What's the Harm in a Little Game? (Open)

[Lyanah Vexforth]

”That's right! Gimme another one!” A small, dark-skinned figured shouted over the hustle of the hazy tavern.

“No way! Are you even of age?” the bartender retorted, a face of complete skepticism on his face. He'd seen a lot of annoying patrons in his years of running the tavern, but this woman was something else... His hands moved quickly as they ran a towel around his freshly-washed glasses, drying them to speck-less perfection.

”You hear me you dried-up ol' fart!? Another!” the girl taunted, her demeanor one of obvious intoxication; she may have been asking for her tenth, or twelveth, maybe even her fourth, regardless of her intake, she had already had more than her small body handle. Yet there she was, arguing with the tender about it.

“I can't do that! You're drunk, causing a scene; you need to leave now!”

”Hyuk,” the small woman hiccuped, wiping a bit of drunken slobber from the corner of her lips, ”How about a wager then, hmmmmm?” she asked, raising a brow, her poker face flawless, even through her intoxication.

“No way would I ever wager with you!” He snorted, laughing at the ridiculous idea, only to be cut short by the small woman's unimpressed stare.

”Scared, hmm?” she cooed mockingly, straightening her back on her stool, ”Scared of losing to a girl? You whimp...”

The tender's expression shifted to one of appall, and he shook his head, “Name you're wager, little girl! I'm not scared of someone you're age!” he roared triumphantly. It seemed the whole bar was now paying attention to the pair as they bantered back and forth; the bartenders roaring bringing a round of cheering from the drunken crowd.

The girl giggled, rapping her fingertips on the counter top as she waited a moment for the crowd to quiet before speaking. ”Alright then... If you win, I'll never step foot in this bar again...”

The man's interests were peaked; all thoughts about this being a stupid game faded and he was in. ”To never see her bratty face again,” he thought inwardly, ”How can I refuse?" However, his poker face was admirable; and he simply nodded in response, “And if I lose?” he asked, playing along with no intentions of allowing her the satisfaction of beating him.

She smiled kindly, tipping to the side, her frail body nearly slipping off the stool in the process. Before the crowd rushed to her aid, though she caught herself and giggled drunkenly, ”I want the most expensive bottle you have. And I want two weeks- No, a month! Of free drinks.”

The bartender weighed his chances. He was a server of alcohol; he knew the signs of intoxication and this girl was clearly displaying them. On top of that, she was merely a child; there was no way that he could lose. And as the crowd of drunks cheered him on, his ego only grew, “Sounds like a deal, girl. But, your wager, my game,” he said coolly, eyeing the girl.

Clothed in a dull yellow hooded sweater; her cheeks reddened from the booze, her pale blonde hair messy, her light green eyes foggy. He'd easily win this with one try: the game of his choice a simple one.

”Alright,” the intoxicated girl agreed with a drunken nod, ”Hyuk! You name it.”

The man beamed with confidence and strode over to the counter opposite of her. Reaching across, he snatched an empty stool, and brought it to him. Taking a seat, he dropped a heavy elbow onto the counter top, and unrolled the sleeve of his jacket. For a bartender, this mans muscle was impressive; nearly double the size of the young lady's sleeved arm.

“We arm wrestle for it.”

For a moment, it looked as though the drunken woman would withdraw; however, that proved false as she slammed her own elbow beside his, and gently wrapped her fingers around his hand. Taking their places, the two received a countdown from the crowd. The bartender was all but guaranteed his victory on the girl, and once he received it, he'd never have to see her again; he'd beaten the best of the best in this tavern, rivaling any request to get out of a bar-tab with his own strength. No one had beaten him yet.

“3!” the drunks shouted as the two contender's eyes met; the girls hazy, often looking from side to side, as if in another world.

“2!” they shouted again. He could feel no sign of her muscles tensing; was she even going to try, or had she already seceded?

“1!” on their mark, the man's muscled seemed to swell, his teeth gritted together, and his veins looked as though they'd rip out of his throat. He wasted no time in giving the girl his all; however there was one small issue. Regardless of the amount the man grunted or groaned, the woman's hand didn't move.

Putting a free hand to her mouth, the girl gave a feigned yawn, then removed her hood; staring the tender dead in the face with her revived green eyes. Fire burst inside them and a sick smirk slid across her beautiful face. She was, by no means intoxicated, ”Oh?” she teased, ”Is that all you got, big boy?”

The bartender's face turned red and his teeth began to crack under the pressure as he tried his best to move the girl's arm. Obviously this was, in fact all he had.

Her expression shifted to one of disappointment, and she shook her head, ”What a shame... All talk...” she sighed, flexing his arm back with relative ease, ”Oh well, though...” her smile returned as the man's arm bent back even more, now only inches above the table. His breath was staggered, and his face looked like a mix between someone who'd witnessed something horrifying, and someone unable to use the bathroom for a week.

Leaning in closely to his ear she whispered something to him, then withdrew, unable to hold her laughter back any longer, the young lady roared, ”Free booze, here I come!” and pushed his arm back to the counter top, releasing him after a reassuring moment that she had won.

The bartender grunted and grabbed up his arm, “You were faking?! You tricked me! I oughta-” furious as he was, the man glanced around the room to see his patrons all looking at him. He had a business to run, a reputation to keep. He had made the deal, and now he had to pay the price.

Cursing under his breath, he turned towards his selection of booze, picking the most expensive one he had only after rubbing his sore arm for a moment. Slapping it on the table in front of her, he growled, “You win. Drink up.”

