Completed [Broken Casket] A Certain Something {Ethan}

[Hadyn Skellig]

56th of Fall
20th Bell
513 AV


"Tch, girl, that's too much!" Jill Brae cried as the barmaid set yet another mug of ale before the blonde. Hadyn and Jill's daughter, Alma, exchanged glances, smiles plastered on their lips as the older woman took a slurping sip from the overfilled mug. They'd spent most of the evening seated at the table exchanging stories, their laughter rising over the general din. Resting a hand on her belly the weaponsmith looked on as Alma sipped delicately from her own drink, icy blue eyes watching her mother.

"I'll have t'carry ye home a'this rate," Alma mused with a smirk as she set the mug down. Folding her hands in her lap the thin young woman couldn't hide the smile that flashed her white slightly uneven teeth. She was a pretty thing, sharing the slender build of her mother with a sharp gaze and fine bone structure. Both women resembled birds, though Jill was decidedly more predatory in her fierce angles and hollowed cheeks, whereas Alma appeared more like a fragile bluebird. Her blush colored gown, homespun as it was, accentuated her aerial figure, fastened with a beige ribbon at her waist. It seemed the young woman preferred more feminine attire than was permitted while on the road. She'd certainly indulged in a few choice items while in the city, wearing them at every opportunity. Her hair was equally lovely this night, plaited and coiled about her head in a fashionable manner. But she wasn't just satisfied trussing herself up - not by far.

"Would you stop picking at that?" her timorous voice was surprisingly sharp as she swatted Hadyn's hand from where it attempted to loosen the satiny ribbon tied about her elbow.

"I don't know why y'bother having fasteners on the sleeves. It's not like the material's goin' anywhere," Hadyn grumbled as she relented with a frown. Alma had dressed her this evening in a grey gown complete with a dipping neckline and voluminous skirt. Compared the attire sported by most Sylirian women it was modest but for Hadyn it was both lavish and a damn nuisance with ribbons lacing through the hem of the sleeves, neckline and waist, accentuating her pregnancy. Despite feeling like a stuffed turkey she had to admit it was a beautiful gown, the material much softer than anything she owned.

"It's for 'sthetic value," Alma informed her crisply as she readjusted the slate colored ribbon where it threaded through the sleeve's material. She reached forward again to quickly grasp her cousin's hand as it sought to adjust the dark waves of hair that had been dutifully brushed and styled. "It took me half a bell t'get the knots outta your hair, Hadyn. Don't go messin' with it now!"

"I look like a petchin' doll, Alma."

"Oh come on, lass. Ye look fair 'nough t'be a doll. Though... don't 'magine I've seen a pregnant doll afore," Jill remarked with a smirk before chuckling to herself. The woman was rather inebriated, already on her fourth mug of ale. While the other two had previously enjoyed the blonde's drunk antics Hadyn suddenly felt uncomfortable with the comment and amused gazes the statement afforded her. This was not going to die a quiet death.

"A doll in t'likeness of Haddie! Wouldn't that be a lark," Alma replied with an airy giggle as she rearranged a dark curl over Hadyn's shoulder. Ignoring their kinswoman's uneasy expression the Brae woman snickered again as she took another sip. "Though they wouldn't sell without one o' her trademark scowls."

"Aye! An' her foul language. Petch this, petch that. I need a petchin' drink, I do. Bring me a lad to petch!"

"Yes! An' she'd have to have her wee hammer an' a pair o' ugly trousers too! Could you imagine?" the younger woman crowed as her mother slumped back into her chair in a fit of laughter. Hadyn knew she was doing nothing to improve her image by sitting there silently, a glower on her full lips as she rolled her eyes. This was digressing quickly.

"No decent mother'd buy that doll for her lil' girl. It'd be too crass, 'specially with the baby bump."

"An ye'd have to buy the fadder separately!"

"Mercy, I cannay breathe!"

"Are you finished yet?"

"Oh Haddie, love, it's just," Jill wheezed in a breath as she struggled to push the sentence out. "We're just havin' a bit o' fun. Won't you laugh 'bout it?"

"You're both assholes."

As much as she wanted to reproach them for their teasing the thought of a doll in her likeness managed to pull a smile from the weaponsmith. It was, after all, a ridiculous image. After a moment of struggling to maintain an annoyed visage the woman relented, chuckling as well, shaking her head with defeat. It felt strange to laugh and enjoy herself - something she hadn't done in quite some time. As obnoxious as they were her cousins were doing a wonderful job of entertaining her, even if was at her own expense.

"Well I hope you're enjoyin' yourself. 'Specially considerin' you're the one who gussied me up like a petchin' debutante. Suppose this was your intention all along."

