Completed [Stone Garden] Sleeping Stones {Shiress}

[Hadyn Skellig]

"No," Hadyn answered with a concerned knitting of her brows. "I haven't. Always assumed, whatever his problems, he deserves a chance. Just as much as I do." After a moment of silence the woman reached over and took her friend's hand, tentative at first but squeezing it reassuringly.

"Thank you for sharin' that with me," she remarked with a smile. "I'll remember your words when I think on the baby. I am... I'm sorry, Shiress. For whatever became of Niya."

The woman took a breath, ruminating on the girl's earlier wisdom. She thought it was a prudent idea to talk to Orion. The thought made her bristle internally but she nodded more to herself than Shiress. She was right. Hadyn needed to keep moving forward. Although it seemed like the obvious path somehow hearing it spoken kicked the woman out of her rut. With a more definitive nod she glanced at Shiress.

"Move forward. I'll do that." Hadyn smiled as she looked down at their hands. "I'm goin' to have to learn how to be more open. Best keep on me 'bout that, Shiress."

[Shiress]

Shiress covered Hadyn's hand with hers and smiled. "Nya is safe, I pray." She said. "She is safe in my heart at least. Anyway, that is a story for another time." She added releasing the woman's hand and sitting back. "You are a patient woman, Hadyn, or at least, you've been so with me." She smiled. "Give Orion all the patients you can muster. There's something good in him that brought him to care for others as a doctor and to protect others as a rising knight. His heart is good, kind, something is there anyway, and if you can't bring it out, settle for what he offers and wait for him to find the good within himself. This little baby is in no way a burden, but a blessing. It took time for you to feel this, it'll take time for him to feel it also."

Shiress rested her arm on the back of the bench and leaned her head against the knuckles of her fist, her mind wandering away as her eyes studied her friend. The girl could go on and on guessing about the father of her friends baby. What he might say, what he wouldn't, what he might do, what he probably wouldn't do. She could guess at who the man really was versus what she thought he was. It was all a guessing game, but the fact remained that this baby was Hadyn's and Hadyn was a sister to the girl and she was ready to play aunt and she was also ready to be the rock that her friend needed, if need be.

"I'll move forward with you Hadyn. You know that, right? I mean, I won't cuddle you on chilly nights, well, unless you absolutely need me to." She laughed, lowering her hand to clasp the other before green eyes gave the blacksmith a serious but concerned stare. "But no matter what steps you take our what ever holds you back, I'll be right here for you and this baby." She let her gaze linger a tick before a wide smile parted her lips again and she playfully kicked her leg back and forth. "Besides, you'll learn to open up when I learn to not be so touchy feely with my affection."

[Hadyn Skellig]

A warm smile lit her features as Shiress teased both herself and Hadyn in one fell swoop. Crossing her legs the brunette leaned her back against the table's edge, her hands gripping the side of the bench loosely. Syna's golden rays lit the women's faces, the fall air crisp despite the sun's warmth. Hadyn noted how lovely her friend appeared in the bright hues of the day her hair gleaming with rich tones, hues between mahogany and dark red. She was a beautiful girl, the effects of their traumatic altercation unseen, though the weaponsmith knew their memories haunted Shiress.

"Somethin' t'be said 'bout wearin' your heart on your sleeve," the woman replied quietly as she closed her eyes to enjoy the sun once more. After a tick she squinted one eye open to look at her friend with a grin. "Not sure what that somethin' is. But can't be any worse than shuttin' everythin' inside."

It was clear Hadyn had much to learn from Shiress. As a mother she wouldn't be able to close herself off to emotions. Her smiled faltered a moment as she opened both eyes, staring ahead with a contemplative gaze. While she trusted Shiress absolutely it was still a trial to tell her everything she felt. Priskil bless the girl she was ever patient with her friend. Hadyn's voice lowered an octave as she ignored the reflex to keep her mouth shut.

"I worry... well, I hope... I don't want the child to be like me. Or Orion. I mean, not like us emotionally." The woman frowned, raising one hand to bite the edge of her thumbnail, brows knitted. "We're so... complicated. So not right 'bout it all. I would rather our child be able to express herself without fear of... whatever prevents Orion an' I from speakin' our hearts. I don't want her to be closed off."

