Post by Theodren Galanos on May 6, 2009 14:27:32 GMT -6
Ada = The run of good weather continued, and Ada was anxious to leave her shop and enjoy a little bit of it before it went away again. She'd heard Scotland's weather changed frequently, and would hate to miss a nice, warm day with a gentle, salty-smelling breeze. Though she'd spent a good portion of her day transferring seedlings to larger pots with Miss Janice, her feet needed to move, and there wasn't enough space in her entire shop to satisfy her demands. So she temporarily left Janice in charge and stopped off at the Briar Rose for a bit of conversation with Rose. Her teas were selling well, which impressed Ada a little, admittedly. Talking to Rose reminded Ada that she hadn't seen Ren yet, though Rose wasn't much in the habit of keeping tabs on the Greek, unless he was in his room -- which he was not. Ada thanked the woman and hurried out, a little perplexed as to where the man could be. How often did he go hunting? Would he mind if she sought him out? She wasn't really certain yet what limits there were on their relationship, though was trusting enough that when he came to her shop, she didn't worry about where he had been. A wiser, or perhaps more suspicious, woman would have asked a few important questions much earlier, but Ada scoffed at these women, in her slightly arrogant and perfectly innocuous French way. It was then that she ran into his sister the Ranger, and after a few interesting words, Ada had directions for the beach. Smiling, she set off to meet him.
Ren = The brother and sister duo had spent the day on the sands of the beaches, doing what else --fighting. Though... it was sparring for training, not family issues. After a couple hours of going at it with one another, Danae needed to take her leave and head back to Ebony Hall once she checked in with her regiment. Ren was left to his own devices, doing whatever it was that Ren did when alone. He opted to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach relaxing, especially since he was already here. Though, once Danae left he was able to not only remove his shirt but other articles of clothing and take a dip in the ocean. It was warm enough now and he they had chosen a spot that was fairly secluded as to better focus. The large Greek male was taking the time not only to cool off from the exercise he just took part in, but to rid his body of the sand that clung to it.
Ada = Danae had mentioned a landmark Ada was reasonably familiar with, and so the fact that the beach was empty near the docks posed no problem for the healer, who simply took off on a hike across the hard-packed sands to look for the oddly-shaped boulder. Ada had cleaned up since gardening, taking a bath that seemed to soothe all the muscles that cramped up while taking care of the delicate plants, as well as washing away the dark soil that had smudged even in her hair -- heaven knew how that had happened! The marks on her elbows were easy enough to understand, but her hair? Then again, even Ada understood unconscious habits were precisely that -- unconscious. She must have been playing with her hair even while it was tied up in a knot behind her head, not even brushed since Ren finished playing with it the night before. She came upon the secluded beach, and rather than join the darker skinned man in the water, Ada made a comfortable spot for her bum in the sand and took a seat, pulling her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around them, dark eyes glittering as she watched Ren in the shallows.
Ren = Modesty was not an issue for the man- well... not with anyone but his sister of course. He continued to wade out further and further, the water coming up to his broad chest by now and as the waves swayed gently he took to diving under a couple times. When he came up, the afternoon sun made his already dark skin glisten as the water beaded and raced down the exposed flesh. When he turned to look back toward his things on the beach, he spotted someone sitting comfortably and watching. He smirked to himself and began to make his way back to the sand. When he reached her, he smiled and reached down to take up his clothes beside her. ``What a nice surprise.`` He said as he would at least put on his breeches for now. ``What brings you out here?`` He asked her with a grin as he took a seat beside her.
Ada = "The scenery," she teased in response, letting go of her knees and leaning back on her hands as she let him dress. "I met your sister," she added, unable to keep the information to herself, and laughing a bit at how similar they were in attitude. There were a lot of questions Ada might have asked, that probably would have made more sense than the one she decided on, but she merely patted a spot next to her for him to sit down, and went with, "Your mother must have been an exceedingly tall woman. And your father, obviously. Do you often have trouble going through doorways?" She wanted to flick a few droplets of water off of his face, but where that led would only get both of them full of sand in places where sand should not be. So she refrained, but only just barely. He really was too beautiful not to harass. "I hope I am not intruding?"
Ren = The big man had to chuckle as he looked from her out to the waves and nodded. ``It can be a very nice thing to sit and enjoy awhile.`` He replied, though, whether he was referring to her watching him as she had been, or the waves was up to her to decide. He looked back to her and arched a brow at the mention of his sister. ``That must have been interesting for you.`` He said with a chuckle. ``Did you tell her about us?`` asked the hunter, simply out of curiosity. ``Not that I mind either way whether she or anyone else knows, but I just like to make things difficult for her.`` he jested. Truth was, he hoped Danae would have to do a little investigating herself, just as she had him doing in trying to find out who the Commander was spending all her time with. If anyone could see the whole picture here, they would most likely find it amusing. Siblings keeping information from the other about whom they were with, all just to irritate and aggravate one another. The joys of brotherly and sisterly love. ``Yes, both our mother and father were tall, and though Danae took more after my mothers looks, she still managed to get father's eyes.`` He commented before shrugging a little. ``I get into all sorts of trouble with my size...`` He answered with a chuckle before shaking his head at her last inquiry. ``Of course not, I was just thinking of coming to visit you myself. The reason for my little dip in the ocean.`` said with a little smile.