"That an' t'make you presentable t'the bachelors of Syliras - if there be any left," Alma replied coolly as she hid a catty smile over the rim of her glass.

"Aye, between the two of us I think we've petched 'em all," Hadyn replied with a smirk. Alma grinned before glancing at her mother who was resting her chin in the palm of one hand. Her blonde hair hung across her face as she smiled into the empty space. Casting a look to Hadyn the younger woman raised her thin brows.

"I think the ol' lady's due for a mattress soon."

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan stood in the pit with Lucas sweat coming down his brow as Lucas swung his sword in a body cross wise swing. Ethan brought up his blade and parried the blow. Ethan had been practicing with the Spatha and Lucas edge caught the unbladed tongue of the sword as he quickly twisted the blade to catch it on the hilt. Lucas may have been an old mercenary but his years of practice was quickly putting Ethan’s younger stronger frame to the test. The sound of steel sliding across steel sprung across the pit and instead of waiting for blade to stop and catch on the hilt of the blade Ethan went ahead into his counter stroke. Ethan diverted Lucas strength downward lessening the required force that he needed to keep the blade under control. Lucas’ blade went downward and Ethan side step to become off center to the blade natural backswing. Lucas had taught him that by requiring the other person to do more work on their sword strokes, then a prolonged duel would be won in your favor. Of course, Lucas had also taught that the only way to fight was to fight dirty. As soon as, Lucas’ bladed touched the ground, Lucas twisted and kicked up a bunch of dirt towards Ethan’s face. The first few times, Ethan had watched the blade and fallen for Lucas’ trick. Now he was learning that on the counterstroke to watch Lucas’ arms and shoulders for the roll back upward. The dust floated upward as Ethan backed away to avoid the dirt and dust. It stopped his counterstrike from performing an upward slash that would have had Lucas step back in order to avoid it. Ethan and Lucas circled each other waiting for the one or the other to lose patience or see an opportunity to strike. “Well son, how about the Stallion for dinner?” Ethan waited for a moment as he side stepped and check his direction with his peripheral vision. “Nah, how about the Casket, I could use some spiced potatoes, beside the last time we went to the Stallion, you were slapped three times by two different barmaids.” It was then that Ethan’s foot stepped into a small depression. The uneven ground forced Ethan to be light on his feet and quickly adjust his stance. Lucas had often taken advantage of the pits unraked yard to catch Ethan slightly off balance and press his awkward cross stances. Lucas, however nodded at the cross shuffle of feet that Ethan did. “I see that you are learning, I will have to dig up some other tricks to get ya, and besides that was just a little byplay. They were warming up to me, see the secret is that they act all offensive and tell the other barmaid’s about my suggestions, then one gets curious.” Lucas then pitched his voice up in a girly like tone, “Oh I have never done that, I wonder what else the old man can teach me.” Ethan shook his head and chuckled, as soon as he did Lucas quickly pressed forward and struck him in the chest with a hard dull blade. “Petch!” Ethan shouted as the blow hit. “Seems like this old man can still get past your defenses Ethan, that’s dinner on you son.” Ethan stood there rubbing his chest for a moment as Lucas gave him a Shyke eating grin. Ethan ended up laughing, the old man was nothing if not a pain, but at least he was only a pain when he needed to be. “Alright, let me run a few laps about the pit and wash off the sweat. That way you can rest you, old fool.” Lucas laughed as he put the weapons back on the rack, calling out to Ethan as he started his jog around the pit he said, “Call me what you want, you still owe me dinner.” Ethan took off shaking his head thinking about at least if Lucas started slapping the backside of barmaids, the Casket lasses would grab a handful of their own. Ethan finished his run and went over to the rain barrel to wash off the dirt and sweat from the day of training. Ethan hair would stay slicked back as he grabbed a heavy shirt to put over his frame. As was customary, Ethan and Lucas talked about the fight and what he did well and what he did wrong. Lucas being the old fool that he was, told Ethan of past fights on the road and in different cities about how Ethan’s mistakes could cost him his life or limb. Ethan was amused by the tales of that Lucas spun and in no time they stepped up to the Casket. As they entered the Ethan smelled the scent of the Suvan Sea as it differed up from the docks. The air in the tavern was slightly hazy as smoke from pipes and candles drifted upward, and the barmaids danced about carrying platters of spiced potatoes and mugs of ale. The roar of the crowd was light even with a few sailors singing sea chanties in the background. Ethan had always loved the Casket more than the Stallion if for no other reason that the ale was cheap and that tales told by sailors were embellished as the night wore on. The Casket was a port in a storm, and the way the Kraken ran the tavern was that if the storm blew in with the sailor then they were welcome to blow back out, and in the Casket, Kraken was a Demigod of Laviku, on his word alone crews parted the very room and Captains came to heel. Ethan told Lucas to find them a table while he placed an order for dinner and plate of spiced potatoes. Ethan nodded with respect to the Kraken, as the man seemed to be pouring warm mugs of ale from a large cask. Smiling, he nodded as Ethan gave him the hand signals for two plates of dinner, two mugs of ale, and plate of potatoes. The old sailor came by with two mugs filled brown slightly greased ale, and handed it to Ethan. Ethan paid for the dinner and drinks up front, but told the tavern owner that Lucas and him would run a tab on drinks. The Kraken was always more happy to see a man pay most of his bill up front and drinks at the end. As Ethan turned around he looked about the tavern for Lucas and saw the old man heading over to a table of three well very nicely dressed women. The old mercenary walked over to Hadyn’s table with a grin that was half way between wolf and mirth. His eyes locked on Jill and he spoke in a low gravel of a voice. “Well hello ladies, may I offer protection for all of you from such rough company? My friend and I would deem it as an honor to persuade such young men from the opportunity of taking advantage of you ladies.” Lucas gestured over to Ethan as Ethan made his way through the crowd. Unlike the barmaid Ethan had to remain focus on not slipping the drinks as he made his way through the crowd. He kept his eyes focused mainly around him, and Ethan merely spared a glance at Lucas to make sure that he moved. The thought of having to apologize this early in the evening to women made Ethan wince at the long night ahead of him. At least if he was lucky, he would look like a man with manners and maybe garner a little bit of respect and interest from one of the women.

