PM to join [Rearing Stallion] Come in & take a seat (Hadyn)

[Shiress]

With Hadyn's time to visit confirmed, Shiress lifted herself from her chair and made her way behind the bar. She listened to every word the brunette spoke as she set out round two for the both of them. She returned with mugs in both hands, sipping from hers as Hadyn's was placed on the table. "Trouble makers?" repeated the barmaid as she lowered herself again in the chair, pondering the type as she sipped ale again. Her mind scanned the many faces of the people that would fill the tavern any given day. There wasn't any who she would consider trouble makers, but there were plenty who probably could cause trouble if they took the notion to. Her face frowned and twisted giving thought of who the beautiful woman should avoid. "Well." She said, coming from her thoughts. "You almost had the pleasure of meeting Chuck, a regular. He would tend to annoy you most, I think. He certainly appreciates a fine looking lady, as yourself, and he'll try and push his way on you, but he's harmless and needs a firm hand is all." She gave a small shrug of her shoulders. "Brawls are few and far between here at The Stallion. Thanks mostly to the squires that..." Her voice cut off as her eyes narrowed. Sinking back to memory at the mention of the word squire. A certain doctor turned squire and the absurd arrogance that surrounds the man. Shiress took a long pull from her mug as Orion Michaels voice raddled her mind. Remembering his spewing of unwarranted and venomous words at her as he stormed from her tiny apartment. An evening of vengeance turned erotic for the green eyed girl. An evening that should have meant a lot to Shiress. And it would have had it not been for an arrogant, self loving, virginity stealing, piece of shyke..."Orion Michaels." She snapped. Her mug pressed firmly against her lips, draining half her second mug in one gulp. "Doctor turned Squire Orion Michaels." She said, placing her mug to the table a bit harshly. "Stay away from that self loving, disrespectful, son of Rhysol, piece of shyke." Catching herself a bit late, she chuckled at her own words. "Stay away from him, he's not nice."

[Hadyn Skellig]

It was turning into a nice evening - unexpected but considerably more interesting than sitting at home. Hadyn's gaze followed Shiress as she went to fetch another round, crossing one leg over the other and making herself comfortable in the chair. Her arm rested upon the table, the other resting on her thigh. It was a change to be so relaxed (while sober) in the Stallion. She received the second mug with a smile as the other woman spoke. Hadyn canted her head in memory of Chuck. Yes, she'd seen him before though never had any interaction with him. Good to know he was a harmless simpleton. As far as brawls went the blacksmith tried to keep her nose out of them. Of course there have been the occasional argument that led to fisticuffs but Hadyn couldn't recall the last time she'd been directly involved in one. A year, perhaps? Though the woman started by taking a leisurely drought from the mug as Shiress continued, she nearly choked on the liquid as the name was spoken. Coughing once and setting the mug down, Hadyn's brow furrowed as she observed the change in Shiress' demeanor. Clearly the charming and witty Orion Michaels had not left a good impression on the distraught bar tender. "Them's fightin' words, friend" she replied wryly. She didn't want to press the issue considering the girl's reaction to his memory. But her interest was piqued. "This bloke done you wrong?" If anything she felt immediate concern for Shiress. As far as Orion Michaels pertained to Hadyn's life, he was simply another man to share a bed with (or rather, the floor). But the way Shiress spat the words out and her evident loathing for the squire left Hadyn both curious and distressed. Had he hurt her? He certainly didn't seem like the type to go around intentionally being cruel. But he was adamant that women observe seemingly strict boundaries. Hadyn picked the mug up again to attempt another sip, her eyes watching the other woman.

[Shiress]