Ada = "And I am enjoying," she assured him, patting his thigh lazily before returning her weight and the hand behind her. "I only asked where you were, and she said to find you by that rock. She did not ask why I was looking for you." Ada had no idea about brotherly or sisterly love, or really the friendly competition between them. She'd come close with Benoit's apprentice, but the end of their relationship was punctuated with malice even Ada was not capable of diffusing. But she was glad to hear that he did not mind if Danae knew, and that it was more a matter of competition than anything involving Ada. "You and Danae look similar. I thought it was the eyes. Next time, I'll compare you side by side." With a little smile of her own, she canted her head to look at him again. "Ah, and you were in the process of making yourself so neat and clean for me! Well. I appreciate it." She shifted to her side and placed a kiss to his cheek. "What were you doing here?" The sand was all stirred up, obvious even to Ada, who could not know how to track a boar through underbrush even if it was all matted in a singular direction, pointing the way. Herbs and mushrooms, she could find in a heartbeat, but animals were not her domain.
Ren = The Greek male continued to hold his grin with her replies. He was surprised to learn that Danae had not asked more questions on Ada's need to find him. Just about everything was a competition of some sort between the two and of course it was always in good fun. ``Yes, I look more like our father, but kept the darker eyes of our mother.`` He said as he looked back out to the waves a moment. Then came a nod with another grin. ``I was trying... `` He said before looking back to her only to have her lean in and place a kiss to his cheek. The grin he already wore only grew a little and replied. ``You're welcome.`` The Greek male then looked to where he and Danae had done their training and answered her question. ``We were only sparring... training, fighting. Whatever one wishes to call it these days. Hand to hand combat and with our weapons as well. It helps her let go of any frustrations and pent up aggression or whatever, keeps me fit. We both get something out of it along with enjoying beating each other up.`` He said with a chuckle.
Ada = "She won't sneak into my apartment and wait for me to come home to ask all of her questions, will she?" She was teasing. Of course. Right? "Your sister is a little intimidating. But she seems very nice, and I am sure she cares about you a great deal. As you care about her." She wasn't certain if Ren knew how frequently he brought up Danae in regular conversation. Ada felt as though she already knew the Ranger, which was pleasant in its own way. "Mm. I did not know you enjoyed beating others up." She grinned and let her eyes go back out to the ocean rather than meet his. "I think I'd enjoy seeing you fight. What do you think? I'll pick someone I know you can beat, and voila! And if I make a mistake and he hits you instead, well, isn't it your luck you're in the company of one of Skye's finest healers?" She cleared her throat. "Sorry. All teasing aside." For now, anyway. Ada wouldn't voice all the jokes she had in store, most of which were completely inappropriate. They shared a lot, but not everything, and Ada's internal filter was, despite the obvious signs to the contrary, actually pretty aggressive. "Do you have a preferred weapon?"
Ren = The hunter laughed with a shake of his head. ``No... she knows better. And if she were to become so bold, I would just have another excuse to make her wish she hadn't.`` He teased, though, there was of course some degree of truth behind those words of his. ``Unfortunately she comes across like that to everyone. It's a front... don't let her scare you. Her bark is worse than her bite... most days.`` He said with a smirk before looking back to her. ``She is nice, does have a few manners despite what others might think. As I said, a lot of what she does is just to uphold a certain image. Her reasons? I have my assumptions but a brother doesn't know everything about his sister. And yes, we have a funny way of showing it, but we do care a great deal about one another.`` No, Ren didn't realize he talked about his sister as much as he did, only thought it was typical conversation stuff and nothing more. Ren then shrugged a little. ``I only like to beat others up when its her.... `` He paused. ``Okay, maybe a few others too, but only when it's for the right reasons. I'm no bully, and don't go looking for fights. I just always find myself in them.`` He said with a smirk. Ren arched both brows then in an amused manner, a little surprised to hear her say how she might like to see him fighting someone, but then laughed as she shared the rest of her thoughts on that subject. ``Don't make it to easy for me, I do like a challenge you know...`` he jested and then nodded. ``And I think I am a very lucky man, should I get injured... I am in good hands.`` He said with a wry grin. Ren didn't mind her jokes or aggressiveness. In fact... it was a couple of the reasons he liked her so much.