[Hadyn Skellig]

The women's attention was soon turned to a roguish gentleman approaching them, his gaze settled on Jill. For her part the woman was staring pointedly at her mug, still coming down from a previous fit of giggles - unaware that she was the center of his attention. Alma and Hadyn shared a glance as the man said his piece, decidedly unmoved by his assumed chivalry. He was familiar to Hadyn but nothing beyond a passerby in the crowd or a face in the tavern. Alma offered him a thin lipped smile, casting a look to her mother as she watched the man over the rim of her mug.

"An' what if we invite rough company?" the young woman replied with a smirk. Hadyn rolled her eyes, attention garnered by the companion of the man coming up behind him with drinks. Recognition registered as she stared for but a tick before a tooth-bearing smile pulled the corners of her lips.

"Ethan," she greeted him warmly, tone inviting. Her slight change in demeanor elicited a glance from Jill who removed herself from the momentary stupor to look at the man to whom her cousin referred. Dark eyes previously heavy in inebriation became sharp once more, assessing the younger man behind their sudden guest. To Lucas the merest dip of the blonde's head was offered as she peered around his frame to see Ethan.

"Who's your smooth talkin' friend, Ironhorse?"

The woman's brown eyes regarded the blacksmith from where she sat, neither moved to stand and embrace him nor to wilt in his presence. There were empty chairs near Alma's seat, the weaponsmith's gaze flicking to their vacancies - an unspoken invitation for them to join the ladies.

Jill's curious if not overly interested glare caught Hadyn before she returned to look at Ethan. An expectant eyebrow rose a bit higher as the brunette gave a nondescript single shake of her head. A physical negative to the unasked question lingering in the older woman's face. This was not the father of her child. The last thing Hadyn wanted was for Jill to make a scene, drunk as she was. Alma, on the other hand, was studying Ethan with an approving eye.

As they waited for the men to take their seats and regale the other two with their identities Hadyn attempted to reconcile with the parting she and Ethan had earlier. It was so often that her emotions, untethered as they were, had her doing and saying things entirely anomalous to her personality. They hadn't seen each other since he'd brought the crib to her home, his kindness making her feel uneasy yet appreciative. He confused and frustrated her with his patient steady manner. She couldn't figure out what he wanted and less what she was able to give him.

Absently smoothing her hand over the grey material across her belly the woman realized it was perhaps fortunate they were in a social setting. The threat of her cousins saying something embarrassing was a comfort to the thought of having to speak to the man alone. She welcomed the teasing and easy banter that came with their location. And that Ethan brought a friend, even better. He wouldn't be forced to sit there and try to decipher her emotions - most of which she could barely elucidate

