Closed Baby Blues {Shiress}

[Hadyn Skellig]

40th Day
Winter 513 AV
Late Afternoon

"Late, late, late," the weaponsmith muttered this mantra over and over again as she hurried down the empty streets of the Roshin. Her steps though swift didn't break into a run, mindful of the baby strapped to her back. She'd been visiting her less than thrilled midwife for a follow-up check and (unsurprisingly) annoyed old Viola enough to incur her wrath in the form of a half bell's chastising about this and that. It was nearly dark by the time the brunette escaped Soothing Waters. Slung on her arm was a basket full of groceries, her trip to the market having delayed her meeting with the midwife - yet another strike against her.

Hadyn didn't necessarily dislike Viola. But the elder was of the firm belief the young mother was going about being a parent in all the wrong ways. As far as Hadyn could tell she was doing just fine. Swearing an oath under her breath the woman sunk her hand into the deep pocket of her dark jacket in search of the apartment key. Shiress was likely already there considering they were supposed to meet a half a bell earlier. Guilt saturated the weaponsmith's mind as she quickened her walk.

Liam was quietly enjoying his view from his post on her back, the snug wrapping keeping him hoisted just below her head. He seemed to enjoy their little excursions away from the apartment, a dazed albeit contented expression plastered on his face. His cheeks were rosy with the cold, hers equally red with exertion. Finally making it to her door Hadyn slid the key in, hoping her friend had made herself comfortable inside.

"I'm so sorry," she began before the door even opened, stepping into the apartment with a wash of words. "That damn Pritchard woman kept me waitin' on her with petchin' lectures. I tell you, Shiress, I've about had it with that tight-laced pigeon-faced bint."

Hadyn was over the threshold, one hand shutting the door the other beginning to untie the baby from her back. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun, vines of loose strands falling around her face and neck. The grey dress beneath her jacket was stained at the hem with the mud plastered to her boots. She turned then to search for her friend, embarrassment coupled with mild irritation for her delay written plainly on her face. A smile finally settled on her lips.

"Hope you weren't waiting too long."

[Shiress]

"Hadyn?" Called Shiress, her knuckles rapping against the door of her friends apartment "must not be home yet"

Her hand plunged into her bag for the key that Hadyn had given her and with a push and click the old wooden door moaned and creaked open and Shiress stepped through and into the sunlit room "you home yet?" she called again, but still no answer. Satisfied that her friend was running a bit late she closed the door and stepped softly across the floor to the hearth to mend the dwindling fire. When healthy flames licked around a fresh log she straightened herself and glanced around the empty space. "Lucky thing" she moaned, stepping in front of the window, tilting back her head to allow Syna's rays to warm her face, "wish I had a window." Shiress' apartment more resembled a dungeon than an apartment. It was easily half the size of Hadyn's, if not smaller, and with four solid stone walls with no windows she couldn't help but fancy her friends home more than her own.

The sound of the door opening across the room spun the girl around, a wide smile parted her lips as her friend appeared in the doorway "There you two are" she said, strolling across the floor to greet her host with a cheek to cheek embrace. The girl new her friend disliked hugs, but still gave her one each time the two met. One might think it was to simply aggravate the brunette blacksmith, while others might think that Shiress just didn't care and loved her friend and wanted to give her a hug. Both were probably right.

"I've been here ages upon ages" she answered grinning "how many more visits do you have?" she added, stepping around Hadyn to help free Liam, gasping playfully as the baby boy lifted his bright blue eyes to meet her "Look at you, sweet boy, all wide awake" Shiress lifted the tiny bundle from it's cocoon, cradling the back of his neck with her hand as she situated him safely in her arms. To have no children of her own Shiress was surprisingly at ease while holding the new born. She loved how he felt in her arms, how his slow, gentle movements could create such a fierce desire to protect such a little, fragile thing that didn't even belong to her.

Shiress stepped cautiously to a chair and lowered herself down, pulling Liam around to lay down the length of her thighs. As comfortable as she was, she was more so sitting with the baby than standing. "Hadyn, he gets more beautiful every time I see him" she noted, gliding her fingertips down his silky dark hair, along his forehead and off the tip of his little nose. She smiled looking up to meet his mothers gaze "he couldn't be more perfect"

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn smiled as Shiress approached, turning so her friend could relieve her of the baby. Once he was undone the woman shrugged her jacket off and hung it up. With a wry glance to the auburn haired girl she crossed the floor toward the hearth, satisfied the boy wasn't making a fuss in the barmaid's care. Pausing to place the basket of groceries on the table the weaponsmith noticed her friend was good enough to revive the fire.