Ada = "Good hands. Sexy hands," she joked. "But I am glad you agree." She tilted her face back to catch a breeze against it. She was warm from working outside today, and the cooler air felt wonderful against her skin. "I had hoped that was what your sister was like. But I'll have, no doubt, chances to see for myself that this is true, non?" She glanced at him, then. "I know you would only fight someone when it is worth it. I was joking. But I really would like to see you, just once -- I think...." Her cheeks colored, but she had enough humor not to deny it, grinning again and giving him another pat on the thigh. "I think it would be very nice for me." With a laugh, she nudged that thigh and then placed the hand behind her again, rolling her shoulders back to feel the muscles stretch out. Stars, had she been hunched over all day? She really needed an apprentice. Running in and out of the garden, minding the still, taking care of her patient, and dealing with her shop was running her ragged. Not that it showed, really -- Ada always seemed to have boundless energy. Particularly when motivated to be energetic. If she stayed on the sand as she was now, she would fall asleep, so she climbed to her feet and batted her skirts free of sand. "Can you teach me something? Something basic, so I won't hurt myself? Or fall and embarrass myself? You may think you know me, but I am very ungraceful, cat."
Ren = Ren chuckled and nodded before he watched her catch the breeze by tilting her face into it. He smiled, not knowing it and absently nodded to the following comment. He then blinked, and then smirked a little before he nodded in agreement once more. ``I know you were.`` He replied before giving a little shrug of his shoulders. ``I am sure you will have a chance to see it, likely sooner than later.`` He teased as he saw the color in her cheeks. This of course along with her own laugh had him doing much the same. Ren saw how tense she was, knowing it so just by her movements. The man made a mental note to treat her to something later tonight perhaps. At her question while she stood to her feet, his head canted to one side and he looked to her from the side. ``I can show you something basic. `` He said with a nod before he moved to stand to his own feet. His large hands came to dust the sand from his breeches, leaving his shirt on the ground for the moment. Ren stood behind her and spoke. ``Say someone decided to attack you from behind like this.`` He wrapped an arm about her neck, his elbow and part of his forearm resting under her chin. ``Even if they might hold a weapon in the other hand, what you can do is elbow them if possible with the force behind your dominate arm.`` He paused a moment before he continued. ``Then, while they are distracted by that move, you can stomp as hard as possible on their foot using the force behind your strongest leg.`` He paused. ``As soon as that has taken effect, if you want to take it a step further, using the same elbow, aim for the head that's most likely lowered as the attacker is now hunched over since he either lessened his hold or released you completely. Then you're free to run away...hide... get help.`` He added before he began to guide her through the steps himself in a slow motion.
Ada = She was a little nervous about learning to fight, but it never hurt a woman to learn to defend herself. She had done quite nicely in chasing off thieves and dissuading potential suitors fresh off the ships and looking for an easy lay. But after a while, the good folks of Paris had learned not to mess with the knife-wielding healer. She worried, though, about other events in her life, and how she was to escape then, if luck had not been on her side. She worried about fires even after all this time. So when he came in behind her, she didn't make any jokes. Nor did she press her hips back against him and suggest they do something more entertaining. She was oddly serious about this request, and listened to him with the utmost attention, visualizing what he told her, murmuring the instructions unless she forgot. He walked her through the steps, and obviously, she did not use the same amount of force she would use on a real attacker, but it was to gain comfort with the motions, not cripple Ren. "And if he comes from the front?" she asked next. "I promise, last one, and then we can go and get something for supper. I do not want to get you sweaty when you just washed up." She swept a few fly-aways out of her face, and hope he was up to one more demonstration.
Ren = He was glad to see she was a little more comfortable with going through the motions than perhaps most women might have been. He knew majority didn't like fighting or violence, but to him, their was a difference between that and defending yourself. Ren nodded in an approving manner, letting her know she was doing each motion correctly and gave her the encouraging words one might need when learning something like this. At her question on what to do should someone attack from the front, he sort of shrugged with arched brows. ``That all depends on whether or not the attacker yields a weapon and how quick you are.`` He thought a moment. ``But in any case, the basic idea is to know how to place your feet -- know where to move and when. Of course you want to avoid anything that's coming at you, fist or weapon.`` He turned her to face him, took two steps back. ``Lets say I'm the attacker, you see me coming at you, most likely you will have to side step one way or the other, depending on which hand I am going to use or which hand holds a weapon. You can even duck if you must, just be quick. Use the elbow again and aim for the ribs while maybe positioning a foot as so to trip the attacker.`` He would again go through the moves with her, slowly, letting her get the feel of it.
Ada = She wouldn't be Ada if she didn't make a joke at inappropriate occasions. "It is harder from the front," was her lame attempt, obviously not her greatest quip. But after that, it was all business, attempting to place from which direction Ren would move, though he made it rather easy, and went with her when she attempted to either trip him or use an elbow. Unfortunately, if she was getting sandy, he must be too, and by the time they were finished, she was sweating in addition. So much for the bath she took earlier. At least she smelled sweet as she dashed away from him, like neroli and musk. "Thank you," she offered when they had both come to a stop, smiling slightly. "I never did learn to properly do any of those things, though you get quick with a knife in certain areas of Paris. It is a good thing to know." And because she wasn't a traditional student by any means, she hugged him, arms wrapping around his back and cheek pressed to his bare chest in gratitude. But she couldn't think of much more to say, uncertain why she had asked now for him to teach her these things, or why she had revealed to him her particular form of worship, just that she felt immensely at ease around him. He made her feel at home no matter where they were.