If Hadyn were forced to say anything about her thoughts on Ethan it would be that she felt entirely unworthy of him. As Liam used to say she was like the weather, thunder one moment and a cloudless day the next. There was no holding her together and she confounded and angered anyone attempting to understand her. In the past she'd proudly used this attribute to avoid anything lasting. Anything with the potential to leave her vulnerable and hurt. But now she had no choice. It was sink or swim with a baby on the way.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Lucas looked down at Alma with her comment. The older mercenary had dealt with thieves and monsters on the road, talking to women no longer scared the man any more. So his experience and fearlessness wove it way into his confidence and all he could do was smile. “Well my pretty, if rough company is what you desire let me first put forth my friend and myself before you consider any others.” Lucas was not a man to be discouraged for a quarry. As he looked at Hadyn he recognized the surprise look on her face as she was looking at Ethan. For a moment Lucas’ eyes squeezed in concentration of his thoughts, crows feet become apparent on his face. Ethan had been friendly, but had never really talked about his love life with his sparring partner. In addition, though they had spent several meals together Lucas realized that he had assume Ethan was single. Yet the warm greeting that met the Ethan showed that the man certain had a lady friend, now the question was if child she was carrying had an Ironhorse name. As Ethan pulled up to the table, he stopped for a moment to look at Hadyn. It had been such a long time since he had seen her in a dress with done up hair. In fact, thinking back it wasn’t really since her parents died that Ethan had even seen her in a dress. For a moment, Ethan felt like he had been struck by a horse, slightly light headed and perhaps floating. She looked so… pretty in her dress and her hair brushed to a nice shine. For a moment Ethan felt just a wave of emotion hit him, and then some sort of mental shock wore off and a mask of pleasantness came down. Ethan wore a warm smile, and with a nod of his head, he spoke, “Hello Hadyn, you look… beautiful tonight. Hopefully, Lucas hasn’t cause you ladies a start, I swear as an old caravan mercenary, he no longer has any fear. However, I can’t fault his skill with a blade or fist, and I have learned quite a bit from training with him.” Lucas smiled at the praise, seeing that if nothing else Ethan was a good team man to have. Ethan saw the invitation to join them, and then looked at Lucas in concerned. The man was liable to get aggressive with the ladies, and he knew that he wouldn’t stand for it with Hadyn. There was a soft byplay of looks; Lucas nodded slightly to signal Ethan that they should join them. Ethan gave the man a hard stare warning Lucas about his usual mouth and manner. Lucas countered with a soft downward motion of his hand signalling Ethan that he would keep himself in control. Ethan gave Lucas a nod signalling him that he accepted his friend honourable conduct. For a moment Ethan looked down at the chairs and initially thought of sitting next to Hadyn. Yet he realized that it would lead to more thoughts and moments of wanting to touch her. So he choose the seat closer to Alma to hopefully try and keep the distance that Hadyn wanted. Smiling at Alma, he spoke, “Pardon me, Hadyn hasn’t told me that she knew such a lovely lady.” By the Gods and Goddesses it felt stressed and awkward talking to another woman in front of Hadyn. She certainly was a lovely woman, but she just couldn’t compare to Hadyn and Ethan felt the urge to turn his head slightly and look at Hadyn. Lucas noticed the seat that had been left open to him, and went over to it to grab his mug. But instead of playing Ethan game with his friend… possibly his child’s mother he grabbed the chair and made his way over to between Jill and Hadyn. Looking down at Jill he smiled and instead of a grin or come here look, he smiled like an impish child and spoke softly to her. “Listen, I promise to behave, but I want to watch them both, this little dance they are doing is going to be good, and I don’t want to be caught in between it.”Lucas waited for Jill response, drunk or not, Lucas was as good as his word. Besides if he had taught Ethan anything, it was that sometimes shielding one self from a blow, stopped you from seeing the next attack.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn raised her gaze to Lucas, eyebrow arching when he countered Alma's comment with a saucy retort. None of the women were particularly demure or uncomfortable in the presence of rowdy men, the ambiance of the table remaining jovial. Alma returned Lucas' offer with a simple cant of her head, a smirk on her thin lips.

The brunette turned her attention the Ethan as he spoke, apologizing for his bawdy companion. Hadyn held up a hand, shaking her head with a smile, indicating he need not feel contrite. His compliment received a careful duck of her head, her gaze settling on him as she prepared to respond, though Alma beat her to it.

"Y'all're most welcome to our table," she replied with a coy glance at Ethan. "Though I suspect I'll be an extra wheel on dis wagon, cha?"

"No, no," Hadyn reached a hand across the table to rest on Alma's arm, brown eyes mischievous. "Y'can't leave. You make all the bad decisions I would if y'weren't here!"

Alma chuckled as Hadyn removed her hand to sit upright again. The young woman twinned a tawny strand of hair around one delicate finger, her gaze resting on Ethan. She was assessing him thoroughly, eyes moving across his fit frame to the fine bone structure of his face. Seeing as Hadyn laid no claim on him she smiled and tilted her head toward him. His statement garnered him an approving nod from the young woman.

