhaps you should give it a go?” Percival gave Gwaine a chuckle and then shook his head. Did Gwaine really just suggest that he try and flirt with the barmaid? It's not that Percival didn't want to--these barmaids are breathtaking in their own way and a man would be a fool to ignore them--but he's just not used to working up women like that. "I don't know..." he said as he furtively chanced a glance towards the barmaid Gwaine was gesturing to. The maid sent a smile his way.
“Well unless you can match my charms, you will never see another free ale pass your lips.” This time Percival let out a laugh of disbelief at his friend. Now, Gwaine was raising the stakes. Percival couldn't help but feel challenged now. He took a deep and heavy sigh, and then downed his whole tankard in one go. He needed all the liquid courage he could get if he were to do as what Gwaine had told him to do. The barmaid had smiled at him, that was more than enough encouragement as he could get. "I know I can't match your charms, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try," he said as he took another deep breath and prepared to engage the lovely maiden at the bar.

"Hey, handsome!" Out of nowhere came a soft and velvety yet bold voice, and Percival almost forgot what he was about to do when he saw, standing just behind him, the barmaid, a couple of tankards in her hands, flashing a smile his way. His way! Not Gwaine's! "Hey! You're...uhh... umm---Hey!" Percival fumbled as he gave the girl a wide smile, almost wanting to kick himself for just losing it. He looked at Gwaine for support and then back at the girl. It was now or never. "I'm Percival, and you are...the prettiest girl I've seen here tonight. How's it going?" That was definitely the ale speaking right there.

[thegwaine]

Gwaine raised an eye brow at Percival, though she said nothing, as his brother managed to down his entire pint in one go. Gwaine had many different thoughts about this. The first was that no way could he have appreciated the fine taste of ale in such a quick glug, and the second main thought was that he hoped Percival could hold his drink quite well if he was drinking it at that sort of speed. Gwaine watched his friend carefully as he went to move away from the table, not that he would make a break to catch him or anything if he went off balance, after all Percival was a lot taller than he was. The more likely scenario would be if Percival did off balance due to the ale, Gwaine would try to catch him and be squashed in the process. There were still plenty of drinking hours left, so Gwaine wasn’t really in favour of being squashed at all, so he would be keeping an eye on Percival’s ale consumption.

Well of course Percival would never be able to match Gwaine’s level of charm, and he let out a small chuckle at his brothers words, “That goes without saying.” He was surprised that Percival rose to the challenge so quickly, this should be good, Gwaine thought to himself with a grin. He didn’t want his brother to fail of course in his persuits, but Percival had just downed an entire ale, and was now proceeding to charm a barmaid who had probably heard every flirt in the book; Gwaine should know after all, he wrote the book. “Good luck.” He clapped his brother on the back, and returned to his ale as he had not been foolish enough to down it in a few moments.

Gwaine was suitably unimpressed that the barmaid was making eyes at Percival instead of him. That was the last time he brought a good looking man into the tavern to drink with. This was ridiculous, usually he was the one getting attentions, not his brothers. Gwaine tried not to laugh at Percival’s incoherent speech, but he managed to put a brave face, on, and bit his tongue so he didn’t laugh. “Perhaps try actual words, works a treat with women.” He replied, taking a swig of his ale to once again stop himself laughing. He knew Percival wouldn’t be able to match his level of charm, but he didn’t think it would be this painful to watch. Despite his brothers words being at best basic for a knight’s level of charm, the woman hadn’t gone anywhere. Hmm, usually it took more skill than that to keep a woman’s attention and Gwaine poked Percival in the side and gave him a sharp look, “Don’t stop now,” He whispered, “You’ve got her just where you want her, now focus on those ales in her hand, and not what lies above them.” Well, of course he could focus on her face, but there were more interesting part of a woman that a mans eyes liked to lie, however women didn’t usually liked to be looked at in such ways, and Gwaine didn’t want to miss out on ales because of a basic mistake like that.

[shonz]

Gwaine was indeed being the supportive brother knight that he was supposed to be. And Percival would have been very thankful for the boost up had he not seen the look that Gwaine was trying to suppress. Of course, trust Gwaine to find entertainment in his discomfort. What did he expect from the number one womanizer in the kingdom really, Percival thought with undisguised amusement. Still it was better than no support at all.

The barmaid was quite amused at his attempts to charm her, and somehow she was giving him the time of the day, just standing there flashing him a bright smile. Was she laughing inwardly at him as well? "Why thank you! Aren't you a sweet man? I never thought a big man like you..." she replied, her voice trailing as she bit her lip and gave her a coy yet suggestive look-over from head to toe...lingering a bit at his bare muscled arms.

“You’ve got her just where you want her, now focus on those ales in her hand, and not what lies above them.” If anything, Gwaine was distracting him really. Here he was trying to focus on what the barmaid was saying and Gwaine was whispering confusing words to him. Where do I want her exactly? Percival's thoughts asked. And what was Gwaine talking about "what lies above the ales in her hand"? It took him a while to process it though, blame the ale swirling in his head. Was he talking about those beautiful huge mounds on her chest? Trying to be a gentleman, Percival tried to kick Gwaine under the table for even suggesting that. Now, Percival was thoroughly distracted as he tried to prevent his eyes from straying to her bosom.