Ren = He would chuckle a little with her attempt of a quip and nodded. ``All things are harder to face head on.`` He replied as they went through the motions. Once they were done, he stepped back, dusted what little sand was on him, off. It was nothing, just meant he would have to take a real bath and he didn't mind that at all. The Greek male looked to her when she thanked him and he nodded with a soft smile. ``You're welcome.`` He said, before she explained to him her defense mechanism when in Paris. She hugged him and he hugged her back. Ren didn't mind showing her or anyone else how to defend themselves, especially women. Unfortunately he knew they were considered the easiest prey and unless you were woman of Danae's caliber or relatively close, most either were killed or seriously injured. He pulled back from her at arms length and looked to her, smiled and then kissed her cheek before he released her, stepped back to slid on his boots, put on his shirt and gather his things. ``Now... what is it we might be finding ourselves doing next?`` He asked with a grin.
Ada = "Food," she responded promptly, as if there was no other option in the world. She took his hand in her own and twined her fingers amongst his. They were so oddly matched in size, but when it came to holding hands, his were just right for covering her own. Though food was the priority, they didn't seem in any particular hurry as they walked back toward the city, Ada causing their arms to swing between them. Were it not for the rather low cut of her dress and the occasional flash of ankle, due to skirts being tucked into her belt to make walking in sand easier, they might have been a courting couple out for a stroll. "We could go to the Briar Rose, or anywhere you like, I do not mind. I feel like making a meal of bread and cheese again. I do love cheese," she added with a glint of humor, stepping out onto the beginnings of the lane leading to the harbor. There was a new ship in, the flags waving merrily, announcing an origin in France. This surprised Ada -- France was at war with England, and though England was on the run from Skye, it was a brave thing to do, sailing up through the Irish Sea and along England's coast. Not many of her countrymen made it to Skye for that very reason. She herself had crossed from Scotland after walking and hitching her way through England, pretending she was dumb and mute for most stops, for a French accent was akin to mispronouncing Shibboleth these days. "Unless there is French cheese to be had?" she asked, and with a quirked brow asking him if he wished to investigate, they changed direction slightly toward that ship.
Ren = Ren nodded and chuckled, though he agreed.. Food and drink definitely sounded like a very good idea.They held hands, fingers twined and occasionally their was a swinging motion with the linked hands and arms. ``The Briar sounds good, or if there is some place else you would rather go to, we can do that too. At the moment, I'm willing to go anywhere so long as their food is good and the drink is better.`` He jested as they continued on their walk. The hunter did notice all the busy men on the docks and at Ada's words, glanced to her. A slight shrug was made and he nodded softly, willing to go along with her want of investigating the newly arrived ship and it's reason for being here.
Ada = They were nearing the ship's lowered gangplank when Ada caught sight of a very familiar face. "Let's go to the Briar," she said quickly, stopping as precisely as a soldier, and perfecting a neat quarter-turn that temporarily pulled them apart -- yet he remained faced in the other direction, and she went stumbling back into him. She became a little more insistent that they not go anywhere near that ship or the man she had recognized, and even if he was about to go along with her change of plans, it was too late. The man had easily spotted Ada in the crowd. Fishwives and the girls that hung around the quay looked older, somehow, though Ada dressed precisely in the same fashion -- covered just enough to avoid chastisement by more respectable members of society, but only just barely. Seeing his critical look of her exposed shins, though, she untucked the skirts gathered in her belt until even her shoes were hidden in their fall. "Gauthier," she greeted, temporarily abandoning Ren to give her former co-apprentice the traditionally French greeting, though it was uncomfortable putting a kiss to either of Gauthier's jowly cheeks.
Gauthier = He had grown sideburns since last they met, and they flattered his face, even as they made him look a good ten years older than his twenty-seven years. He was perfectly ordinary looking, the perfect Gallic peasant, though he was dressed as a journeyman in clothes that weathered well and did not need a woman's touch to look their best. Gauthier, despite the cordial greeting, responded by grabbing Ada's ear between his fingers, causing her to duck down low to avoid the pinching, flapping her arms in an effort to escape. He rattled off a litany of French curses, to which she responded by stomping hard on his foot, though her skirt fabric caught in the effort, and the resulting tearing sound caused several dock workers to stop and watch the spectacle. But Gauthier was no fool -- once he had said what he wished to say in French, he inclined his head politely to the large Greek, though he still held Ada's ear in his hand. "You are sleeping with this one, monsieur?" he asked, the bushy brows over his eyes arching.