"Gods only know," she answered at length, bending over to set the small cauldron of water on its tripod above the flames to make tea. "All she ever does is fret over my lack of a husband." The brunette rolled her eyes as she walked to the table and began removing items from the basket. "Considerin' Liam's healthy as an ox I s'ppose there's no reason to continue going so frequently. Once a season 'slong as nothin's the matter."

Hadyn looked up from her task to catch Shiress sitting with her son, a wide smile painted on her youthful face. The weaponsmith grinned, pausing with a satchel of dried meats in one hand. It did her well to see someone else dote on the child, her own love fierce but sometimes desolate. Having another face around would be good for Liam as he grew. Meeting her friend's gaze with her own smile Hadyn nodded.

"He's a looker - like his father." She winked and returned to the produce as she spoke. "And so fascinated with the world. Sometimes I catch him just starin' wide eyed and curious. I tell you, Shiress, for as quiet as he is he must have a lot on his little mind."

Hadyn moved to the cupboards to begin storing her purchases, bringing two mugs down as well. Tossing a glance over her shoulder to check the water the brunette selected a box of tea for them, setting it and the mugs on the table. Putting the basket down against the wall she joined Shiress and Liam, seating herself on the old divan opposite them. Curling her legs on the sage colored cushion she rested her head in one hand, elbow sitting on the divan's wooden back as she watched them with a thoughtful smile.

"You're so good to come over the way y'do. Gets lonesome with just the two of us, doesn't it Liam?"

[Shiress]

"Petch that old bat"Shiress said, her eyes never leaving the baby "tell her you do have a husband, just in the form of a friend. the girl shot her friend a toothy grin "isn't no business of hers anyhow, ain't that right, Liam?" she laughed "And lets hope his good looks is all he gets from Orion Michaels. Although, I fear he will have his papa's observation, seems Liam doesn't want to miss anything."

Shiress lifted her eyes as Hadyn took her seat, she paused with a soft smile before speaking "How you been feeling?" she arched a brow "seems the nursing is going good, you hardly look like you've given birth, what, 20 something days ago? My mom would always encourage nursing to new mothers as a way of loosing all the baby weight. Must be true, cause you look wonderful." she paused, pushing the blanket down around the baby's chin "I'd be here more if I could help it. she added, grinning now as Liam found her eyes "A girl's gotta visit her two most favorite people in the world, right?" she nodded playfully to prove her point.

The soft little grunts coming from Liam seemed to be escalating quickly to irritation, his legs struggling to kick beneath the blanket. Shiress frowned and lifted the baby to her chest, guiding his head to rest on her shoulder, and leaned back, her hand gently patting the new born's back. She cleared her throat and tilted her head thoughtfully "Speaking of Orion earlier, how's he doing?" she asked, her tone level "I haven't seen him since, well, for awhile, save for about 10 chimes last season at the Stallion."


Shiress quieted, enjoying the feeling of Liam against her chest, her face straightening as she searched the memory of long ago when she once held a little girl to her chest, her movements ceasing as her breathing became deep and rhythmic, just as Liam's was. She smiled and pulled the baby close to her cheek, savoring the moment as well as the memory.

[Hadyn Skellig]

Within a chime or two of sitting Hadyn realized the water was hot enough to serve the tea. Standing as her friend spoke she offered nods and the occasional mhm as she prepared their drinks. The brunette tossed a sardonic grin over her shoulder at Shiress when the girl commented on her appearance, her hands occupied as she ladled a cup's worth of water into the mug. Moving to the table she began steeping the tiny sachet in the water, smiling at her friend.

"Having you here at all is blessing," she replied earnestly, raising her gaze from the mug to catch Shiress. But the girl was busy settling Liam, and successfully so. Letting the one mug sit Hadyn returned to the hearth to perform the same ritual on the other. A hesitancy caught her actions when the girl mentioned Orion again, this time inquiring after his well being. In spite of herself the brunette couldn't help but lose her smile, brows knitting together as she considered the question. Returning to her business Hadyn stood and walked to the table before answering, focusing dutifully on making sure the tea steeped properly.

"I don't know," she replied at length, brown eyes locked on the important matter of drowning herbs in hot water. "Haven't seen him in a while. He's got his life with the Knights and his daughter..."

She trailed off with annoying uncertainty. After another moment of silence she let slip a sigh, frustrated with her reaction. Then, with a determined set of her jaw, the weaponsmith looked up and flashed a tight lipped smile before bearing Shiress' mug to her. Setting it on the table beside the girl the brunette paused, looking down at her son in her friend's arms.