"She's not got a head for niceties, Haddie's doesn't. Alma Brae," she announced, offering a slim hand to him. Heather grey eyes watched him with interest and anticipation. "Haddie's cousin, twice?" she glanced over her shoulder at the woman who shrugged.

"Three times, as it were," Jill piped up with a grin.

"Yes, three times o'er." Alma returned her attention to Ethan with another smile. "Ethan, was it?"

While the two made their introductions Jill occupied herself by studying Lucas as he joined her. His comment had received an agreeable nod as she pulled the mug close to her, as if to protect from a fellow drunk. Her dark eyes continuously jumped to Hadyn but she offered the man a simpering grin before speaking directly to him.

"I 'joy a show with m'drink too," she replied with a glance to Alma and Ethan.

Hadyn, meanwhile, took this distraction of her cousins' attention to fiddle with the blasted bow tied around her forearm. Picking at the grey ribbon she finally undid the knot, releasing the pressure on her skin. A shallow welt made itself known as she rubbed her arm, a frown on her lips. Pretty as the dress may've been it wasn't worth the uncomfortable ties and neckline that put her breasts on display. Leaning back against the chair she linked her hands beneath the swell of her belly, a smile on her lips as she looked to Jill. The older woman was sneaking glances at Lucas as she sipped on her ale, as inconspicuous as a tree in the grasses.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan smiled with genuine warmth as Alma introduced herself. His left cheek slightly raised upward more than his right, as his eyes went to Alma’s finger which was adding curls to her hair. Ethan knew the subtle signs of a woman that wanted to be courted and for a moment he looked into her eyes, the animal instinct within him wanted to take the woman to bed. However, his heart slightly turned his mood, Hadyn was present and though Alma looked good enough to eat, he wanted Hadyn. “Well Miss Alma Brae, Hadyn’s thrice cousin, it is a pleasure to meet you. You are correct, I am Ethan Ironhorse.” Ethan took her hand and feeling like he almost had to over compensate to make Hadyn jealous or break himself of his feelings for her. Slowly he brought up Alma delicate hand, to plant a light kiss on her knuckles, it wasn’t anything more than a gentleman showing interest in a lady, but Ethan wanted to test the waters of physical contact with Alma. Since the evening with Hadyn, Ethan hadn’t really tried to find another woman to be with or take his affection away from her. He had wanted to develop the relationship with Hadyn first to determine if there was anything there, but then a whirlwind of things happened. Hadyn becoming pregnant, Ethan learning magic and sword training, learning Orion was the father. Ethan was certain given time and closeness with Hadyn, he would eventually learn who she was on the inside. However, it seemed like the Gods and Goddesses conspire against them having a relationship… no, that wasn’t quite right, Hadyn made sure to block attempts that Ethan made towards building a bond. As his lips lightly left off of Alma’s hand, an image of holding Hadyn in his lap next to a fireplace came to mind. She had a few wrinkles across her, some grey in her hair but as Ethan held her in his lap her head rested on his. It was that moment of pure intimacy that he craved holding one another as you grew old, and though the image brought him a warm feeling to his soul, he couldn’t help believe that Hadyn would push away anyone who cared for her. Though Ethan’s daydream took a moment, Lucas had plans of his own. The older man smiled as he took a draft off of his mug, Lucas saw the countermove that Ethan was making. Lucas knew Ethan had manners and that he was a gentle lad, but he needed to find out what Ethan wanted to fight for. Sometimes the realization that you had something to lose would make a man more cautious then foolish, but knowing that if you lost your life and that others would feel that impact could lift a man up to fight like a wild cat. So Lucas waited till Ethan lowered his hand and spoke, “So how you two know each other, Ethan?” Lucas pointed to Hadyn then Ethan. Ethan moved his head back to Lucas and then looked at Hadyn. For a moment her dress and hair sucked the air out of him again. By Cheva, why do I ache this much? It was a quiet thought that brought the feeling of wanting to embrace her and smell her clean and brushed hair. His vision went over her bust line and though Ethan always enjoyed seeing more of Hadyn’s flesh, his eyes caught the looseness of one sleeve. It had come undone and break in his examination of Hadyn was enough for him to catch his breath. “Well, Hadyn’s father and mine got into a drunken disagreement one night. The next morning, our mothers decided to make peace and I met Hadyn’s brother Brody. We became thick as thieves, and we just all grew up together. When Hadyn told me about her baby, I couldn’t be happier. I even had a crib made for them. “ As soon as Ethan said it, he knew it was the wrong thing. It had meant to be a gift for Hadyn, not something to hold over her and say to others that he should be a father and lover of the woman. True, Ethan had wanted Hadyn to recognize him as something more than a friend… something important to her, but why had he boosted about it, he didn’t know Lucas’ eye brow rose up at the mention of the crib. He had known many men who had been trapped by a new born child and the lady that carried it. None had gone out and gotten a crib for them, unless forced to. No, something was going on that Lucas couldn’t quite point out. Ethan was acting like Hadyn and him were nothing, flirting with Alma. However, his action in getting a crib for Hadyn’s child meant that he thought of this as his family. It was the only thing that Lucas understood, for the few times that he had seen men make or buy cribs were for women and family’s that they loved. Then it clicked in Lucas’ mind, Ethan was either in love with Hadyn or at least the idea of her and her family. Lucas brought the drink up to his lips and took a large draft. Though the taste was off, it certainly was better with a small victory that Lucas had seen. Ethan spared a look at Hadyn fearful of how she would react. Shaking his head of his doubts, he went back to Alma. “Anyway, what about you Alma? I don’t remember many third cousins in Hadyn’s life. What has she been hiding such a flower?”