The woman fell silent. She wasn't entirely sure why she was telling Shiress this. Or what difference it would make. But something about her friend inspired the brunette to be far more candid than she could ever be with the father of her baby. It was a sad commentary but Hadyn took comfort that one must start somewhere. And Shiress was more support than Orion had ever been. Casting a sidelong glance to her pretty companion the weaponsmith offered her a small smile.

"You'll need to teach both me an' the child how to be normal."

[Shiress]

Shiress' curiosity had been peaked. "Oh? And what is that sum-thin'? She asked, doing her best to capture her friends accent. But when the blacksmith couldn't deliver the explanation, the girl swatted playfully at her, rolling her eyes. "Killjoy! Either is it bad if you ask me. One's protecting while the other is overly giving of emotional support if one fails at protecting." She paused, cocking her head curiously at the thought. "Something like that anyway." She laughed.

Her lighthearted demeanor shifted quickly, becoming more serious with Hadyn's words, but she remained silent, waiting for her friend to finish before she would reply. "Stop Hadyn!" She snapped, holding up her hands. "Why in Sylir's name wouldnt you want that baby to be just like you?" Her hands fell back to her lap with an audible grunting sigh. "You are a very strong, independent, hard-working and self-assured, not to mention, beautiful woman. What's not normal? Suddenly, you have a life-changing issue to deal with and being confused, worried or scared isn't normal?" She shook her head. "That's bullshyke, Haddy. If you went about your life not being scared or confused or not giving a rats whisker about the life you carry inside of you, then you wouldn't be normal. Thinking you can do it all by yourself without help or support is foolish and thinking Orion isn't as confused and scared as you are is foolish also."

Shiress fell silent, pondering the right words to use before speaking again. "Besides." She said quietly. "I think people are who they are because of the way life molds them. I don't think children are born holding in emotion or throwing it out there for all to see. I don't think you have to teach them to be normal, just teach them to be themselves and hope, as they become an adult, that they are strong enough to accept who they are." The girl laughed, shaking her head while pressing her fingertips against her for head. ""Ohhh, Hadyn, what makes you think I know what I'm talking about? I barely know how to hold my whiskey, let alone know how to drink it. Im a babe compared to you." Shiress placed her hands back to her lap and dropped her head. She was a bit jealous of her friend. She actually wished she was Hadyn, wish she had a baby on the way. Someone offering her unconditional love and acceptance. Someone completely dependent on her for a change.

She cleared her throat, forcing back the envious swell forming in her chest and turned her attention back to her friend with mischievously upturned green eyes and hiked eyebrow. "So, it's a girl, huh?" She mused, hearing her friend refer to her unborn child as a 'she' "Don't worry." She added drawing her lips back with a wide smile. "I think Dr. Mike will make a beautiful daughter."

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn need that. She'd been spinning her wagon wheels in mud for the last few chimes, stuck in a rut and it was Shiress reproach that finally gave her the push she needed. The girl was right - as the brunette was discovering more frequently. In matters such as these the weaponsmith grasped for straws. But Shiress had the stones to not only chide but the sense to do so in a caring, gentle manner. It was a skill Hadyn would have to learn.

"You are right, my friend," the brown eyed woman conceded with a smile. "An' I've got no solid prediction 'bout the baby. Could very well be a girl. Orion'll be up to his ears with women, an' not the way he likely wishes."

Hadyn winked at Shiress, her natural humor returning some color to her cheeks. It was a labor to remain so serious and distraught for so long. Neither were traits the brunette entertained longer than necessary. Yet with the changing of her body and the fickle nature of her emotions she was more prone toward a negative attitude, much to her chagrin. With a simpering grin to her lovely companion the woman tilted her head, staring at the sky for a moment before a thought came to her.

"Say then, Shiress," she shifted to face the auburn haired girl, eyes alight with curiosity. "Y'have any skill with horses? My bother's horse is loathe to sit in his stall an' I'm not about to haul my arse on him til the baby's born."