"I try not to focus on Orion," she admitted, her tone significantly more assured. "He'll always have a place in our lives," a hand reached out to tuck the corner of the blanket under the baby. "But I can't wait around for him to call on me. I imagine he's doing just fine though."

She shot the girl another smile before retreating to fetch her own mug. Bringing it with her to the divan Hadyn sat, warming her hands on the pottery. Brushing an errant strand from her eyes with the shrug of a shoulder she offered Shiress a simpering grin, mischief alight in her brown eyes.

"But enough of him. What have you been up to? Any new beaus Liam must compete with for your adoration?"

[Shiress]

Shiress nodded appreciatively and reached for the mug and, careful to hold it away from the bundle against her shoulder, she turned her head and sipped the warm liquid before carefully returning the mug to the table. "That's understandable" she said, glancing up to her friend "but part of his life is here with Liam also" she sighed "but I can't blame you for moving on, I guess I would to."

Straightening her back she pulled one leg beneath the other and lowered Liam to the bend of her elbow, his soft breaths passing through his small, plump lips like a purring kitten as he dozed peacefully. Shiress smiled and swiped a finger across his little cheek. "You have all the love you need right here, my friend"

Green eyes lifted with a feigned gasp of surprise as a hand covered the sleeping baby's ear "Never!" she snapped playfully "he will always be ruler of my heart." she paused and lifted her eyes "though, I did meet a fellow by the name of Tourmal last night" she smiled big, lips parting to reveal her teeth, emerald eyes wide with anticipation "Gods Hadyn, he was striking! Tall, sun kissed skin, light hair, and bright green eyes" she paused blushing "body hard as stone" She ran the palm of her hand across Liam's soft hair thoughtfully before leveling her tone "he is friends with Orion from seasons ago" she added.

The girl knew Hadyn had already dismissed the topic of the good doctor, but she couldn't help herself but to ask one more question. Licking her lips, she drew in a breath and shifted in her chair, eyes lifting sidelong to catch her friends gaze.

"Did you know that Orion is a widower?"

[Hadyn Skellig]

Hadyn took a measure sip of tea while Shiress continued, keeping the mug close to her face. The scent of herbs rose in lazily tendrils, delighting her sense of smell as she listened. Her fingers were pleasantly heated by the radiance emanating from the pottery, the ponderous flood of warmth stretching down her arms as the woman began to relax. All the rushing around and awkward interactions at Soothing Waters had the woman on edge. It was a precious reprieve to simply sit and enjoy the moment. An eyebrow arched nearly in afterthought once the girl announced her new beau.

Tourmal.

The corner of her lip quirked into a half smile as she kept her gaze on Shiress. As suspected the Drykas was making his rounds among the women of Syliras. Hadyn nearly commented on it with dripping cynicism but the auburn's next statement evaporated the words from her tongue. Friends with Orion? interesting. The weaponsmith wasn't entirely convinced the squire kept friends. But somehow the thought of tall dark and handsome chumming it up with the bronzed "hard bodied" Tourmal made sense. They certainly shared a lust for the ladies.

The brunette was ready to respond facetiously but the girl's final question caught her entirely off guard. Jerking her head up to look at Shiress the woman's brow furrowed. A widower. She took a moment to let it sit, lowering the mug. A visage of indecision crossed the planes of her face, unsure how to take this information. After a moment of worrying her bottom lip thoughtfully Hadyn finally offered a shrug though it was decidedly unsure.

"I didn't," she answered hesitantly, staring now at Liam with a conflicted gaze. "He kept it to himself. Wasn't Tourmal's business to be sharing."

Hadyn surprised herself with the defensive tone she employed. Taking a breath and smoothing the fabric of her dress along her thigh the weaponsmith wet her lips. She wasn't exactly protective of Orion or his decision to keep his past a secret. She could sympathize. And Tourmal violating the trust the squire clearly bestowed upon him irked her. But it wasn't just because it was Orion, right? no. She would've been furious if it'd been her past brought to light before a stranger. Looking up at Shiress with a calmed gaze she smiled slightly.

"I'd keep it to y'self, though. If only to keep your fellow from an arse whoopin." Hadyn grinned, settling back in a more relaxed position on the divan. Not wishing to dwell on this new information the brunette caught Shiress with a smirk. "So tell me 'bout this Tourmal, hm? where'd you meet him?"