[Hadyn Skellig]

Alma basked in the attention Ethan so readily showered upon her, a coy smile playing on her thin rouged lips. She listened through his story explaining his connection to Hadyn but she couldn't be asked to repeat it. Instead she was admiring the fine lines of his face, the closeness of his body and the warmth of his kiss on her skin. Her smile broadened when he unabashedly flattered her.

"Oh we was off in Ravoc for the longest time," she informed him, pulling the glass close to her as she spoke. "I'm few seasons Haddie's younger. Don't 'magine we would've crossed paths. A pity." She leveled grey eyes with him with a suggestive curve of her lips.

"Careful, Ethan," the brunette interjected with an affectionate glare at her cousin. "She's been known to rope men in then leave 'em with their pants 'round their ankles."

"Pfft. T'was only once," the young lady replied with mock indignance, dismissing Hadyn's warning. Turning her attention to the man once more she offered a more benign grin. "'Sides. I don't fancy gettin' twixt my cousin an' her men. She's right fierce."

Hadyn was distracted catching the passing barmaid to hear the tail-end of Alma's comment. With an apologetic smile to the Casket's employee the woman explained a severely obnoxious desire for spiced potatoes and inquired for another plate. With a smirk the girl nodded and departed. Hadyn glanced around the table with a blush creeping up her neck.

"I have these damn cravin's," she explained with a glance to Jill.

"You're lucky," the blonde woman replied glumly. "I was wantin' of all kinds of exotic fares when I was with child." With a grin to Lucas she perked up, flashing him a wink. "Thankfully now that I'm past them years I can 'joy life an' all it has to offer."

Hadyn looked at Ethan with a smile, offhandedly wondering if he caught Jill's meaning. She was just as much of a flirt as her daughter, though there were no pretenses to be had. Draping one arm over the back of her chair the brunette watched the man in the low light. Why shouldn't she let Alma have her chance with him? she certainly could lay no claim to him whether she wanted to or not. As it was Alma was doing a nice enough job.

"Ethan has quite the aspirations," Hadyn informed her kinswomen, her tone bordering on proud as she watched him from across the table.