[Shiress]

The look that spread across Shiress' face couldn't have been much different than if Dira herself had just tapped her on the shoulder while waving over Rhysol for friendly introductions. "A horse?" She stammered, swallowing hard to force down her heart that had just leapt to her throat. "I... Um, no! I don't ride horses." She added, shaking her head hard, reminding herself just as much as she was informing her friend.

Aside from the creepy, eight legged spawns of evil that creeped and crawled out of the deep depths of the darkest darkness and most dense shadows to devour your soul, also known as spiders, the girls only other true fear was, yes, horses. Even more so, riding them. They were beautiful and graceful creatures to look upon, but from a distance. Up close they were huge, aggressive beasts with crushing hooves and massive teeth that bite. At least for Shiress this was how she saw them.

"Hadyn, I don't feel much like riding a horse today." She said, lifting her hand to examine her fingernail. "I think I just fancy a walk if it's all the same to you." Without moving her head or hand, she shifted her eyes around to her friend. "Let's talk about Dr. Michael's some more. Maybe the baby? The Rogue Knight? I've seen him before, you know? He's huge and wears a lot of metal. Not Orion of course, but the Rogue..not to say Orion isn't rogue, but you know what I mean."

Her hands fell back to her lap and ran up her legs nervously. She knew her not so subtle diversion tactics probably wouldn't work, but herself on the backside of a horse with it rearing and bucking about wouldn't work either.

Shiress cleared her throat and sat up straight, attempting to feign a more relaxed form, noting if she flat out told the blacksmith that she was afraid of horses, knowing the woman as well as she did, she knew that that would be the very first thing she would force the girl to do. Ride a horse and ever come her fear. She was okay with the fear though.

"So." She began again, flashing her friend a warm, albeit calm smile as her finger twirled around a strand of hair hanging down beside her eye. "Care to hear the story about Kise and The Rogue Knight? Again?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

A deep frown set upon Hadyn's lip, brow furrowed as her friend responded negatively to the suggestion. On this lovely day the girl didn't feel like riding? to the weaponsmith it seemed absurd. But then Shiress' words settled in as she spoke anxiously. The brunette listened respectively as she spoke, the frown melting into an amused expression, eyebrow rising with interest over dark eyes.

"Mhm," the woman replied, unconvinced. "Tell y'what, Shiress. You can tell me 'bout the Rogue Knight, Orion, the baby an' all the stars in the sky. If... you join me at Windmount."

Her visage softened, brown eyes watching her friend carefully. The girl's response did not sit well with her. Horses were integral to the way of life and a reaction like that indicated fear or loathing of riding. That would not do. Shifting on the bench to face her friend the brunette voice was gentle but a note of firmness pervaded her words.

"I'm not one to pry when it ain't my business. But." Hadyn paused a tick before speaking. "Have you ever been lessoned in ridin'?"

There were few things in this world that the weaponsmith truly pushed on anyone. But she cared deeply for her friend and the thought that she had some issue with horses precluding her from learning to ride bothered Hadyn. Perhaps she was entirely off the mark and the girl was well versed in the equestrian skills and just didn't like the animals. But something about her agitated quick manner of speech indicated something more.

[Shiress]

Shiress shifted her eyes to watch her friend as she spoke, the expression of feigned enthusiasm melting to a more concerned one. Just as she figured, Hadyn had seen right through her efforts of diverting the present conversation.

"I don't know much about the stars." She quipped, sitting back with a slump. Truth was she didn't know much about horses either. From as far back as she could remember she had always been afraid of the beasts. Lucky for her, as a young girl her family didn't own any riding horses and the only time the girl had ever been close to a horse was in a buggy being pulled by one. Her feet took her anywhere else she traveled.

Looking back to Hadyn, Shiress gave a defeated sigh. "No, I have never had lessons." She said, uncurling the hair around her finger, letting the ringlet fall just over her eye. "Truth is, I've never even been on a horse." She added flashing the blacksmith a guilty grin.

She shifted uncomfortably on the bench and cleared her throat. She knew she would have to add a bit more information to her reasoning, thanks in part to the hard glare she was getting from her friend, and knowing she might as well offer it cause it was coming in the form of a question anyway.