[Shiress]

Shiress regarded her friend curiously "No more than I have made it my business to share it with you" she said, lifting her eyebrows "besides, it's not like I'm going to run off and tell everyone I come in contact with" she shook her head slightly irritated. That makes twice that Hadyn had clammed up at the subject of Orion Michaels. "if Orion would beat someone senseless for sharing something that his drunk self blurts out" her gaze fell to the baby "than that's just wrong on his part. But I'll be of mind to hold my tongue. I was just wondering if you knew, is all" she shot the brunette a playful, sour face and rolled her eyes

Of all the conversation's that Hadyn and herself engaged in regarding the doctor, Shiress couldn't understand why her friend would was suddenly reserved to speak of him to her. She remained curious, but diverted her attention to the slumbering bundle she held in her lap. She couldn't help but smile at the little thing, so cute and peaceful, completely unaware of anything. His innocence warmed her heart.

Sliding a finger beneath the little mans lip warranted a sleepy grin from his tiny face and Hadyn's question warranted an even bigger, toothy grin from Shiress "At The Stallion" she replied lifting her eyes "he came in for a drink, and" she grimaced slightly, tilting her head "he had a bad burn on his arm so I took him to my apartment and wrapped it for him." A flush settled into her cheeks as she searched her friends gaze "and then I kissed him"

[Hadyn Skellig]

The brunette merely nodded to Shiress' response, accepting the girl's gentle criticism silently. Perhaps she'd reacted a bit too prickly. The notion of discussing Orion with anyone at the moment was cringe worthy but her reaction was notably sour. Casting her friend an apologetic smile Hadyn brought the mug closer to her lips, speaking before taking a sip.

"I didn't know. We don't share much about each other."

Best leave it at that.

The weaponsmith's expression brightened as Shiress smiled and divulged more of the story with Tourmal. It pleased her to see the girl so happy - even if the Drykas was a bit of a rogue. Hadyn was of a mind to warn her friend of becoming too emotionally involved but she chose to hold off. Shiress was a different person from the girl she'd met season ago. The brunette decided she would only address it if it became significant.

"Look at you," Hadyn grinned warmly, pride in her voice. "Takin' men to your place an' kissin' them. You minx. I'm familiar with Tourmal. Met him m'self a while ago. Decent fellow. Easy on the eyes."

She winked at Shiress before taking another sip of tea. Her gaze settled on Liam for a moment. It was a monumental relief Shiress was willing and able to help her care for the baby. Hadyn wasn't sure how she'd be able to manage without the girl's constant help and support. Raising her gaze she smiled again.

"Think you'll see him again?"

[Shiress]

Shiress swallowed a sudden taste of bitterness with a sip of warm tea... A long, slow sip.

Hadyn's revelation of previously meeting Tourmal suddenly threatened to spark a flame of resentment that had long been extinguished between the two friends, surprising even Shiress and stealing her breath away for a moment. Taking the long sip of tea was just what the girl needed to give pause for the realization to surface that Hadyn had never meant to hurt her in the past and would never do anything to hurt her now. She studied Hadyn over the rim of her cup. Times were different. She was different and so was Haddie.

"So, then you know why I am overwhelmed by the man." She noted, lowering the cup back to the table and brushed an auburn ringlet behind her ear "he was a gentleman, to be true, and seemed genuine enough as he spoke" Green eyes dropped with a slow blink to the baby in her arms "oh to be loved" she whispered, the corner of her mouth twitching with a depressed chuckle.

Shiress situated her hand beneath the bundle in her arms and slowly stood, trying to avoid waking the slumbering infant in her arms, her face straightening in thought "I need to talk to you about something." She took the baby to his cradle and laid him gently into his blankets, pausing to make sure he remained asleep, before returning to her friend.

Pulling her mug from the table she turned to sit beside Hadyn, drawing her leg up beneath her as she positioned herself slightly catty-cornered. With a breath, she began "Near the end of last season Bolivar ask me to spend the day with him, you may or may not remember. Shortly into our day, he asked me to begin a relationship with him, to be his girlfriend, as I took it." she took a sip of tea and leveled her gaze with Hadyn's "I lost it, Haddie. I just completely lost it. I mean, I know it was the way he came about it, the way he was so close to me, holding me, and the way he said he wanted me to be his" she shook her head "it was all too much and I - if I would have held a dagger, I'd have hurt him and I knew he meant me no harm." she admitted, breathless, pausing to slide her fingertips across her forehead.

After taking another measured pull from the mug she began again "Then before all that, there was The Coin, but that time I did have a dagger, and not a thought in my head that should have stopped me from using it. And before it all was the Bronze Woods" her eyes fell to her hands enclosed around the mug, her thumb rubbing against its rough edges "But yet, last night, I melt beneath the touch of a stranger." she met her friends gaze with a soft smile "I'm so confused"