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Lucas leaned in Jill after her flirt about being able to enjoy life. Smiling and giving her an eye of boyish rouge charm, Lucas whispered to her, “Well my dear, that’s the best part of surviving youth, you have the wisdom to enjoy life and the experience to do it right.” Lucas hinted that he had the experience to make sure that Jill would curl her toes more than once in his presence. “Of course, since I have been seasoned rather well, I have realize that I need to slip off to bed earlier and earlier these days.” Lucas raised an eyebrow slightly upward at his roguish response. He saw the opportunity and decided to go for it, beside he had promised to behave, but when Jill offered a flirt of her own, well he was known to raise to any challenge. As Ethan was about to say more, the dinner that he had paid for arrived by another barmaid. Two bowls of pulled mutton, baked honey glazed apples and chopped stewed vegetables in a heavy white gravy came. Small ale beard loaves were placed next to each plate and then another waitress brought out a large platter of Spice potatoes. The platter had been meant as something for Lucas and Ethan to nosh on as the night wore on, so as the barmaid placed the large serving dish in the middle of the table, bay spices along with butter, and a bit of garlic sauce threatened to slip out on to the table. Flakes of bacon and ham floated with a small finger size potatoes. Ethan enjoyed the dish as it cooled down, the spices and sauce would slowly soak up in the starch of the potatoes, while the stale beard that the Kraken placed as the edges would become soft again in the juices allowing the fatter meats at the bottom to be served on the bread. Ethan had to admire the Kraken for such an ingenious meal, the potatoes were splice with a hot garlic sauce and were meant to be eaten slowly while the beard soaked up the extra sauce. Once down the soften spiced bread could be cut with a fork and served with the fatty ham streaks at the bottom. Ethan looked over to Hadyn and smiled, “Hadyn, please have my portion and I will wait for your plate. Besides the platter was meant to be shared and I have a lovely meal and conversation ahead of me.” Ethan smiled at Alma. Ethan looked at Alma for a moment, and in a real moment he realized that she was pretty and perhaps not just an excuse to make Hadyn jealous. After all, Hadyn had pushed him away several times, and Alma had made reference to Hadyn claiming him and Hadyn had simply ignored it. So Ethan thought about it for a moment and thought why not go for Alma. Actually, give her a chance and see if she was interested in something more than one night and if not then Ethan didn’t have to say he was sorry to Hadyn or anyone else. Ethan smiled for a moment, “Aye, I have some aspirations about traveling to Zeltiva and looking up several subjects in there library. You see Alma, I have been practicing the blade with Lucas and want to make sure I can handle myself on the trip to the city. Originally, I was a simple farrier, working on horses in the fields and even journey to some of Syliras outposts to tend to the Knights steeds, but lately I have been thinking I want more for myself and perhaps my future family should I ever meet the right girl. So I have done some extra work around the Ironworks and am trying to improve my experience and knowledge in the craft of smithing. Ros has made some great strides in metalsmithing here in Syliras, I can’t even explain the techniques used to smelt weapon grade steel. However, that is the first step in a process to regain our knowledge. The Empire had tools and weapons that we can’t even think of anymore, I was hoping that in some of my research at the library of Zeltiva, I could find some of reference material that talked about the elite weapons of the Empire. I know that most of them were magically enhanced, but they were also started from the pinnacle of smithing as well. Knowing how to make that type of steel would help weaponsmiths and would certainly bring money to the person who knows it.” “However, let’s get back to you Alma,” Ethan reached out and gently held her hand. Moving it with softness and a tender he opened her palm. Ethan’s fingers did a light dance across her hand feeling the softness and calluses. I thoughtful, hmmmmm, escaped his mouth as he looked down. “Well Alma, I can see that you don’t have calluses around the ends of your fingers on your palm meaning that weapons or hammers from smithing isn’t something you do. I see that the forefinger and thumb has a calluses on your right hand, couple with some ink stains under the fingernails… you tend to do a bit of writing. From the callus around the webbing of your thumb, hmmmm maybe from holding the reins of a wagon or horse.” Ethan lightly played over Alma calluses as he thought for a moment, “Well since your from Ravok, I am going to guess a merchant?” Ethan allowed his hand to pick up a fork and spear some of the mutton, taking a small bite so that he could chew lightly and swallow, before continuing there converstation.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Alma eyed the man as he talked, her birdlike features sharpened in the candlelight. Like Hadyn she had an assessing gaze, one that never quite exposed her opinion but remained forever appraising of value. The sides of her lips curved upward in a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She was evaluating Ethan but there was no indication she was game. His touch on her hand indicated he was willing to do the dance though the young woman neither encouraged nor deterred him.

"A teller of fortunes," she corrected him. Leaning back against her chair she swiveled her gaze to her cousin, who was appreciatively enjoying the potatoes Ethan offered, her attention on Jill and Lucas. After a chime Alma looked at Ethan, leaning near to him as if to tell him a secret, her voice but a whisper. "Y'tryin' to turn Haddie there all green with envy, are ye? well she's not one for it. I see you're doe-eyed on her an' she's fairly keen on ye. Stop triflin' with me in front of her. It endears ye to no one."

Alma sat up straight, pulling away from the man as she finished off her drink, a practiced smile on her lips. It was a reproach spoken with an airiness unfitting of the topic but the blonde was fairly certain she'd made her point. Any other night she'd take the handsome man to bed but for all his glances to Hadyn and compliments he was turning his intentions to Alma. It hardly seemed right. Turning to her cousin as if nothing had transpired but flirting between herself and Ethan the young woman laughed.

"Gods among us, y'full yet?"

"Couldn't stop if I tried," the brunette replied between chewing, bringing a hand to her mouth to shield their eyes. Raising her gaze to Ethan the weaponsmith smiled. His interaction with Alma hadn't seemed to concern her much, her expression amiable. "Suppose y'didn't know what you were gettin' into when you offered to give me this. I've eaten damn near the whole plate, 'fraid to say."