"Do you prefer the sweet me or the big me?" Percival asked the barmaid, before he could stop himself, not really sure what just came out of his mouth, and felt heat rise up his cheeks and his ears at the possible connotation. Shamefaced, he didn't turn to look at Gwaine who was probably laughing his arse off now at his fumble. "So hard to decide...can I have both?" replied the barmaid, giggling as she scooted closer to him. This time, Percival turned to Gwaine, the expert. His eyes held a question for the other knight, a word forming on his lips. Help!

[thegwaine]

Gwaine knew that he was supposed to be supportive friend in a sort of way, after all he didn't know how many women Percival had tried to charm in the past. However, it was too amusing watching him try to charm women to remain in the role of the supportive friend for too long. Gwaine was putting all his effort into not bursting out laughing at his friends efforts. After all, he was sure that the only reason that the girl was making eyes at Percival was because she couldn't see Gwaine. That was the only explanation really. The fact she described Percival as sweet left a small smile found Gwaine's lips. He had never been called sweet by any woman, he preferred other compliment to be honest.

He was slightly irritated that no woman was making eyes at him just yet. Perhaps he would have been better off coming on his own if he had craved female company. However, wasn't this night supposed to be him and Percival drinking together? Or maybe he had just thought to remember that because Gwaine wasn't getting any female attention. He was watching the barmaid who was talking to Percival, and he was wondering how his friend hadn't jumped on her yet. She was biting her lip and everything! Gwaine rolled his eyes, and drained his ale, feeling the need straight away to grab another one. Before he shifted to the bar, he ribbed Percival in the back, as a silence had fallen with his friend. He knew Percival was quiet by nature, but this really wasn't the time for him to play the mute. He actually needed to say something now. "Say something!" Gwaine half hissed, still trying hard not to laugh as he went over to the bar to get himself another drink.

By the time he got back with his ale, that he hadn't had to pay for of course, the woman had come over to their table. How rude of her, especially if she was going to ignore Gwaine's rugged beauty. Gwaine resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Percival looked to him for help. Half coughing into his hand he looked up at his friend, "Do something." He coughed, so his friend could catch his drift, "Take her hand! Before I do it for you."

[shonz]

Percival felt like everything was going in slow motion. It was taking forever to get this barmaid to offer them a drink. Blame Gwaine as always for making him a guinea pig. It wasn't that he was completely inexperienced with women, Percival was just not the type to flirt openly like Gwaine does. But somehow flirting is the name of the game in taverns when you want to get yourself a free tankard of ale or two.

"Say something!" His brother knight had egged him on yet again. He had said something, didn't he? He had spoken to the barmaid, and thanks or no thanks to the ale swimming in his head (or was that his head swimming in ale?) Percival was now boldly flirting with the woman.

"Take her hand! Before I do it for you." Percival need no telling twice. When the woman had asked him if she can have both of Percival, the knight immediately grabbed both her hands. Unfortunately though, the tankards of ale she was holding were full to the brim, and Percival just sloshed a good amount of the liquid on his shirt. The barmaid let out a small surprised shriek and immediately placed the tankards on their table. "Let me take care of that for you, darling," she said taking a piece of cloth from her apron and lifted Percival's shirt up to wipe his drenched stomach. "It's perfectly fine," he told the barmaid. She had shushed him, and sat him down just as she quickly worked on pulling his shirt off of him before stalking off and leaving them.

It all happened so fast, and Percival wasn't so sure exactly what just transpired. Before he realized it, he was totally shirtless, sitting there looking confused and incredulous at Gwaine. Then he looked at the two tankards of ale sitting on their table. "Did that woman just took my shirt in exchange for two free ale?" Percival asked still in a daze.

[thegwaine]

The fact that the barmaid had spilt some of the ale was slightly irritating. That was good ale she was wasting! Gwaine didn’t move an inch at the scene he was seeing, instead he just chose to let out a short chuckle and finished off the ale he was currently drinking. He knew Percival wasn’t that well versed in courting, but he didn’t think that it was this dire.

Gwaine couldn’t believe how forwards this barmaid was being with Percival. Gwaine usually had to work a lot harder to even get a response. Maybe he needed to take lessons from the man, no, his methods were perfectly fine, Percival was just getting lucky tonight. It was beginners luck, that was all Gwaine could put it down to. He just raised his eye brows at the barmaids hands were already at Percival’s shirt. He stood close by, just in case Percival fainted at this sudden female attention, he wasn’t quite sure how used to female attention Percival was, so it was probably for the best. Gwaine was well versed in female attention, and often found it hard to be shocked by women at all, but Percival’s little catch was turning out to be quite the vixen. Gwaine didn’t flinch as Percival tried to brush the barmaid away from his drenched shirt, he was rather enjoying this, what came next though surprised Gwaine quite a lot.