Ren = He nodded as she suggested the Briar and was moving with her until she stopped and turned like she had, making the part. The Greek male looked from her to the ship and back, his eyes narrowing and then lowering in thought before he looked back to Ada. He knew something or someone she saw was the reason behind this one-eighty and soon found out when a man called to her. Ren stood back a couple paces behind her, watching as Ada and the man greeted with one another and spoke in their language. Ren of course was already sizing the man up, just in case, and he almost laughed as he hardly looked threatening. However, Ren knew better than to under-estimate people so continued to be observant and pre cautious. However, when the man decided to take Ada by the ear, their was no holding back and Ren stepped up, letting large hands take hold of the mans forearm and hand. His fingers worked Gautheir's free from Ada's ear and with a death grip, glared at the man with his dark eyes. ``It is none of your business if I am or not, but you won't be handling her like that again. If you do, you lose your arm after I rearrange your face.`` He replied as he had yet to release the man's arm. He looked to Ada. ``Are you alright?`` He asked before looking back to the offender while awaiting her reply.
Ada = "You son of a goat's whore," Ada offered helpfully in French, holding her ear in one hand, but a ripped skirt and a sore ear was not enough to keep her from giving Gauthier a swift kick in the shin. She knew all manner of offensive curses in her native tongue, and had yet to find any nearly as effective in English. It lacked a certain delicacy and logic, and when a Frenchwoman cursed your mother's chastity, particularly with barn animals, it simply sounded elegantly profane. "I am fine, Ren. If he does not take a swing at you, you can let him go. Gauthier, this is my friend Ren. Ren, Gauthier was an apprentice of Master Benoit, the man who taught me nearly everything I know. Gauthier, please apologize to me so that Ren does not throw you in the water." Ada could sound very clinical when she wished, and she did so now, rubbing her ear briefly, though it continued to burn from the twisting.
Gauthier = Gauthier grumbled under his breath, but the man had his arm held so tightly, anything he might have said would have sounded too tense to decipher. Until finally, he looked to Ada, and did as she told him to do. "Will you accept my most profound apologies, Adelaide?" he asked, shifting his weight to one leg so that he could nurse the one she'd kicked. "I did not ask you to be rude, monsieur. There is much you should know about Ada's past if you wish to keep your pecker from falling off," he couldn't resist adding. "A pleasure, Monsieur Ren."
Ren = Dark eyes never left the mans face while Ada retaliated with her curses and kicking. The grip remained just as firm even after hearing Ada say she was okay. ``That's right... apologize , so I don't kill you and leave you for the residential fishermen to use your corpse as bait.`` He added as he waited for the man to do as Ada suggested. He even emphasized he meant business by bending the man's fingers back to apply the very uncomfortable tension to them. When the man did as was suggested, Ren released his hold of him with both hands and stepped back to Ada's side. ``It doesn't matter how you meant it... it was uncalled for.`` He said as he continued to stare daggers at the man. ``And what I do with my pecker, as you put it, is my business.`` Ren glanced to Ada then and looked back to Gauthier. ``I can't exactly say the same...`` He replied when the man spoke on it being a pleasure to meeting him. His arms folded over his broad chest and looked between the two for a moment, remaining silent and allowing the two continue with whatever. And if he saw a need to step in again, he wouldn't hesitate or nor would he hold back this time.
Ada = "What are you doing here?" Ada asked, glad when Ren came back to her side. She never felt properly armed going into conversations with Gauthier. But they never really had conversations, did they? He had always been so vengeful and full of hatred toward her, and while he had always had reason, she was not certain where they stood now. Ada had inherited and Gauthier had been released to find his own way in the world, despite his father's investment. Ada had kept company with princes and dukes, while Gauthier had emptied chamber pots at the shop and dusted the Master's old books. There was jealousy between them, and intense rivalry, but beneath it, there was no common ground, no underlying affection -- merely memories of Ada usurping Gauthier's place in Master Benoit's heart and purse.
Gauthier = The Frenchman was not nearly as tall as Ren, but he was not without his own strength. He was burlier now than he had been in youth. He'd filled out his frame, acne scars had faded into a ruggedness that some thought handsome, though his nose was bulbous and his jaw soft. When Ren released him, he grunted as blood flowed sharply back into his arm and fingers. He wanted, very desperately, to push Ada into the water and watch her drown, but Gauthier had a sense of self-preservation that was a bit scary at times. "No, perhaps not, but my mother raised me to be polite." He let his eyes rest next on Ada, moving from her nose to her ripped skirts, back to her chest, and then finally, disdainfully, to her face. "I came to collect herbal specimens for a treatise," he explained. "But I also wished to bring you one last letter from Master Benoit." He fished in his pocket for a piece of paper. He saw her eyes widen in wonder and amazement, her hand stretch out, but then he smiled coolly. "He wrote nothing before he burned, witch. You know he was placed in the thieves' hole with the rest of Paris's heretics and criminals. I have no desire to speak with you further. Good day." He inclined his head sharply, went to find the porter who was standing near his belongings, grabbed the two big bags and marched off, rapidly disappearing into the crowd.
