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

[Shiress]

As Hadyn's fingers touched the girls chin, her body winced in unfamiliar comfort. Her eyes opened slowly as the woman began to speak, her words boring a hole in Shiress' heart where she felt love for this Orion Michaels, but at the same time the blacksmiths tone comforted her. Shiress had been in the city five days shy of a full season and no one had offered their hand in comfort nor their words. Not true comfort. The barmaid fought against the urge to pull away from the woman's touch, escape her words of sympathy and retreat back into a plague of miserable thought where she felt comfortable. This felt odd, strange to Shiress, but Hadyn's gentleness made the girl yield to her, give into her compassion. As the blacksmith's cloth touched the girls face, her green eyes found the woman's brown with a gaze of confused wonder as she studied the woman's face, her expression, her gracious smile. The girls hands lifted taking the woman's and lowered them to her own lap as she began to speak. "I'm sorry my emotion got the best of me, it has been a really hard road to take." She said in a soft tone. "I try to think myself a strong person capable of taking myself above such evil and escaping it, but it's the memory of the evil I can't escape. Held slave to memory itself. How do you fight against chains you can not reach?" Still holding her eyes against the woman's, a smile broke through the tears "I feel as though I have known you for season's, Hadyn the blacksmith." She said as she leaned forward wrapping her arms around the blacksmith's slender shoulders."Your kindness is set aside from most, I thank you for that, Ms. Hadyn."

[Hadyn Skellig]

Oh gods, they were hugging. Hadyn resisted the immediate desire to stiffen as the girl's arms came around her shoulders. She wasn't expecting this reaction - though it was probably natural. The blacksmith was not overly fond of embraces. They felt claustrophobic to her and she therefore regarded them with a measure of disdain. But Shiress' response to the woman's comfort was completely understandable. Hadyn swallowed her own discomfiture and returned the affection. But after patting the girl's back the brunette pulled back, still smiling. "I s'ppose all that matters now is that you're 'ere an' safe," she stated, settling back on her heels to look up at the girl. She offered her a grin to offset the awkwardness of the hug. "You're a good lass, kind an' undeserving of the cruelty you've lived through. Y'needn't suffer alone." Hadyn smiled again, sitting up straight before standing once more, her joints stiff from resting in such a position. Dusting her trousers off, the woman returned to her seat, flopping down with a sigh. "I may not be a Knight or anythin' more than a foul-mouthed blacksmith with a chip on her shoulder, but sure an' I'm loyal. Anythin' y'need, Shiress, just ask."

[Shiress]

Despite her efforts of concealment, Shiress could sense that her hug had made the blacksmith uncomfortable. She sighed as she sat back. "I need to learn to hold my tongue as well as my affection." She said as Hadyn stood. "You are to easy to talk to my friend and Orion Michaels is to easy to love I suppose. I have a lot to learn actually and my first lesson should be emotional constraint." She lifted her mug from the table and after a descent gulp, she rested it in her lap. "I have made my mind up to never tell the doctor of my feelings for him, for his sake as well as my own. I know he doesn't feel the same about me, I mean how could he. Right? Even with his angry words that night, it would crush my heart to hear his rejection. And if a simple request for friendship caused him such anger, well, what would a declaration of love do to him?" She replaced her mug and leaned forward. She rested her arms against her legs and clasped her hands together before speaking again. "It's odd, for all the angry words he said about me, the words he spoke about himself bothers me most. As he was leaving he said -I'm not a good person, don't treat me like one- then he slammed the door behind him." She hesitated then became silent in her recollection. There was obvious pain in the doctor's past. Shiress wished she could do something, she wished she could have comforted him that night, she wished she could revisit the night with Orion and change things, but she also knew she had messed up royally. It was her fault, like everything. At length, she pulled away from memory and back to Hadyn. She sat upright again with a grin. "There is one thing I would ask of you, Ms. Hadyn." Her head tilted as she arched an eyebrow. "Don't stomp out of the tavern when I ask you for your friendship and thank you for your time with me tonight." She laughed.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn resisted the urge to snort at the thought of Orion being easy to love. The man was a self-aggrandizing twit who, for all his efforts, could not hide a deep seated animosity for emotional vulnerability or attachment. Not that the blacksmith was much different but at least she could admit to anyone interested that she was too petched up for anything more than a shag. There was nothing to hide on that score. Shifting in her seat, the woman listened to Shiress speak, a kind smile on her lips. Leaning back, the brunette wound her fingers around the arm of the mug, titling her head in concentration. While it concerned her that Shiress was so intent on excusing the soon to be Knight's behavior the blacksmith wasn't really in the right to say so. Ruminating on the man's conduct gave Hadyn an overwhelming desire to march herself down the squires' barracks, take Orion's sword and give him a good whack over the head with it. "He's got a past," Hadyn stated thoughtfully, following up quickly with: "That much is evident. Don't trouble yourself with it any. Folk like that, and I can speak from experience, aren't quick t'open up. Y'caught him at a weak moment. Vulnerable, he was. Had to assert himself as the brazen charmin' man he likely runs about tryin' to be. I wouldn't worry yourself none." She paused to smile at Shiress final comment, taking a swig of ale before responding. "Considerin' the rate with which we're pullin' these drinks I doubt I'll have the legs to wobble, much less stomp, out of here." She flashed her a sly grin as she set the mug down. "Besides, wouldn't wish to liken m'self to that halfwit Michaels."