The small girl giggled, snatching the bottle as quickly as she received it. Turning towards the door, she gave a half-hearted wave, ”Was nice playing with you. See you in a day, or so, to collect on your debt!”

The man grunted as the girl headed for the exit, however his ears perked right before she left, “Hey, kid! How old are you anyways?” he asked; at least knowing how old the woman he was bested by was might help him accept it...

”Ah, ah, ah!” she scolded with a finger over her head, not looking back to him, ”Don't you know its impolite to ask a woman her age?”

Snatching a weapon from beside the door, the woman would vanish in an instant; however a hush would fall over the bar as she left. Heaving a heavy, hammer onto shoulder, she glanced over her it and gave them all a wink. Just like that, the whole drunken crowd was in love; this woman was young, smart, beautiful, and powerful. She had to be one of a kind.

Within moments of her departure, the whole bar roared with approval, even a few brawls breaking out over who might marry "that woman". However, there was one man inside that stayed silent: the barkeep. His eyes fell from the door to his arm, and he sighed replaying the small secret the woman shared with him:

”The names Lyanah. Don't forget it.” The thought of being threatened by such a small girl might have been laughable to some, but to the man that felt her true strength, and heard her true tone, he knew that there was very little to laugh about. And he wouldn't dare forget her.

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Stepping out into the rain, Lyanah let out a sigh; sure, she had a new, expensive bottle of booze in hand, but it had been warm and dry inside the bar. Outside it was much the opposite, the wind kicking harshly, large, dark clouds hanging lowly in the sky, sometimes bursting with lightning and thunder. The rain was stop-and-go, however, from the looks of things it was highly likely it would end up a downpour.

Tossing the hood back over her head Lyanah let out a sigh, for now it seemed she was safe to roam the lively streets of the Land's Edge; the common hustle and bustle of the city only slightly slowed by the impending storm. However, to say such weather was uncommon here would be false; there was really no reason for the businesses to stop, or the people.

Lyanah stopped under a small tree which sat at the center of a equally small park. Small sitting areas like this had been set up throughout the city- “beautifying” they called it. Huffing at the idea Lyanah tossed her hammer from her back, placing it against the tree. To her the city wasn't a beautiful place at all. Many of the harsher memories she had had come from such a city. However, this small park had always been one of the better places.

Her back connected hard with the trunk of the tree as she slumped against it, sliding downwards until seated next to her companion, Bonecrusher. Wrapping a small hand around the cap of her bottle, she gave it a hard spin and removed it. A quick glance and whiff of the liquor inside was enough to tell her it was “good stuff”. Pressing the bottle to her lips, she gave it a swig, then set the bottle between her legs, crossing them to secure it in place.

Her head connected with the trunk as she looked up to the leaved branches above her, ”Why can't anything interesting ever happen?” she groaned, her voice louder than “acceptable in public”- more of a shout, actually. Huffing hard, the young lady took yet another drink of her liquor and returned to her state of gazing at leaves, ”Come on...”

[Captain Dawn]

The constant, often heavy rains which had begun to pound Lands End in the last few weeks were a familiar and welcoming sight to the first days of summer in the northern lands that the Kingsfolk called their home. The season always started off the same. It was a stubble changed from the cool, some what dry spring into the down pour that was summer in this land. Then one day, around the coming of the sun the heavens would weep like a widow. Its tears falling from above to wash away and renew the dry land. During this period floods were a common sight with the sudden arrival of oceans of water upon the land. Even with advanced water systems and flood gates, man made structures simply hadn't caught up with the strength of the elements.

For the moment the rain was coming in thundering waves. For a short period the land would be soaked with rivers tracing down its face yet none would be falling from above. Then not a few moments after one would have taken notice of the still sounds heaven would shatter its barrier once more and the land would be greeted with another wave of moisture. The pattern was often annoying at best as the weather always seemed ready to turn at a moments notice. It was on days like this that most city folk would remain indoors drinking, waiting for the coming day in which outside work would could resume with haste.

The outside forges, once alive with flames and bellows of smoke, now stood quite. No flames licked at their iron lips, with replenishing logs to feed the stone beasts. Leather pieces, that would be drying out in the high afternoon sun were now tightly bundled and hidden in massive straw stacks in hopes the dry grasses would soak the moisture from the beast skins. From one side of the city to the other few walked through the streets. Only merchants entering or leavening the city and armed guards on partrol were fully noticeable in the rolling waves of weather.

A new wave of rain began to pound the drenched earth once more. It's soft patter on the stone streets and wooden shingles upon the roof tops echoed through out the city like a haunting call that came from everywhere at once. The soft rhythm of the elements had a calming effect to it, as if a sleep was being drawn upon the city with natures touch upon a person's cheek.

The calming effect that set upon the small park would begin to unravel with the approaching clinging of metal upon metal and squeaking of old joints. Those few which hovered about the streets glanced up and then quickly away when their gaze fell upon the Captain of Guard, Captain Dawn and a personal escort of three guardsmen. The three guardsmen, with their half steel helmets, a mixture of half leather, half chain mail armor, and armed with short swords and shield were difficult to tell a part from one another. Dawn, as leading Captain of the Guard worn a more stylish outfit than the rest yet still retained a similar image to that of his men's uniform.

Coming to halt just to the entrance of the greenery which had been smacked down in the center of a stone jungle Dawn's eyes narrow in thought. There was a person, no a woman, sitting under a shielding tree near the parks center. An odd place to find shelter during these torrent of storms yet as Dawn saw the lifting of a glass bottle to her pressed lips the picture became clearer.