He was torn between laughing and just looking shocked as the shirt was whisked off Percival’s back. Gwaine just stared at his friend for a few moments, and then quickly realised he was just looking at his friend shirtless. Awkwardly Gwaine’s eyes just went to the table and he made a rather odd sounding ‘erm’ sound. Then the situation sunk into Gwaine’s mind, and he let out quite a sharp laugh and put his head in his hands. Gwaine couldn’t stop himself from laughing. He had never been in a situation where a woman had stolen his shirt, at least without getting something in return. Well, he supposed that they had their ales, but more female attention on Percival’s part would have been more preferred wouldn’t it? Gwaine took the ale the barmaid had left there and took a sip. “Was it worth losing your shirt?” He asked his friend carefully. Ale was well worth anything of course, but now his friend was half naked in the middle of the tavern. This was rather awkward.

[shonz]

Percival have had light flirtations with some of the maidens in his village a few years ago, but none of those had exactly reached the level of boldness like this situation right here with the barmaid. Most of the maidens he had courted then had been rather shy, and it never really got anywhere past the harmless flirting. So it wasn’t really a surprise for Percival to see Gwaine looking so amused at his fumble. He knew he looked totally awkward and inadequate dealing with the brazen barmaid.

Perhaps it was his luck that this barmaid was quite audacious, unabashed. Had she been of the shy and coy type, Percival doubted he’d get anywhere as well. The woman was controlling the situation, and Percival only too happily allowed her to. It was effortless this way. If only she wasn’t so keen on putting him very much on the spot. If he hadn’t known any better, he’d think Gwaine had put her up to this. Percival was almost close to thinking his brother knight had bribed the woman to be extra-friendly to him so he wouldn’t leave the tavern all shamefaced with zero attention. But nah, Percival thought. Gwaine probably wouldn't do that. Gwaine would probably have wanted her for himself.

Percival turned his head to stare at the retreating back of the barmaid as she walked away with his shirt. He was torn between rushing after her and staying put to enjoy the free ale. Before he could decide, however, Gwaine had let out a sharp laugh, and Percival had to shot his friend an annoyed look. Trust Gwaine to find hilarity in the situation. Percival wondered if his friend had been in a similar situation before. Did Gwaine ever had to give his shirt away in exchange for free ales? Odds are in the affirmative he did.

“Was it worth losing your shirt?”

Looking at Gwaine just trying hard but failing to contain his laughter, it didn’t take long for Percival, even in his drunken state, to see the humor in the situation as well. The annoyed frown in his face slowly turned into a smile, then into a grin…and then finally into a burst of laughter as everything started sinking in. He was half-naked. In the middle of a tavern. That was overflowing with patrons to the brim. Yes, it was awkward but it was also downright funny knowing a woman had just as easily taken his shirt off and walked away with it. He grabbed the tankard of ale before him and took a long swig before putting it back down. Laughter still in his face, Percival smacked his lips as he savored the taste of the drink. “I’d say my shirt is worth more than two tankards of ale. We should demand for more, my friend!” he told Gwaine with that wide grin on his face.

[thegwaine]

Gwaine had lost a lot in the persuit of ale, well not that much, but he’d always put a lot of effort into getting ale. However, he had never lost his shirt with such ease. He’d taken it off himself, thinking (correctly most of the time) that that would get him a free ale or several. Women usually fell straight away for that little trick, but Gwaine could hardly blame them. This was him after all. It amused him that the bar maid had been so forceful, and so controlling of the situation. Women like that were always the most interesting, because sometimes it was more fun to be led rather than to lead. Gwaine half expected Percival to go after the woman to get his shirt back, but he stayed put and Gwaine managed to stop laughing long enough to take another swig of his ale.

Gwaine wasn’t overly convinced Percival was being truthful with him, or if he was, then he doubted he would believe his own words for very long. It wasn’t a very warm night, and though the tavern was warm, it wouldn’t be warm on the way back up to the castle. His friend seemed to have let the ale go to his head, and Gwaine shook his head in an amused sort of way. He wouldn’t be able to stand it if he was that easily taken over by drink. It would make his evenings no fun at all. He was a bit tipsy at the moment, yes, but that was it. This was how he liked it, he wasn’t going to get so limp with ale that he couldn’t carry himself back up to the castle because he wouldn’t end up anywhere near his bed if he did that. Preferrably he would want to find a pretty young lady to entertain him for a while, but that wasn’t likely either. He wasn’t having any luck at the moment. He cocked a grin at his friend, “I’ll drink to that.” He said rather confidently, and complied with his own words.

Gwaine looked around the tavern, looking for the woman who had Percival’s shirt. Maybe she just had a stash of mens shirts, and she’d gone off to add that to the mix. He smiled at the thought, but he couldn’t help thinking that the woman would want Percival to at least look for the shirt. It could be amusing to watch Percival try at least, “Shouldn’t you get your shirt back before we go?” He asked with an amused grin on his face.