[Shiress]

"And with that, I'll be done with the man Orion Michaels and the night's depressed state." She stated proudly, straightening her back. Her intentions were true enough, but in her heart she knew the first part of the statement would be easier said than done in the days ahead. One's demeanor is easily controlled by ones own will, but the heart has it's own will and would prove the battle. "Now, Ms. Hadyn the blacksmith." She said slapping her knee's. "Should we call it a night? The barmaid lifted herself from the chair and walked toward the bar, her body swaying slightly with mug in hand. She placed the mug down, and with a good leap, her back end met the bar top. Her feet rested on the seat of a stool as she glanced to Hadyn, her arm swiping the empty air in search of the mug. "Or will a woman as yourself show a girl like me what it means to drink." She said, the last words trailing off as her lips met the rim of her mug. "Either way, I feel I'll want trouble tonight, it's brewing in ma'bones." She drained her ale as an evil grin formed across her lips. "What say you, Hadyn blacksmith?" oocThis can be Hadyn's exit or, if you choose, we can continue and get the two into something I'll go with either.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn perked up at the mention of more drinking. Gods, she was predictable. With a wide grin, the brunette finished her mug with a hearty (if not unladylike) gulp and stood. There was no point beating the dead horse that was Orion Michaels. Shiress claimed she was done with the man but the blacksmith knew better than to take her word. Such things were never so easily settled. But the girl was right for moving ahead in her life and Hadyn had no trouble assisting her. "Trouble's my middle name," the woman quipped with a cliche wink. Joining Shiress at the bar Hadyn returned her empty mug behind the counter. Without so much as a by-your-leave the brunette vaulted atop the bar, her torso and hips flat against the surface as she reached deftly for a bottle sitting on the back frame of the wall. Successful in her quarry, the blacksmith also swiped two scotch glasses from behind the bar, all while horizontal, feet poised behind her to maintain balance. Returning herself much less gracefully to the ground, which involved some wiggling and maneuvering to avoid clanking the precious items against the hard surface, Hadyn smiled at Shiress. Pulling the cork off the bottle with her teeth, the woman set the two glasses down and poured each a healthy serving. Corking the whiskey, Hadyn set it down and raise her glass. "I must admit I've been eyein' this bottle since the moment you invited me to sit. It'll set us on t'right path for a good time, to be sure. Now then, before we head out on our drinkin' journey, 'tis best to salute the night." The brunette indicated with her glass that they might toast. Truthfully Hadyn could down the whole glass in one sitting but it was Shiress' night, not hers. Besides, the blacksmith had plans for her new-found friend.

[Shiress]