"Continue the patrol."

Dawn commanded towards the men who accompanied at his side. Without second thought the three guards saluted their captain and with haste turned about and began to head down through another street that would led out towards the western wall. Having done these routes many times during his own career he knew it would be at least an hour before the three would return to this point. That being said Dawn was happy enough to be rid of them. It wasn't as though Dawn held any ill thoughts toward his men, rather his crippled leg always made such patrols through the city tiring, and a quick respite would do wonders for his pain.

With a deep exhale from his nose Dawn continued through stone archway into the park and towards the young woman who still rested under the large tree. Coming within a good dozen yards from the stranger Dawn would cease in his movement and call out to the woman.

"Afternoon madame."

With that Dawn would pull lightly at the hood of his cloak in a manner that was customary when addressing a woman.

"What is it that brings you to these parts on such a day as this?"

[Lyanah Vexforth]

“Afternoon, Madame.”

The sudden words were enough to invoke a startled reaction from the young girl, pulling her from her almost-intransive state, a cute, high-pitched squeak escaping her lips. Instinctively, her gaze quickly fell from the branches above her to the ground below, or rather who was standing there. Giving the stranger a hasty look, it wasn't hard for the young woman to gather he was a high-ranking guard; perhaps the Captain that she'd heard so much talk of lately.

His question brought a smile to the young girls face, and she gave him a half-hearted wave before taking yet another sip of her bottle, ”Why, I'm just enjoying the beautiful weather,” she joked, her tone rather flat, bubbling with sarcasm. However, her tone would fade after a stale moment, and a giggle would escape her lips, ”I'm just enjoying some of my favorite liquor in my favorite park.” she told him honestly; "Might there be a problem?”

Living the way she did, Lyanah was not very fond of the guards. Although they did their best in protecting the Kingdom, and did a pretty good job, there was certain situations that made things complicated for the young lady. Swindling, and playing people were not exactly an approved form of employment to most guards. There were some that would simply turn their head away from such actions, however some were more than happy to take a hustler and punish them.

Smiling kindly, the young woman pointed the opening of the bottle towards the guard, ”Care for a swig?” she offered with genuine warmth; although she preferred to avoid the guard all together, at this point she bared no hard feelings towards this man. She was fairly certain he was simply doing his job; besides, what could he possibly have against such a cute girl?

[Captain Dawn]

There was an unchanging appearance upon Dawns face as the girl, who had been oblivious to his approach, let loose a high pitched squeal of surprise. As if an elastic band had been stretched apart and then released the woman jumped from her position on the ground a few inches before falling back down with a wet thud. At any other moment the action might have brought a warming chuckle to Dawn but it was not the time for it. Being on patrol through the cities streets his defenses were at their peak for possible criminals. For all Dawn knew the woman he had just startled was that of a criminal herself, and he wasn't about to let anyone get the best of him. Having walked the back alleys and side streets of Lands End for many years Dawn had learned through experience that he should assume all were criminals until proven otherwise; a lunging knife to his exposed back had taught him such a lesson well.

What the woman did next caused the briefest moments of confusion upon Dawn's face before it returned to its rather grimace state. She had smiled at him. Such actions were strange towards city guards. While they were a necessity in cities as large as Land's End to keep law and order it didn't mean they were well liked. A gap always existed between the people and guards of the city and for good reason. The people saw the guards as bullies, lowly beings with a slight advantage over their brethren who abused the power and assaulted without cause. Dawn could understand the ill feelings towards his men, but for the most part those who held no love for the city guard were lowly criminals which would cloud their bias.

As Dawn eyed the woman up and down his attention fell on to the garments she wore. They were unlike that of a pauper yet not so glamorous that one might consider her one of noble birth. Aside from soaked clothes, drenched, heavy hair and slightly muddy clothes he couldn't say was she unattractive to any degree. All the factors filled and filed in Dawn's head in fractions of a second as he tried to assess this strange woman. It wasn't odd to find a drunk out in the middle of a down pour, they were easy enough to spot with tattered clothes and a scent so foul flowers would wilt. This woman however had the outside appearance of someone who could possibly be a noble yet acted like the down trodden.

"Beautiful? Never before have I heard such a word used for this season."

Dawn cocked his head towards one side in thought, his eyes never once leaving from where she sat.

"Problem? I think not. Unless you believe there is one to be found here."

 Dawn spoke. His voice flat and monotone as he glanced into the woman's smiling face.

Dealing with criminals day after day, year after year, Dawn had acquired a unique ability to read others to a great degree. While this woman might be a criminal, whatever she had done was petty. Whatever she might have done with wasn't much worth his time to dive into her past nor did he really have any proof of any ill deeds she might have done.

Deciding this in his head a light grin finally broke through his lips towards the woman however it was quick to drop away at her offer of the bottle she carried.

At seeing the liquor as it danced in its glass prison Dawn's crippled leg began to throb and quiver sending rolling waves of pain through out the limb. The wound was years old at this point but even so it felt as though it was fresh with blood still running from his body. On a regular bases Dawn took ground up roots and leaves which had been prescribed to him in order to relieve the pain, but now a days they hardly took the edge off. Finding that the medication hardly put a dent in his pain he had switched over to the bottle. The numbing agent did wonders on his pain; it didn't remove it but it allowed Dawn to forget it ever existed which was the closest he would ever come to a world where he felt nothing.