Ren = The large Greek hunter continued to stand by, watching the man with an intense gaze that never once let up. Ren's eyes never left him even when Ada spoke. He wanted this man to know he was watching him and watching him like a hawk. As he stood in place he listened to the two speak, seeing it was something of a business nature it seemed. At the man's remark about being raised to be polite, Ren smirked. ``Obviously she failed... especially when you find yourself in a new land and go to insult a woman in the manner you did.`` He replied, keeping his cool for the moment, the tone of his voice never once raised in pitch to let on how pissed he was even now. The hunter went back to remaining quiet and listened while he watched Gauthier fish for something in his pocket, but produced nothing and then went as far as insulting Ada again by calling her a witch. That was it - he had, had enough of this man's foolishness and when he began to move off, a quick and strong, large hand snapped up and gripped the man by the throat. His hold so tight, he could hear Gauthier gagging, coughing, and gasping for air.
Ada = "Oh," was all Ada said as he failed to produce the letter. She did not even hear him insult her. To be honest, she didn't care what he called her, and in French, they had already run through a litany of much worse words. Was there a letter or was it a lie? Either way, it was like losing Benoit all over again. He had been the father she'd never known, the father who, unlike her own, had the courage to stay with his family, no matter how difficult circumstances became. She felt her heart drop into her stomach, which was, infuriatingly enough, precisely the response Gauthier had wished to leave her with. She shook her head slightly to clear out the ringing in her ears and watched him go. But no, he would not disappear like a Paris street rat -- Ren was too quick for that! She felt her heart creep back up to its usual place as Ren dragged the man backward by the throat and held tight.
Gauthier = He never hoped the witch from Embrun would intervene to save his life, but neither did he think she would be the reason his life was about to end. He dropped his bags and flailed his arms, before logic interceded and he grabbed onto the hand around his neck and attempted prising those sausage-sized fingers off of his windpipe. When that failed, he had no more air left with which to fight, and his feeble stomp on the Greek's foot was an utter failure. He began to see stars as his eyes lost blood flow, and then black crept in around what was left of his vision.
Ren = Quick indeed as the one hand held fast to what Ren considered a scrawny chicken neck, the other reached back behind him and pulled out his dagger. ``I think what I'll do first with you is tie you up, hang you upside down, let the blood rush to your head, then proceed to gut you and skin you alive. Then? Then I'll leave you for the scavengers....`` He said as he watched the man squirm within his death grip. His eyes burning with an intense hatred as his lips snarled with distaste. When the man tried to pry his fingers loose, the grip only tightened, the hand with the dagger came forward, popping a button or two from his clothing, then there was a sound of a rip, and then finally a slow insertion of a blade to the mans lower abdomen, purposely avoiding any areas of major organs. As soon as the man began to slowly grow limp, Ren dropped him, letting him land on his back once he pulled the dagger free.
Ada = "Gauthier?" She was worried, admittedly, what Ren would think of her when she ran to her tormentor's side. Gauthier might have no love lost for Ada, but Ada cared for him, despite everything -- despite a lot of things. Her heart was in such a strange place, but her face was empty of emotion as she peered over the man. Ten years! They were not friends and they were not siblings. They weren't quite enemies, not in Ada's mind. She did not know what he was to her, but watching him bleed to death.... No, that was not something she was capable of doing. She ripped open Gauthier's jerkin and un-tucked the tunic beneath, revealing the neat wound. Ren was professional, of course, which made the puncture that much more chilling. She rocked back onto her heels and held her head in her hands, just for a moment. Until she could see clearly again, and find some direction to the moral dilemma before her. Finally, she rolled down onto her knees and applied pressure. "We should take him home," she said quietly. "I will stitch him up." Ren, thus far, had been completely free of judgment. She hoped he stayed that way. She hoped he did not blame her for going to Gauthier's side, when she had every reason to smile benevolently as he shed this mortal coil.
Ren = Ren stood over the man, glaring down at him. His face void of any and all emotion now as he then looked to Ada when she called the man's name. He watched then as she moved and kneeled by Gauthier's side. Ren was capable of tearing a man down limb by limb if he ever got in that mind set, which to where he was very close to doing just now. This was all done of course to play on the man's mind first, then had it been necessary things would have been carried out further. At Ada's comment of taking him home so she could see to him, Ren kneeled down to one knee, lowered his face as close as possible and spoke so the man heard his every word. ``Let this not only be a lesson... but a warning.`` He said coldly. Then Ren would pull back and look to her, he didn't understand Ada's reason for this, but didn't judge her. She had her reasons, even if he didn't know them or understand them. His jaw set, and silently he nodded before moving to heft the man up once he wiped his blade clean across his thigh on his breeches. By now, there were quite a few onlookers, but none had stepped up and it was easy to see why. The hunter's reputation had quickly spread.