Shiress tilted her head and sighed. "I'm sorry, I should mind my manors and choose more lady like words." She said, lowering her eyes. Recalling the night with the good doctor was not a pleasantry for her, not in the least. "Done me wrong? She repeated, lifting her head. "Oddly, Im not sure." She brought the mug to her lips as her eyes locked against Hadyn. The woman truly was beautiful. Her eyes, hair, her smile, everything about the blacksmith embraced Shiress making her feel to be welcomed company. "Im a complicated story, Hadyn." She said with a slight smile "I think the good doctor was wrote in unintentionally." Her mood shifted having to put more thought into her night with Orion. Given time...and a bit of ale Shiress could find herself to blame for most anything. She sat her body upright, leaning her arms against the table, her hands hugging her mug as she began to speak. "I was injured when I was brought through the walls of Syliras. Orion was the doctor I was taken to. He-he truly saved my life. I wouldn't be in this conversation had it not been for him" Green eyes lifted to the brunette searching her expression, pondering whether or not she should continue her story, whether or not the woman would understand. She drew in a breath feeling the beginning effects of ale settling in, one being a loose tongue and thus so the barmaid decided to just lay it out there. "Being badly injured I didn't have proper thought and from what I was told, Dr. Michaels had to subdue me by knocking me unconscious." Her arm stretched out quickly toward Hadyn, attempting to stop any possible negative thoughts from the woman. "I mean he had to. I was fighting against those trying to save my life, I can understand that...now." Her arm lowered at the realization of how absurd she had acted that night, seeking revenge for something that ultimately saved her life. Gods, maybe it was my fault. Maybe I got what was coming to me Snapping back to attention, she tucked away fallen strands of hair and continued. "I saw him here one night after having a bit to many ale's and decided I would play a game with the doctor. A revenge game, I suppose." The more the girl spoke, the more she found her motives that night to be completely childish. Hearing herself explain this out loud to another person gave her a different view of herself. An unpleasant view, embarrassed of her own actions. "It was a childish game. A game only one under the effects of ale would play. I decided to seduce the doctor, get him just close enough to think he'd be a happy man by the end of the evening then I'd let him down miserably and have my revenge." Shiress sighed and chuckled softly. "He turned the tables. Oh did Orion turn the tables. He got what he wanted that night." Shiress bit her bottom lip and shook her head. She couldn't believe her own words or more so that she was sharing them. "At the end of it all he asked for my true intentions. I only thanked him, though. I thanked him for saving my life and asked him for his friendship." She continued, her voice shaking a bit as tears filled her eyes. "And he lost it. He...just lost it. He chose the harshest of words. Words a lady, in my opinion, shouldn't hear, but he said them, yelled them as he slammed the door behind him all because I thanked him, the only man I had ever..." Tears fell past her green eyes as she sipped from her mug. It broke her heart to recall the doctor's words, his actions, herself being left alone and confused. A forced smile spread slowly across her lips as she lifted her head to look at Hadyn "Im so sorry, Hadyn. I didn't mean to get lost in my words. You didn't want to hear all that. Dr. Michaels is a good man in his own way, I think. He'll make a brave Syliran Knight soon and I respect that of him. I'll just mind myself to stay away from his bed" Her hands raised around her mouth as to mimic a whisper. "He's got the best blue eyes." She said with a grin

[Hadyn Skellig]

The blacksmith listened in careful silence, her mug untouched on the table. Shiress' explanation was both distressing and revealing. She felt for the girl, sympathy born out of her own experience with men. It was telling that she obviously realized her own mistakes or misunderstandings and she was to be respected for that. Hadyn regarded her new companion with a measure of concern but it was replaced with a kind smile. "A complicated story, that," the brunette mused, finally taking a drink from the mug. "Surely y'can't be wrong for saying thank you. He likely wanted somethin' he couldn't have from you. And when he realized y'weren't that kind o' lass, he had a tantrum." Hadyn couldn't help smiling at the thought of Orion Michaels pitching a fit when Shiress endeared him with kind words - though she reproached herself for the sake of her friend's disquiet. She wasn't sure if now was the best time to inform the girl that she herself had bedded the man in question. Perhaps leave that for another conversation. But Hadyn's opinion on the matter was the same and she felt obliged to share it with Shiress, if only to ease her dolor. Offering her a casual shrug, the blacksmith spoke again, her tone implying some measure of sisterly advice. "Men can be petching fools, as you well know workin' here. But they don't want to be played with any more than you do." Hadyn hesitated, assessing the other woman's disposition before continuing slowly, choosing her words with care. "Sure an' that doesn't excuse his behavior. Especially if you'd never been with a man. He ought to be ashamed of his childish reaction, considerin' he calls his'self a doctor an' all." Another pause. "Shiress, I hope not to overstep m'boundaries with you after you were open enough to share your tale. Only offer some advice from a woman well versed in pissin' men off and lettin' go of regrets.