There was a great temptation to snatch the bottle from the woman's hands and take a hearty swig from it depths. At the last second when Dawn went to reach out he pulled himself back from the edge. He couldn't as much as the pain told him to do so. Dawn was on duty, in uniform, in the middle of the city and in the middle of the day, if he were to be caught in such a drunken stupor it would bring much shame to his office and family. Shaking his head from side to side Dawn rejected the offer with his palm facing out towards her.

"Many thanks but I will have to pass on this offer."

 Dawn nodded his head slightly before his hand came down to the metal brace which was strapped to his leg.

"I find myself with no need for a drink but a place to sit would be welcomed. May I?"

Dawn questioned. His hand extending outwards to point at the spot right beside the woman.

[Lyanah Vexforth]

The man's demeanor was to be expected for a man of his profession; his attitude came off as fairly straight-forward, direct, or to-the-point. Her attempt at playful sarcasm was a total flop, and his response to her question of a problem was also fairly serious. Silently shaking her head in response, she watched as he studied her with interest for a moment. Suddenly a small smile presented itself on his face, and Lyanah let out a small laugh of her own. ”Well, he can't be all that bad, I guess...” she thought silently, finally taking the time to give him a proper “glancing over”.

Neat orange hair, pretty blue eyes, tall, and dressed in his impressively-made uniform. He wasn't unattractive himself, at least for his age- whatever that might have been. Politely declining Lyanah's offer of liquor, the man asked to join her. The question made the young girl's brow raise; until her eyes caught glimpse of the leg brace he wore.

”You may,” the young girl told him, scooting over a bit to make room a little more room. Although he might have not been expected company, his company was welcomed. Her first assumption seemed to be correct: he wasn't there to cause any trouble. ”Might as well,” she thought to herself, ”Maybe he will turn out to be interesting..."

Leaning back against the trunk behind her, the young lady took one final swig of her bottle and let out a refreshed: ”Ahhhh.” Satisfied with the amount she'd consumed, she removed the cork from her pocket and jammed it back inside the bottle. She was young, but she wasn't stupid; she was sitting with a guard, the idea of drinking more was ludicrous. Carefully placing the bottle beside her, she shifted to get more comfortable. Scooting her feet closer to her, she wrapped her arms around her legs, and placed her chin on her knees.

”So,” she asked once both of them were comfortable, ”I assume you came out here on patrol?”

Her young sense of curiosity quickly getting the best of her, she smiled shyly and asked: ”Have you found anything interesting so far?”

This was indeed the first time she'd ever actually engaged someone of the guard in conversation; however, she had always been curious what it was like to have such a job. To her, the thought of it seemed fairly stale; nevertheless, she'd met very many colorful characters throughout Land's Edge. The idea of interacting with the residents every day seemed to be the highlight, and the thought made the young girl smile. She could just imagine the stories this man could probably tell, the regulars he probably knew, and the criminal's he probably jailed. Maybe this man was just what Lyanah had been looking for...

[Captain Dawn]

The acceptance from the woman was a welcomed one though Dawn got that sense that she wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea. Dawn after all, even if he was a guard, was still a stranger to this woman. At this point of familiarity she knew nothing more of him than his outward appearance would speak of; the same could be said toward her. There was a talent in Dawn's mind to read others with great detail but the outward signs; scuffing of a persons palms, a broken nose or girt coated nails, could only tell him so much of a person. Beyond physical traits the inner workings of another's mind were hidden behind the mask of the mind. A barrier which was difficult to pierce and only would yield information that one sought, not all that could be found. It was all very possible that this woman was more fearsome under her skin than her current colors suggested. After all it wasn't very usual for a woman of her proportions to be dragging around a 30 pound war hammer nearly as big as herself.

It was actually when the woman moved off to one side that he had taken notice of the steel weapon leaning against the bark of the tree. As Dawn had moved forward in preparation to sit beside her the dull metal of the weapon to her left finally came into sight. At first Dawn wasn't sure what to make of the strange metal fragment that seemed to meld into the trees surface but as his eyes focused the objects true shape became clear. There was a humorous shake of Dawn's head as he glanced over the weapon that belonged to the rather petite woman. From a single glance Dawn had a good estimate of just how much the weapon weighed and was generally surprised she could carry such a weapon. One might think a person of her size would drag it about by the handle as they went and the thought had occurred to Dawn but seeing a lack of filth upon the weapons head he discard the note. Whoever this woman was she possessed a great deal of strength for her slim figure and size.

"Many thanks."

Dawn sighed with relief as he sank onto his knees as they pushed lightly into the soft, moist earth below.

Struggling with the metal brace wrapped around his leg it took a few moments for Dawn to be to able to flip about so that his back was now pressing against the trees surface. Coming to sit in the wet earth he sighed once more from the pressure being taken off his leg with this weight now being shifted to his rump. The sudden loss of weight from the injured leg caused a breath of relief for Dawn but it was like removing a bucket of water from a lake. Hand falling onto the scarred muscle Dawn's fingers began to work away to massage in damaged muscle into a relaxed state.

There had been a thought to ask the woman of the weapon she carried as he sat against the tree. He was sure that it would lead to a interesting story while he regained some endurance for the long walk back to his quarters. Before Dawn had the chance to pull breath it was the woman who beat him to the chase. It was two rapid fire questions that struck him from the side yet he wasn't caught off balance by them. Rather than respond immediately Dawn thought quietly for a moment, allowing for the cool rush of rain to wash over his mind.