The grin curling Shiress' lips quickly spread into a wide smile as Hadyn accepted her invitation to extend their night of drinking and trouble making. Though, truth be told, the girl had absolutely no idea of trouble or the making of it, but in her world, the blacksmiths continuing company was satisfying enough, trouble was just a good word to use at the time. She watched completely entertained as Hadyn jumped across the bar and began rumbling around the opposite side. Her eyes widened at the sight of the whiskey bottle, looking a bit hesitant at it as she had never taken the chance to sample this so called -fire water- and for obvious reason. The girl remained silent as Hadyn prepared the glasses. Looking on with a bit of concern, she arched a brow as the dark amber liquor finally made it's way to the rim of what was to be her glass. With a feigned look of confidence growing across her face, she pulled the glass from the bar as she glared at the swirling liquid. The barmaid wished at this very moment that she had not taken note of the twisted faces of patrons slamming down their empty glasses against tabletops following a healthy shot of the same liquor. Gods, she had a glass full. Her eyes shifted as Hadyn spoke and still playing against her feigned confidence, she thrust her glass out. "To us and our night. A woman's night." She said proudly. Then she did it, she tilted her head back and the entire contents of the glass drained into her mouth and carved a fiery path down her throat, sinking into her gut like a flaming arrow. Her glass fell from her hands, hitting the bar with a clank on its side and rolled away. Her eyes widened and filled with tears as her mouth flew open. Both hands fanned her face desperately, hoping she would breath again. Any chime now I'll breath, right? No, she died, or so she thought herself well on the way. Her eyes darted around behind the bar for something, anything to calm the fire blazing in her chest and stomach. Finally spotting a pitcher of water, she slid her legs across the bar and hurled herself from the opposite side and pulled the pitcher to her face and many loud, desperate gulps ensued. At length and several, well deserved, yet thankful, breaths later, she turned to face Hadyn and with tears streaming down her face, she struggled to speak. "Well, that wasn't so bad as I thought it would be. How bout one more?" She said grinning.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn's eyes widened as the girl took the whole shot, her own drink halfway to her lips. It didn't seem the other was familiar with this particular alcohol, further evidenced by her reaction. The woman immediately moved to assist her, but Shiress was already lurching toward water, gulping it down to quench the burn. Putting her glass down the blacksmith joined her friend, a hand on her back, a concerned expression on her face. "Easy there," she encouraged gently as Shiress regained her breath. "Don't slam a drink you've ne'er had before, eh?" When it finally became clear the girl would be alright the brunette quirked a grin at her insistence for another. "Ah, there will be more where that came from where we're going." With that, Hadyn gave her a pat on the shoulder before picking up the offending bottle and returning where it belonged. Picking her glass up, the woman cast a sly glance at her companion. With a wink she swallowed the rest of the whiskey and placed her glass in the wash bin. Hopping the bar a final time, the blacksmith turned back to Shiress with a wide grin. "C'mon, Miss Shearsy. Night's young an' t'Spinnin' Coin awaits."

[Shiress]

Shiress curiously watched Hadyn as she drained her whiskey with a smooth gulp. With a shrug of her shoulder's, she made a playful face outside of the blacksmiths view, she could have drank her whiskey with such class had she taken her time, yes, that's what it was, she didn't take her time. "The Spinning Coin?" Repeated Shiress. The barmaid had heard tales of the Coin, but never took the time to visit the place. This was going to end up being a very interesting evening indeed. The barmaid snapped back to attention as Hadyn was already heading for the door. She quickly rumbled around beneath the bar, pulling out her coin purse and from it, she pulled out a key and headed around the bar only to hesitate when she noticed a bit of dark liquor still lingering in the bottom of her glass. Glancing up at Hadyn, the girl grabbed her glass and swung her head back, the last bit of whiskey stinging her tongue as she made sure her glass was completely empty. Forcing the liquor down, the girl placed her hand across her chest, letting out a couple of choking coughs as she stepped up behind the woman. With an innocent smile, she opened the door motioning for Hadyn to follow through with a nod of her head. She too stepped through the door, pulling it close behind her and inserting the key with a twist. After tugging against the door handle to insure the tavern was locked up, the girl turned to catch up with her friend, all worries and concerned put away for the night as the two swaggered their way to the Coin.

[Accolade]

Shiress

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+ 1 XP
Rhetoric	+ 1 XP
Storytelling	+ 2 XP
Socializing	+ 2 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Just a day on the job
•	Sharing a friendly drink
•	Learning from past mistakes
•	Girl talk: The best cure for a wounded heart

Hadyn

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+1 XP
Rhetoric	+ 1 XP
Storytelling	+ 1 XP
Socializing	+ 2 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Finding a lost ring
•	Sharing a friendly drink
•	Don't trust Orion Michaels!
•	Girl talk: Giving advice to a friend

Notes :

Good thread ladies. I really enjoyed reading this. Just make sure that you are deducting your living expenses from your ledger.

The Sylir has spoken

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.