[Shiress]

Shiress offered a nod in agreement as the brunette spoke, her thoughts wandering around the advice Hadyn offered. The girl knew that what she had done was wrong. Playing a head game without fully understanding the rule of game was one thing, but playing someone a fool was plain spiteful and attempting to play Dr. Orion Michaels as a fool had done nothing but leave herself the fool, alone and crying in her own playing field. "Fool." Shiress laughed. "I was the one left the fool. Orion Michaels figured out my inebriated game early on, he just played my own game against me and won." She rolled her eyes playfully at Hadyn, placing her mug against her lips and taking a sip. A pondering thought gave hesitation to her arm a chime as it lowered. Finally collecting her thoughts, she drew in a long pondering breath and exhaled it slowly. She placed her elbows against the table, resting her chin against her bent knuckles. "You know, I just hate that I cant know him better. I hate that my stupid, childish choices made him hate me so." Her eyes slid to Hadyn as she sat straight. "Tell me Hadyn." She began again with a slight tilt to her head. "Have you ever pissed off a man that you thought you may be in love with?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

The brunette nodded discerningly as Shiress explicated her feelings on the matter. First impressions were notoriously hard to overcome and by the sound of it, the young woman before her was deeply regretting her choices. It was Hadyn's impression thus far that a girl like Shiress might do Orion some good if he could move past his ire. Eyebrows rose at the question, the blacksmith's expression shifting to a look of surprise. But she recovered with a nod, taking a swig of ale before answering. "Oh I've bent plenty o' men outta shape, to be sure." She replied with a grin, setting the mug down. Brushing strands of hair behind her ear, Hadyn sat back now that the attention was on her, steady in her response. "Learned not to lament such things, though." She took another slow sip, considering how personal to make her statement. Hadyn wasn't overly fond of divulging her past especially in the presence of a new friend. But Shiress had been so open with her tale that the blacksmith felt obliged to respond in kind. Besides, if the girl could gain any insight from Hadyn's missteps perhaps it would make her feel better. "There was a man," she began, hesitation unbidden in her voice. It was evident she didn't speak much of this, taking her time to find the words. "I was young and guileless. He was charismatic - ten years older than me and seemingly worldly. I was utterly bewitched." It wasn't an admittance she'd made out loud to many people and it felt strange to speak thus but with a loose smile, Hadyn continued. She was going to tell her the whole of it, both out of reciprocation and as a anecdote to the dangers of the heart. "Truthfully, Shiress, I was intolerably stupid about t'whole ordeal. He coerced and cajoled me. Convinced me love blessed us. Not to bore you with the details, he was a petchin' ass. A rotten lyin' pig of a man. Somehow under the belief my family was sittin' upon a gold mine. When I discovered the truth, this shyke-stain of a vagik admitted without a shred of remorse his deception. I told him my family had no such wealth and he was gravely mistaken. A working family we were. Well that didn't sit well with him. Left me within an inch of my life, days in the infirmary." Hadyn stopped, feeling the bitter taste of disgust rise in her chest. It'd been many years since she thought so intently on the subject. Indeed she spent a good two years learning to move on. But here she was spilling her proverbial guts to a near stranger. How the stoic have relented. Swallowing her antipathy in order to continue, Hadyn cocked her head to the side with a contemplative expression. "Not that y'need to hear my story of woe. But in answer to y'question, yes. I have unintentionally brought a man to blows with my own disregard for how the world really works. Love doesn't come about that way, I can tell you that. I've learned not to expect anythin' from men. In matters of the flesh it's quite simple and requires no attachment." She regarded Shiress with memory-laden eyes before speaking once more. "More than you bargained for when y'asked, hm? I don't mean t'tell you to act like I do. I know I'm no exemplar of decent, well grounded behavior. I'm terribly sorry for your experience with Orion Michaels. They are not all like that - I promise. If y'want to know, I think you ought to try again if you e'er see him. Y'have nothin' to lose and if he's absolutely worthy of your regard, he'll see his folly." Hadyn fell silent, suddenly immensely uncomfortable with all she'd shared. Wasn't like her. Wasn't predictable behavior. But she felt a kinship with Shiress, one borne of shared experiences. She wanted to caution the girl against becoming like her - unattached and flippant when it came to men. Shiress had a better heart than her and she deserved the affection she gave forth.