"Yes. Fair enough weather for a patrol."

Dawn joked quietly with a light grin before continuing.

"As for today... it's been rather dull. The spirits of criminals are even dampened by the rains."

He mused to himself with his own words. The world always felt so sleepy on days like these, nothing ever seemed to get done, even crime rates dropped on such days.

"Maybe in a few weeks times, when the rains clear. Crime will surface once more when the sun does. Regardless of your station in life most of us would much rather sleep warmly on days like this."

Dawn suggested with his hand as he pointed out towards the fat droplets splashing onto the earths surface.

"The Light only knows I could go for a warm bed now."

Dawn shook his head from side to side with a musing tone to his voice.

"My boots have long since been soaked."

Sighing Dawn leaned his head back to glance up at the leaves above as they fluttered about with rain pattering their surface.

"How about yourself? Not usual to see someone of your status in such a way."

[Lyanah Vexforth]

Young Lyanah couldn't help but smile as the man spoke; to her, his words seemed wise, perhaps even coming off as a bit fatherly. It brought back a few painful memories of how her own father would speak with her; she'd always thought so highly of him. He was strong, smart, and kind, a perfect dad for a girl to have. But she'd lost that all long ago; not just her father, but her mother as well- both taken from her without any notice.

Nevertheless, the young woman was talented in hiding her own gloomy feelings. Pushing the sadness down deep inside her, she nodded in response, ”I guess I never really noticed, but you're right... “ she replied, letting out a sigh.

Maybe he was the kind of person that wanted to be in bed, but Lyanah was the opposite. Such a rainy day made things easy for her; when she was younger, rainy days like this were her main escape from a brutal childhood. Much as the guard pointed out, crime did seem to fall into slumber during such weather. These were the days the common bullies wouldn't set foot out of their house. She could basically do whatever she pleased without ever thinking twice about getting jumped, or hurt. The same could not be said for sunny days; some days so bad the young girl would hold up in her home for days after.

”Well, maybe it's awkward to say, seeing as your job is kinda dependent on it, but I hope that crime stays in its slumber for a few more days after this...” turning her gaze to him, she gave him a genuinely kind smile, ”That way you, and the rest of us, can take some time and get that rest for real.”

Quickly, she would be onto the next topic, as the man asked about what had brought her there. Her head gently leaned back against the tree trunk, her gaze raising back to the leaves, ”My status? Such a way?” she pondered, her right hand leaving the embrace of her legs, index finger raising to press against her soft lips as she thought. If he was referring to her as someone of high-class, he would be one of the first to do so; the things Lyanah was normally called having more to do with low-class trash, like vagabonds, or prostitutes.

”Unlike most, I actually kinda like this weather...” she told him after a moment of thought; giving him the chance to first clarify his question if he so chose to.

”The world is kinda a different place when its like this... Its like a beautiful disaster; you know?” Of course, there was no way to guarantee that the man had any idea what the young girl was trying to say; sometimes Lyanah rambled nonsense that just made her sound crazy.

”Quiet, but not silent. Peaceful, yet naturally chaotic. For me, its a perfect time to sit and think...” a small smile crossed her face, and her hand rose again to push a stray bang from her eyes, ”Well, that and I was pretty bored spending most my time in taverns... The only people you meet in them are not very...” pausing for a second as if to find the appropriate word, then continued, ”... great... I guess I kinda hoped to find someone, or something interesting...”

A laugh left her, her arms opening wide and motioning to the air around her, ”Maybe the weather isn't the ideal type to find something like that, but if not for that, than I wouldn't be sitting here, talking to you; would I?”

The teens since of purpose was twisted. She was a believer of fate-destiny. She believed her parents watched her from somewhere beyond the grave; silently pushing her to keep on living instead of searching for revenge. But she also felt empty inside most of the time; her lifestyle was hectic, to say the least. She lived the kind of life that gave her plenty of free time, but not any way to actually use it. As bad as she wanted to track down her parents killer, she also ached to live a normal life- something she'd hoped to grow out of years ago. Somehow, through all the bad she'd been through that was one of the constants... She felt as if she was still a child, just pretending to be an adult. And in reality, that was probably the truth.

[Captain Dawn]

A low chuckle came from Dawn's lips at the girls comments. The idea of having no crime within or around the cities walls would give himself and his men a lovely retreat from their day to day actives. On the other hand if such a trend continued for far to long Dawn would find himself bored and without an occupation. There was definite irony to be found in the profession which the captain had plunged into. For there to be a need for his service there had to be crime which it was his duty to stop but if he did his job to well he would find himself without one. The concept was an old one for people in his line of work, an idea without one true answer that could be found in a normal sit down. Without the threat of losing his occupation Dawn didn't really see a flawless, swift plan that could rid the city of criminal activity even if he had the cities full resources. Crime itself was like a disease. It always followed people and the more people the more that were infected. In reality criminal organization and petty law breakers were just an adaptive part of society as villages would slowly morph into grand cities with their protective walls. The simple truth to the matter was that there was no one answer to rid crime from the world without riding the world of cities, which were the hearts of civilizations. Of course without cities people could not flock to places to share ideas and improve upon life as a whole. Ying and yang, good and bad; there was a balance to all in life and Dawn knew that his job would never suffer as crime thrived off living cities.

"Think nothing of my profession. Where there are people crime will always follow, and there will always be someone willing to pay to stop it."

Dawn gave half smile towards the woman that seem to say 'It is what it is.'