Tossing a hesitant glance up to the brunette, Shiress opened her mouth to speak but closed it again with a grunt. Another glance up and she frowned. "I'm scared to death of the monsters, OK?" She exclaimed, arms crossing over her chest. "There are two things that I could go the rest of my life and never see. Spiders and horses! I see no reason why I have to crawl on the back of one, let the thing dictate where I go, when I'll get there and whether or not I stay put or go flying off." Shiress shook her head. "It's my firm belief that some people ought to walk where ever they go." She added, giving her words an approving nod.

There, she said it and there she sat expressing a full on pout for Hadyn to see. Shiress was no sooner going to mount a horse then she would pet a spider and that was that, as far as she was concerned, maybe hoped, anyway.

"Besides." She said, smoothing out the wrinkles of her skirt with a satisfied smile spreading her lips. "Can't rightly go riding in a dress, now can I?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

It was almost too much for Hadyn; the defensiveness and accompanying pout. Looking away from her friend a moment to purse her lips it was all the woman could do to avoid laughing. Clearing her throat gently the brunette placed her hands behind her as she leaned back, bracing against straight arms as she tilted her head skyward, allowing the moments to tick by. The sun warmed her skin, taking quiet pleasure in Syna's rays before speaking again, her tone casual.

"Sure 'n you can get there a lot faster on the back of a horse." Rolling her head to look sidelong at her friend the woman smiled. After a chime Hadyn sat up straight, addressing her friend with sincerity in her voice. "There's no way of gettin' around the beasts. A necessary evil, y'might say. But..." the brown eyed weaponsmith paused, tilting her head down to look at Shiress with a sober visage. "I'll not let y'fall off. I think... well, I believe a woman should at least know how to get herself from one point to another on horseback. Y'never know when it may save your life."

Hadyn fell silent, allowing her words to sink in. There was no need to mention their ordeal. No need to add weight to the situation that could've easily seen them both dead. But the brunette was increasingly aware of her friend's changed demeanor since, deeming it for the better. Shiress was far more self aware and assured of herself. Whatever had transpired in the woods when Hadyn was spirited away altered the auburn girl. Hadyn wasn't about to let her progress lose steam on account of fear.

"Shiress, I wouldn't force you to do somethin' y'aren't keen on. I just think... well, if you were my sister or daughter I'd want you to have all the skills necessary t'be independent in this world. We both know how even the tightest stitched plans can unravel." Hadyn paused, brow knitted as she bit her bottom lip, raising brown eyes to find the lovely green of her friend. "Just consider it,hm?"

[Shiress]

"Ide rather have that youngin' for ya." Admitted Shiress, nodding toward the woman's baby bump before her green eyes trailed away.

"A necessary evil?" She questioned sarcastically, finding her friend's gaze again with a mocked chuckle. "You got the evil part right, didn't you?" Shiress slung her leg over the other, swinging it vigorously with a sigh. "Unless it can throw a shield up or wield a sword, I don't see how a horse could save my life." She looked away, her voice dropping to a mumble. "Save my life."

The girl paused to gnaw at the inside of her cheek, knowing she had no right to mock her friend in such a way. The woman was right and had a valid point after all. If a horse had been around, unguarded in the forest late last Spring, would she have known how to climb up on the beast? How to make it move and then how to guide it? No. She wouldn't have despite the fact it could have saved her from nights events. But, as it was, there was no horse to speak of that night and things transpired the way they did and now she sat beside her dear friend alive and well...and still afraid of horses. Why was she afraid of horses anyway?

Shiress' eyes slowly shifted sideways to see the rays of sunlight beautifully highlighting Hadyn's natural glow. Her head tilted thoughtfully with a tenderness in her eyes. The girl couldn't deny the fact of feeling invincible, able to conquer anything with Hadyn by her side. Even during the darkest of nights, she was comforted just to have her friend by her side, encouraging her, caring for her. The woman meant everything to the girl. Hand in hand with her friend, Shiress felt it possible to leap mountains. Maybe she could attempt to ride a horse.

Turning to face the brunette, Shiress relented with a sigh and slumped shoulders, a hint of concern in her eyes. "If you promise I wont go flying off the damned beast and you promise to walk beside me the whole way." She paused with a loving smile for her friend. "I'd learn to ride a Zith. As long as there are no spiders in the saddle!"