[Shiress]

Again the barmaid listened wide eyed and attentive. She could tell by the woman's hesitation with words that it was an uncomfortable story to tell. Shiress could definitely relate to the blacksmith and she smiled affectionately at the realization of it. She wondered if there were more pages to Hadyn's story that she couldn't read or was aloud to read. The girl really wanted to trust the brunette and for now she did. As Hadyn fell silent Shiress' lingering gaze fell away and she too became silent. The blacksmith's candid detail of her past to only relate and offer help to the barmaid impressed her, giving her a respect for Hadyn few others, if any, held. The girl shifted around in her chair, dropping her head causing strands of loose hair to fall over her eyes as she spoke. " Hadyn, thank you for relating to me and offering a bit of yourself. I know that's a hard thing to do and I appreciate it, truly." Her head lowered further to her hands laying in her lap. "I know how it feels to be under the hand of an angry man. The pain is devastating to your thoughts as well as your body, I know. But as far as Dr. Michaels." She gave a half smile before continuing. "He'll never see his folly, I don't think. I don't even see him him anymore, not since that night even. He avoids me." She chuckled. Her hand stretched out and grabbed her mug and as she drank her green eyes made their way again to the woman's brown. The girl pondered the thought of telling the blacksmith what she had hoped very few people knew about her. To offer Hadyn this bit of her past may give the blacksmith a better understanding of why the girl developed feelings for this so called Dr. Michaels, but it could also leave the brunette appalled and disgusted. The topic of Slavery taken on by patrons in The Stallion had mixed opinions at best. The overheard conversations by the barmaid had both left her smiling and crying off in the corner of the tavern. Telling Hadyn could prove the worst if the blacksmith was left appalled and disgusted, which many would be. The girl feared the blacksmiths reaction, but desired desperately any counsel she could offer. At length, the girl drew in a slow breath and began to speak, her eyes still lowered to her lap. "Hadyn, you are a beautiful, strong and confident lady. The kindness in your eyes, your smile is comforting to me and your words have my respect." She smiled looking up. "You remind me of someone I wish to be one day. May I share -in secret- something about myself, something I've told no one before?" Her head lowered again. " Im quite ashamed of it and if you wish not to spoil our drink together, I understand"

[Hadyn Skellig]

Another long drink from the mug as Shiress spoke. Alcohol would naturally calm the uncomfortable awkwardness she suffered. But surprisingly, the booze didn't do the trick. It was Shiress' response that put Hadyn at ease. With a visible relaxation in her posture, the brunette set the ale down as her companion spoke, an appreciative smile on her lips. "Ah well, perhaps Ser Michaels is not t'man for you then," she replied with a light shrug. She hardly wanted to press the issue considering her own knowledge of the man was somewhat intimate. Shiress had, at this point, become apparent in her own discomfiture. Hadyn didn't remark upon it, instead taking another drink, this time emptying her mug. When Shiress did speak again, the blacksmith offered her an encouraging smile. "You may share anythin' you please, my friend," Hadyn responded quietly. She found herself already somewhat protective of the girl and whatever she was itching to say had the brunette ready to listen. But she knew better than to dog her with questions. Instead she leaned back against the chair once more and waited. Although she was slightly curious she did not wish to pressure the girl, alerted by her body language that whatever she was preparing to share was potentially unsettling.

[Shiress]