With both the law and it violators resting in a sea of somberness that came with the falling skies it gave both forces time to relax, and plan for the coming days of warmth. It would be a endless battle for as long as civilization reigned in its mightiest of forms so taking a day or two off here and there wouldn't so much as leave a dent for what is to come.

Arriving at the point of his question he paused for a moment, his vision upon the girl as it seemed as she still had much more to say than she already had. Rather than interrupting the full flow of the conversation Dawn stowed away his unspoken thoughts and with a small circling motion of his hand he directed the woman to speak once more. Hair mashed against the trees bark with Dawn leaning back into natures rough embrace, his ears alive and directed towards the woman's words. As she talked Dawn simply closed his eyes as listened, soaking in her words and the soft droplets of rain that puddled into the earth. With his eyes still shut a toothy smile parted the man's face at the woman last comment. He always loved it when attractive women took notice of him even if it was in the slightest of ways.

"I suppose that is true enough."

He spoke softly, his fingers lightly tugging at the fine beard that ran the length of his jaw.

"Days like these are somber ones. They set the world into a trance state with everything and every one frozen in place. They give birth to deep thought, refresh the body and land for rougher days to come. But as relaxing in comfort as they might be nature does not give without taking. For when it rains here another land bakes in heat. Nature is a confusing, a cruel mistress who provides us with grain yet can just as easily flood a town."

Dawn let loose a low chuckle deep within his lungs at the irony of it all. When it came down to it the world itself was in a frail, yet firmly balanced state which was reflected in every aspect of life itself.

"Such things are beyond the two of us. A mere guard and a lovely enchantress. To dissemble and study the great mysteries of life I should have become a scholar, though I fear that, 'The pen is mightier than the sword" is not to be correct. Have you ever tried to slay a orc with a pen?"

And with that Dawn let loose a deep, long chuckle as he shook his head from side to side gently in humor.

"Take it on faith and my words that a pen would do little to harm such beast."

Dawn sighed allowing the last few trickles of humor to flow from his words before his body began to relax into the trees surface once again. This thoughts trailing backwards through the conversation they came to arrive back at the woman's previous comment towards her status.

"Your status- and I apologize now for what I say."

Dawn paused for a moment to allow his words to sink into the woman's thoughts.

"You are a confusing type outside the norms of society. Under the filth and caked earth there is a beauty there that is only found in those of noble blood yet one might never know with the aura of a drunkard you radiated."

His words, as they were often, were to the point and brass yet they were the uncensored truth in his voice.

"Again; I mean no ill feeling towards you but I find myself confused. Remove the grime and the bottle and I would believe to be looking upon a noble woman with wealth, and power. The mind behind the appearance is foreign from outside appearance as well. You are unchained, like a dove upon the wind.... I suppose the real question is; who are you?"

Taking the long way around to the original train of thought Dawn came full circle to the question he had been pondering for sometime.

[Lyanah Vexforth]

Again, the Captain's words were filled with fatherly wisdom; the young girl unable to keep a small smirk off her face. She liked this man already. Listening to his words, much as he had hers, the young girl nodded in agreement. Nature was indeed a cruel mistress, not afraid to be unbalanced, or unforgiving.

The deep conversation was the first young Lyanah had in a long time, the Captain one of the smartest people she'd met. Calling the young woman a “Beautiful Enchantress” brought a light shade of pink to her face, and drew a small chuckle from her throat, she was unused to such compliments, but they were not unwelcome.

Breaking the serious mood with a comment about a pen against an orc, Lyanah too joined the guard in a fit of laughter. It seemed that the man wasn't completely serious all the time; something the small blonde had been wondering since the beginning of their conversation. His next words, however brought a risen brow to the girls face as they sunk in. She was unsure as to what the man meant; was he planning to say something offensive then?

It wouldn't take long to get her answer. Her cheeks were touched with a darker shade of red as he spoke; there was a bluntness to his words, but he was also speaking from the heart. Revealing he was confused of her social placement, and once more complimenting her beauty, he asked the real question he'd probably been wondering the whole time: who was this young blonde girl sitting next to him?

Smiling, Lyanah's arms once again wrapped around her legs, fingers interlocking together, ”Who am I?” she echoed, her tone filled with a light humor towards the question. She'd been asking herself the same thing for quite some time now; however, she had yet to stumble across the appropriate answer. She was a nineteen-year-old woman, an orphan, a troublemaker, an unguided soul. Her sense of direction was clouded, her head filled with both childish wonder and the knowledge of the true, cold nature behind life.

Letting out a small giggle, she looked the man dead in the eye, and gave him a forced smile, ”What was it that you called me? A beautiful enchantress...” With a brief pause of thought she gave him a small nod, ”I like the sound of that... It almost sounds like something from a fairy tale...”

Leaning her head against the tree trunk once more, her gaze would return to the thick leaved branches, and then extend upwards into the heavens. There was still a smile on her face; however, it was now obvious it was being forced, ”I guess I am a young woman that lost her way long ago...” she answered, letting out a sigh. ”A noble with wealth, I am not. Perhaps I indulge a little bit, but just as a temporary escape from the cold reality of life... I suppose I am not low-class, but I am not of noble blood either... I am just a girl who walks the thin life between the two...”

Her gaze dropped from the sky and set once again on the guard beside her. Twisting lightly, the young girl extended a hand and a kind smile. ”Simply put, you may call me Lyanah,” she told him, ”And what might I call you?”