"Keep eatin'," came Jill's slurred admonishment. "Y'haven't gained nearly 'nough weight to deliver a healthy babe. Look at ye! Still slender as a saplin'." Turning her intoxicated gaze to Lucas her narrow features pulled into a coy if not overly obvious smile. "Youngin's these days, eh? an' you with your silver tongue," she pointed an accusing finger at Lucas. "Y'teachin' the ways to this boyo I see," sharp gaze flicking to Ethan. "Smoother than a Dhani in the grasses I reckon. Lookit him butterin' my daughter up. A regular charmer that one. And Hadyn Ielis Skellig stop makin' that face at me!"

A mocking expression froze on the weaponsmith face before she raised her hands in supplication, a smile slinking across her lips as she glanced around the table. Looking to Ethan and weaponsmith grinned apologetically.

"She don't like no one but herself teasin' folk," she explained as Jill huffed loudly, rolling her eyes and shaking her head.

Alma laughed before setting her hands on the table. Jill was drunker than she should've been and her surreptitious glances to Lucas were heavily influenced by the booze she'd imbibed. With a shake of her head the young woman settled her grey gaze on Ethan.

"I'll not stick around to see what this rabble turns into," she waved a hand between Jill and Lucas before catching Ethan with a wink. "Got a carpenter waitin' half a bell for me for already."

[Ethan Ironhorse]

Ethan’s smile for Alma wavered a moment when she whispered to him. A little bit of pain showed in his eyes and since she was still close to him, he whispered back. “Aye, maybe that’s how it started, but I may want to be with her, she has turned me away everytime I try to see behind that damn mask and get to know her… she...” Ethan choked back an exhausted sound. As if just trying to actually talk with Hadyn was like hitting a stone wall over and over again. “Still, it may have started as making her envy to get a reaction, but I am beginning to feel like I should find someone else, and you are very pretty that I didn’t lie about. So my apologizes for this clumsy attempt to get something from Hadyn, you both deserve better.” Ethan placed his other hand on top of Alma and gave it a soft embrace as an apology. Ethan had whispered his confession to Alma in hopes of… help, comfort, genuine desire to be understood. Of all those things Ethan wasn’t sure that Hadyn even recognized Ethan doe eyed look, nor did she care to see him. Sometimes, Ethan just wanted to hear the words, ‘Ethan, don’t leave me’ from Hadyn. Yet that would require Hadyn admitting she had feeling about Ethan, and if anything Ethan knew that would scare her more than facing down death. Ethan released Alma’s hand as she went back to a smile and a look as if nothing had happened between the two of them. Ethan smiled and felt slightly relieved that Alma was good enough person to make sure that Ethan wasn’t exposed raw in front of Hadyn. Turning back to Hadyn, he saw here as close to shoveling the spiced potatoes into her mouth as possible… and somehow it made Ethan smile. Why it seemed so endearing to Ethan, as Hadyn not caring about decency or feminine allure ate not just his share of the plate, but a part of Lucas as well. Heaving a sigh, he picked up his plate that was partially eaten and set it in front of Hadyn. Smiling as Ethan’s plate found its place infront of Hadyn, he spoke, “No, I don’t suppose I did.” Why did he feel like he needed to take care of her? She was a grown woman and had been taking care of herself long before he came back into her life. Yet looking at her, he was more worried about her and her child then anything that could happen to him. As Jill decided to voice her opinion about Hadyn figure, Lucas looked over to Ethan and gave him a curious look. The old man had been trying to charm the dress off of Jill, but he also knew had seen the side conversation between Alma and Ethan. It was then that Jill turned an accusing eye to Lucas and all he could do was smile his roguish smile, as she slowly calmed down. “Now my dear, a silver tongue is just a tool to be applied at the right time. Ethan here is perhaps one of the most honest and hardworking young men that I know, and any lass that lays claim to him will find the very core of goodness. So I have to teach him to be a bit of a rogue before he has babes under foot. Besides, its my experience that women tend to like to try and tame a rogue.” Lucas pique his eyebrows a bit as if to give Jill her own challenge. He needed to divert her attention away from her daughter and focus on bedding each other. Lucas looked at Alma as she waved in between the two of them. With a bit of a laugh Lucas, gave Alma a look that said her mother would be in good hands. Now it was up to her mother to determine what those hands would do. Ethan laughed at Hadyn face and for a moment he was at ease, as Jill made her announcement, about leaving he bowed his head. “Well the carpenter is a lucky man, take care Alma it was pleasure meeting you, and I will make sure that your mother is looked after.” Ethan smiled, one of a man that was intent on doing the right and honorable thing, besides of Lucas could always find another lass to charm. Ethan turned to Hadyn and waited for her to say goodbye to Alma before finally asking her a question, “Haven’t seen you in a while…” The ache in his voice was slight even though it felt like an open chasm in him. “Was wondering how you and the babe are doing? Do you need anything?”