Ada = Ada's hands shook as she stepped back and let Ren in. She was afraid the rest of her would start shaking. No matter how deep Ada went, her body insisted on this fool's reaction. She clenched her hands behind her back as she led the way toward the shop, holding open the door for Ren and blessing her lucky stars that Janice had gone home moments earlier so that she did not have this to report to Claramae. The woman, frankly, scared Ada into a quivering pile of French pleas, and the less she had to say to St. Laurence, the happier Ada was. She was not going to bring Gauthier upstairs into her apartment, nor would she introduce the foul man to Kye. Between the garden and her study, then, she chose the study -- it was cleaner for the work she had to do. She let Ren in and unceremoniously swept all the books and projects on her desk aside, then went to find supplies for cleaning up the Frenchman. Out in the main room of the shop, however, she leaned against the counter, arms as weak as if she had carried Gauthier all this way, and legs feeling little better. She sat down on the nearby stool and sucked in large breaths of air. When that seemed to be working, she finished off the last of the cold tea in her cup and grabbed the basket she had assembled, pushing her way into the crowded study -- a glorified broom closet, really, the space made little better by the walls lined floor to ceiling in bookshelves and her work desk. She went about fixing up Gauthier, studiously ignoring his scream of agony when she washed out the wound with whisky, as Aislin had taught her to do. Luckily, he passed out from the pain. Ada took a swig of alcohol for herself to steady her hand, clearly not right in her head, for she very rarely drank. She sewed him up in silence, very aware of Ren's presence nearby, and unsure of how she felt about it being there.
Ren = With the man hefted up, Ada lead the way and Ren had volunteered the help of a young boy nearby to bring the mans bags along. They reached Ada's shop, the Greek hunter following and moving where Ada motioned or suggested. Without looking over his shoulder, Ren told the boy to leave the bags by the door and go home. No questions were asked, only looks, but the boy did as he was told. Ren would watch as Ada made a place to see to the Frenchman, standing back out of the way up against a wall of books with his arms folded over his chest. A few thoughts crossed his mind, one in particular was what Ada now thought of him. Normally he wouldn't care of course what others thought, but he and Ada had become close, intimate, and so that changed a few things of course. The man would say nothing, as his dark eyes watched her every movement, learning a little more of what it was she did.
Ada = When Gauthier's eyes opened, Ada was kind enough to share the bottle with him, but only for a sloppy swig that dripped down his mouth. She wiped him up and tossed the cloth to the floor. After dressing his wound, Ada glanced at Ren, seemingly for the first time since ... well. It had been more than a few minutes since she'd met his eyes. She didn't see judgment there, merely curiosity and worry, and that was more relief than he would ever know. "Please bind his hands and feet? I have something that will cause him to sleep until we know what ... what should be -- what we should do with him." From a locked box on the floor, shoved under the desk, Ada grabbed a very small jar of molded bone. The phial had an interestingly dark liquid within, from which she dripped three measured drops into Gauthier's mouth. He protested, of course, but Ada grabbed him firmly by the chin with the dropper between skilled fingers, and plugged his nose with the other hand until he was forced to open up. She lingered in his face, watching his eyes swim in the whites, hazy with pain and the rapid effects of the drug. She was not delicate, Ada -- despite the shaking and uncertain stammer, she had done this before. Just not to Gauthier.
Ren = The large man continued to watch, and when Ada finally looked to him, he saw what looked like a sense of relief. Relief from what though? That this bastard had not died? As far as Ren was concerned, the man got exactly what he deserved. He had plainly asked for it... three strikes and your out. The first had been the act with Ada's ear... the second... the toying of her feelings with the lack of a letter, and this was as close to three as he could get. When she asked for him to bind his hands and feet, Ren looked about for something to use. Locating a couple things that could prove useful, he did as she asked and then stepped back to let her continue her work. Once she looked to be done for the moment, Ren spoke for the first time in all of this. ``Ada... who is this man? Who is he to you and why are you doing this for him?`` There was no ill tone, no displeasing pitch, just simple question that he wanted answers to.
Ada = "I'm sorry," she said softly. Any lower, and it would be a whisper. They were lucky it was a small room. The acoustics worked in Ren's favor. "I am so sorry." She folded her arms beneath her breasts and possibly would have taken another drink from the bottle, just for the secure warmth that the whiskey produced in her stomach. But Gauthier's lips had touched the bottle, and she wasn't that interested. "He is Gauthier. Gauthier Bergaron. He is my former Master's apprentice. His father had eight children, and Gauthier the only son. To make money, he sold everything he had, which was not much, to pay the apprenticeship fee for Master Benoit, who was the best apothecary in all of Paris, and some said France. Benoit accepted, and ... Gauthier would have been very happy where he was, even though he has no knack for the herbs, if I had not arrived in Paris when I was sixteen, and he seventeen. I was ... persistent. Master Benoit eventually took me in, too, and taught me what he knew. He liked me more than Gauthier," Ada concluded. "Gauthier knew it. It is not his fault. It is not mine, either, I know. We all lived together contently, more or less, for ten years and he might hate me, but I do not hate him."