[Captain Dawn]

Dawn couldn't help but allow a faded grin to break upon his face as he caught glimpse of rising color to the womans cheeks. He couldn't pass up a chance to make a lovely young woman blush in the slightest when opportunity arose, which seemed to be in greater number in recent days. His words towards the lovely woman were uncensored and unbiased as was his usual mannerisms. Dawn had never taken to the ideology of lying to another regardless if his words were coarse and swift like a aged blade. The man had always thought his honesty was one of his finer points even if it had gotten him into many scraps over the years; some people just couldn't face the truth.

Arriving at his long awaited question Dawn turned his gaze onto the woman who sat as his side to watch and listen in a following silence after her mirroring words of his own. There was the lightest touches of humor in her voice as she repeated what Dawn had asked giving him a starting impression that her life was one filled with joy and carelessness but the longer the silence grew between them the more his thoughts drifted away from the original idea.

Now turning to face towards Dawn their eyes locked on one another as a grin spread across her face. Having worked with criminals for so many years the captain had become accustomed to lies and at the moment her smile appeared he knew it was one. There was a flake of concern over the gracing smile that she wore but Dawn would speak nothing of it for the time being if at all. Some secrets were best left locked behind doors that were never meant to swing yet Dawn yearned for a deeper discovery. A mind always caught up in work it was hard for Dawn to see people as they were and not fragments of information that would unlock what they had done or what they will do.

The fainest touches of red could be seen forming upon Dawn's wet cheeks with the girl mimicking his words he had used to describe her. In truth Dawns words often fell from his mouth absent mindlessly when he spoke of others and it wasn't until later that he actually complied what had been said by him. The tint was quick to fade with the slightest shrug of his shoulder. If it had been said then it was the truth, he told himself, and it didn't seem that it bothered her in the slightest.

Dawn felt as though he could add his own comment if he chose to at the moment yet he stalled his mouth instead. There would be plenty of time to converse with his lovely young woman. For now he would let her lead the flow of the conversation and continue in her speech, after all he was still curious as to who she really was. He had to admit, when he started off this morning he hadn't imagined the dismal day turning turning about in such a manner. It was a pleasant, if unexpected surprise. 

As she continued to talk Dawn sat quietly, the cool rain flowing across his exposed legs and half armor. His assumptions about the girl had been correct in at least some degrees... or at least Dawn thought. She spoke in riddles which caused a small furrow to form upon his forehead from thought. From what he could obtain it appeared that she was a happy go lucky girl who loved for nothing more than having fun but was caught up in the harsh reality of life.

"Aren't we all."

Dawn thought to himself wistfully, images of his more youthful days appearing in his mind as he thought.

"Cryptic aren't we?"

The captain spoke, his head cocked off towards one side with a sly grin filled with a warming humor.

"I would believe most feel as you do. We all seem to search for a way to break from the chilling embrace that reality brings. Some it's the bottle. Others it needless spending. And some just eat till they can no longer walk."

Dawn sighed as he shifted his weight uncomfortably back and forth his thoughts causing him some grief.

Coming to face him once more Dawn came face to face with the woman's extending hand in greeting. Dawn smile slightly with some humor thinking that the time for formal greetings had long passed but none the less would do the same.

"Well then-"

Dawn paused, his hand come out to lightly take a hold of Lyanah's hand but instead of shaking it in the normal manner he brought it up to his face, giving the back of her hand the lightest kiss.

"Lady Lyanah, it is a pleasure to meet you."

He would hold onto her warm hand for a few seconds afterwards before gently releasing his grip from her.

"I'm a Dawn, Captain of the Guard."

He would finish with a slightly awkward bow from his waist up but being that he was sitting it didn't amount to all that much of a gesture leaving him with a light chuckle.

[Lyanah Vexforth]

The comment of her being cryptic was enough to turn her bright red. Quickly glancing to the bottle beside her she rose a brow; perhaps this liquid fire was indeed the tender’s best. She knew she tended to ramble even more when she was impaired. ”Maybe I am a little more drunk than I thought.” she said, second guessing herself.

It was a short-lived feeling, the Captain completely catching her off guard with his next moves. Taking her hand in his, he brought it to his lips and kissed it. Lyanah’s face began to glow, and she shifted her body a little. She was definitely not used to being treated like this and it showed, but that was short lived, a pleased smirk crossing her face as he released her hand. Pulling it back to her, she watched him bow as best he could, unable to hold back her smile. To her, he came off as quite the gentleman and she was genuinely impressed.

Over her years of living near the Land’s Edge, she’d heard plenty of stories about the guard and their abusing their power. It seemed like everywhere one went; there was someone there to blast them. Nevertheless, here Lyanah was, her first real interaction with someone of the guard- a Captian, no less- and she could find no flaws in him. The way he spoke, the way he carried himself, the way he acted, all contradicting the stories she’d heard.

”The pleasure is all mine, Dawn!~” she told him, giving him a friendly nod.

She was glad to have met this man; he may not have known it, but his speaking with her was helping give her new perspective. She had needed this, more than even she had realized.

”So, Captain?” she cooed teasingly, ”Might I accompany you on the rest of your patrol?” she asked, her tone playfully and energetic one that, hopefully, Dawn couldn’t deny. She had yet to have her pleading denied, and she didn’t plan to start now.