A frown lowered the girls head further. The idea from Hadyn that Orion wasn't the right man for her hurt her heart, the fact that Orion would probably agree made it worse. The barmaid stood with a sigh and with out saying anything, she stepped behind the bar and prepared round three for the two and moved back to the table. "Just if you have a fancy for another." She said, placing the ale in front of the brunette as she slid herself back in her chair. She sat still a chime gazing down at her mug before lifting it and taking a good swallow. This was going to be difficult for the girl. Thinking about her thoughts was bad enough, but to put those thoughts to words that she would actually speak to someone, especially someone as beautiful and kind as Hadyn, would be a struggle in the least. She placed her mug to the table as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. A look of anticipation and doubt adorned her face as her eyes met with the smith's. A feeble smile creased her lips as she began. "I'll make this as short a story as I can for you." She began. "When I was 14 my family traveled to Sunberth, Im not sure why, but while there my parents left my brother and I sitting alone outside a tavern there. We were to wait for them as they met with someone inside. As we waited several men approached us, asking us to come with them, we did." Shiress leaned her back against the chair. She felt as if she was leaping into a vast blackness not knowing what she would land on. With a sigh, she began again. "They attacked us. I was taken away and for days I was beaten until I learned not to beg to go home, to keep my mouth shut." And so here Shiress had come to it. The deep breath before the plunge into darkness. Her face lifted as tears filled her eyes despite the fact she fought them back desperately. Her eyes held a gaze with Hadyn's as she drew in her breath. "I was sold to a man named Elijah Jordan as his slave." For some time her eyes lingered on the smith's, taking in her expression, then her head lowered again. "It was a life of torment , though, I fared better than most and was chosen as a personal slave, a servant if you will, to the man, but his whip had no less mercy, nor his iron." She unbuttoned the collar of her blouse and pulled it over her shoulder allowing Hadyn the displeasure of seeing the sickening slave mark below her left collarbone. Slipping her blouse back over her shoulder and in place, she began again. "There I stayed, somehow clinging to a life unbearable, unlivable. For nearly 8 years I was under Jordan's hand, nearly dieing twice, I often wished I would have." The girl came from her thoughts and pulled her mug from the table, realizing the evil from her life as a slave was not necessary to detail for the woman. As her mug returned to the table she gave Hadyn a soft smile. "I escaped, with help, in the Fall of 512 I left the torchlight of Sunberth behind me. Mostly, I followed a caravan until it broke away from the direction of Syliras and then I was alone...I think." She chuckled softly. Tucking away strands as she continued. "I have no memory to share with you, only that a Kelvic wolf aided me after I was injured, how the injury was inflicted is guessed to be by a Zith. A memory I hope never returns. The kelvic brought me close to the walls here around the city and there I was found by a squire, he then carried me to Orion." She glanced up with a smile. "That man saved my life, Hadyn. He was the only man that gave his hand to me in compassion and not to abuse me in rage, the only man that fought for my life, and not try and take it from me. He saved my life." Her head lowered again to her hands laying motionless in her lap. "and that's why I thanked him that night." She said as tears fell from her lowered face.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn quieted once more, her expression neither pitying nor overly comforting. She simply listened. She'd heard tales of slavery. None ever directly relating to anyone she knew, but she was well aware such things took place. The girl's tale was one of terrible sorrow - the likes of which Hadyn had never experience. Her mug was untouched as she gave Shiress her complete attention. Her branding certainly disgusted the blacksmith but she merely nodded in response, not wishing to distract the girl from her story. She was immensely proud of Shiress not only for what she'd been through but her ability to rebuild her life her, despite the scars. And to share her story showed the deepest trust, and Hadyn would respect that completely. But her final statement left the blacksmith frowning, though it was not an accusatory expression, more in the realm of concern. "Shiress," she began, her tone quiet. "You have lived a life of suffering and peril many will never know. And it is commendable to your spirit that you sit here before me able and willin' to tell the tale. I can't tell you I'd have the ability to continue on with such memories plaguing me. But," she hesitated, unsure of how the girl - fragile in her recollections - would take her gentle advisement. But she continued anyhow, unable to justify withholding her opinion. "I caution you on attachin' yourself to Orion Michaels. To anyone. He did save your life and you had e'ery reason under Priskil's light to thank him. I only encourage you to perhaps consider that not all who help are willin' to do more than that." It was a tough and strange lesson. Hardly one Hadyn was equipped to advise upon. But she liked the girl and felt a surge of fierce loyalty to her. And it would be wrong not to warn her of such things. Hadyn offered her a small smile. She wasn't an overly affectionate, bubbly person and as such often appeared somewhat austere in situations like these. But she pushed any discomfiture aside on her part, moving to her knees in front of Shiress. It felt awkward but she swallowed the taste, and pulled a kerchief from her pocket. Kneeling with some distance between them, she put a finger under the girl's chin to lift her face, the tears now glinting in the low light. Hadyn wiped them gently from her pretty face and again offered her a smile. "Sure 'n I'm the last person you want dryin' your tears," she quipped with a grin. "Can't hardly wipe my own mouth when I eat. But y'don't need to be weepin'. After what you've been through y'ought to be smilin' for the rest o' your life an' then some. An' you certainly don't need to be cryin' o'er some man. Petch him. Punch him in the face if I saw 'im." Hadyn gave her a wink, hoping it would lighten the mood or at least make her smile. She probably wouldn't punch Orion in the face unless he gave her good cause (which he may yet). But the thought of Shiress falling to tears after all she'd been through because some man didn't have the decency to appreciate her gratitude was unthinkable.