”Once you are feeling rested, that is. I mean, I wouldn't mind some company out on my way towards the west gate...” glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, she smiled. She didn't want to keep him from his duties, but she was enjoying his company. And the fact that'd she'd have a strong body-guard on the way out of town would definitely be a plus. Of course, the main attraction to the idea the thought of seeing him in action, that childish wonder of exploring the idea of a being guard: A front seat look into the life of.

[Captain Dawn]

Dawn was by no means a young man any longer, in all likelihood his life was probably half way over with. From the scars that left marks upon his skin like story's, to the weary black lines under his eyes the man had experienced much from the great gift of life. Countless lives had been taken by the steel which he brandished and on few occasion his own life had been in the same position. At the time he had always thought skill had been his kindred spirit that led him away from danger, as he grew older he learned it had been shear, stupid luck. A missed killing strike, a glint of sun in his opponents eyes or just an off footed step upon freshly wet soil took him from the reapers blade. It had always been luck which saved him time and time again, yet nothing in life gives freely without asking for something in return.

The dreary thought passed through Dawn's mind as he gazed over the blushing form of Lyanah and couldn't help but smile at her rather stupidly like a young lad does at their crush. He had to admit, he rather enjoyed the company of this young woman and the some what forwardness of it all. Aside from the typical low class drunkards he would usually meet in the dank bars he often resided in, Dawn hadn't spent much time in the company of woman. It was a nice change from the norms of his life and he would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy it. It was just that which caused him to recoil some what from the situation. Dawn wasn't one you would call superstitious, but somewhere in his life he had taken to believing that luck and all good things run out at a point. He had been given his life in exchange for a leg and had given up so much more for his position as Captain of the Guard. What would he have to give up to be in the presence of a lovely young lady for an hour... or longer if things went that way.

At her sudden query Dawn took a moment to think about what she was asking. Jokingly Dawn felt somewhat insulted what her jest about his need to rest. If need be he could travel for mile after mile without the need to rest regardless whether his leg complained or not. Of course her words were merely that of concern towards him. Till this point she hadn't made any hint towards his battered leg that was trapped in its metal cage. Whether she hadn't taken notice of it or simply thought bringing it up would have put an ill ease on their conversation, he wasn't quite sure. Either way Dawn was grateful towards her for not doing so. Those who did not know of his story or had never heard of him before it was generally their first point of conversation. Over time Dawn had grown more accustomed to having people ask about his condition. In the first few years of his crippled state there had been a few times where anger took over a better mind and Dawn sent people to the hospital in shambles. Had Lyanah been really been mocking his about his condition he might have stormed off but the playful muse in her soft voice told him that there was none to be found.

"I may be a few years your elder but it doesn't mean I'm a old codger" He chuckled at her comment about his resting state.

Dawn wasn't one to complain about things he could not change, such as the pain which constantly flooded his wounded limb. The pain was just something he had to live with and even a few hours resting under this tree wouldn't coax the pain much. Regardless of whether the woman tagged along with him towards the western gate or not he would still have to venture away from this spot at some point this day.

"I do have my duties to attend to... and I wouldn't want to stray away from what I am honor bound to do...." Dawn paused with his chin resting upon a closed hand.

"On the other hand the honor bound oath doesn't say when I have to get such tasks done and I do make my own schedule." Dawn chuckled to himself at the small loop whole he would sometimes use when the occasion called for it.

A lively grunt came through Dawn's lips as he started to stand from his sitting position though it proved some what difficult with his caged leg as it was. Using the strength of his one good leg and the support of the trees base he inched his way up its rough exterior until he was once again standing upright. Dawn had never found the activity of standing from such a position very easy and did his best to avoid it. Getting up was rather clumsy on him and Dawn prided himself in looking some what regal and in command while on duty. 

Taking a moment to gather himself up again he would turn about and offer his extended hand towards Lyanah in a gesture to aid her onto her feet. She had consumed quite a bit of the spirit which was contained in the bottle and most likely something else before arriving. It was all possible that she might have a hard time standing on her own so Dawn thought it best to aid her if she needed it.

"Shall we then?"

[Lyanah Vexforth]

Lyanah smiled as he took a stand and offered her a hand. Her cheeks once again flushed a light pink as she took his hand, and hauled herself to her feet. Turning, she would snatch up her liquor, trying a string looped around the bottle to her belt. Though she couldn’t deny being a little impaired, her movements retained a certain amount of grace to them, however over exaggerated they might have actually been. Right hand gently grasping around the hilt of her hammer, she picked it up, and looked the string over her shoulder, the brutal weapon hanging loosely on her back.

Brushing some mud from her clothing, she would nod her head, and step up next to the captain, ”Let’s go!” she exclaimed with a bright smile. Stepping forwards, a cool breeze would roll in, making the young girl shiver. Rubbing her arms, she let out a light sigh, and then looked up at the captain. Suddenly, without and warning, the young lady would gently take hold of his arm and press closely against him for warmth, letting out a light giggle.

Now only a slight drizzle and light winds, the weather was undoubtedly going to worsen before nightfall. Living a few hours out of Lands Edge, in the Shimming Fields, Lyanah was well aware she’d have to leave the city soon to make it home in time to shut the cows in the barn before the storm really hit. Of course, the walk back to the farm would be a lonely one; there was no reason she couldn’t enjoy the company of another until then.

”So, Captain? Might there be any news in the air here lately?” she asked with a curious eye. Being a Captain, he was likely more informed than your basic civilian; of course, the young lady understood that there were things the man likely couldn’t share, but living out in the country, she wasn’t exactly the greatest in keeping informed with the recent events, and comings and goings in the busy metropolis.