Ren = Ren allowed his back to rest against the sturdy wall of books. Arms remained folded and he looked rather comfortable for a man that just nearly took the life of another. He gave a shake of his head, his way of dismissing her apology because he didn't feel she owed him one to begin with. ``I didn't ask for an apology... I didn't ask for his identity, I'm asking what does he mean to you and why?`` He said, still his voice calm and his face at complete ease. His eyes would let her know he strangely enough, wasn't at all mad or upset with her. ``I don't care who he is, but a man so foolish as to step on foreign soils and to toss out insults as he did... that...`` He gave a shake of his head, not finishing the statement just yet. `` ....hopefully he learned his lesson and he'll heed my warning. Next time, I won't be so generous.`` He said as he looked from her, to the still man and then back. Almost as if he was waiting for her to fill in more of the blanks.
Ada = "He was Master Benoit's apprentice," Ada explained, and that should be enough. It was, for her. Their relationship was too complicated for a name. He was neither lover, partner, brother, friend, nor enemy. But he was her rival. Despite how calm Ren was, despite his understanding and concern, she felt her hands begin to shake again and clenched her fingers together. Why wasn't he angry, was the question. He had nearly choked the man to death, and without a change in expression, slid his dagger neatly into the Frenchman. He needn't be angry with her, but his face was as placid as if she had just asked him to try another pickled mushroom recipe. "Things changed, at the end. I ... I kept some company Gauthier did not approve of. I suppose Gauthier believes I am indirectly responsible for Benoit's death. I inherited. And he did not. I do not know what that makes us, but I cannot hate him -- I cannot dispassionately let him die." That had to be the explanation he would accept, because she could offer him nothing else without revealing a part of her past she did not wish him to know. Not yet. Not like this. "Ren."
Ren = He wasn't exactly satisfied with her first reply and it showed. He gave a roll of his eyes and looked off elsewhere with a slight shake of his head. One did have to wonder why Ren Galanos was acting as he did. Any normal man would be affected by this somehow, someway, and it would show. However, with this one... it did not. How dark did this man's secrets go? What nightmares plagued his mind? What made a man act like he had and not show an ounce of concern for the recipient of such an act? These were things that were well hidden, perhaps even to the man himself. Question was, what was the key to unlocking Pandora's box and who held it in their hand? Only in time would these things play out, of course. Ren looked back to Ada when she decided to perhaps elaborate a little more on things. ``A jealous admirer....`` he said casually. Ren wasn't worried or jealous, but then again, he didn't have a right to be really. Things between he and Ada were just now perhaps taking on more a definite word, slowly. He glanced down to his feet, they crossed at the ankles and then she said his name, making him look to her. `` Yes?``
Ada = She didn't know what she wanted to ask him. It unexpectedly hurt that he thought Gauthier was in any way competition, much less her admirer. Her concern for Gauthier was the opposite of reciprocated. He would not have hesitated in killing her, and likely, would not in the future, if given the opportunity. Though Ada laughed and twinkled, and seemed to develop instant rapport with nearly everyone she met, there was a softer part of her that demanded there be some good, somewhere, in every man, woman, and child. She had to believe Gauthier had a decent and honest motive. Maybe she was as naive as Gauthier claimed. She worked on that question, but wasn't able to find it. She merely shook her head slowly and left the room to stand behind her counter, the transplanted seedlings rustling a greeting with Ada's sudden arrival. Dill and parsley and basil, thyme, oregano and rosemary -- she knew them all like old friends. The scent of fresh soil was a balm to her mind, which ached nearly as badly as her heart, though stars! If she knew why her heart ached, life would be so much easier, no? Was it really Ren's reaction at the core of her disquiet? What answer would please her to that unasked question, then?
Ren = The man continued to hold her gaze for as long as she allowed him to, waiting for her to finish whatever it was she was going to say or ask. Instead, nothing came and she moved to leave the room. His dark eyes followed her, his brows arched. No, Ren hadn't meant a jealous admirer in the sense she might have thought. He had meant in the past, the man was jealous of her then and that perhaps he was a secret admirer of hers then also. But that didn't mean Ren wasn't worried about her, about her thoughts on him, and them. The hunter lingered in his spot for a few minutes more before pushing off the wall. He looked to the Frenchman one last time and then moved out to follow Ada. The Greek male moved to the counter, standing across from her on the other side. ``I'll leave if you want... I'll understand.`` He said as he looked to her and then the door before letting his dark eyes settled on her once more. He thought perhaps the reason for her acting like this now was because of him, because perhaps she didn't want to be around him anymore.
Ada = "No. Stay. Please?" She rested her elbows on the counter, forearms stretched on the wood counter. She wanted to be around him for more than selfish reasons. He wished to know about her, to make it better, to do as the male was meant to do and fix things. But an instinct, to a woman whose instincts were usually uncannily accurate, suggested she could stand to learn a bit about him. Something was not wrong with Ren, but not right either, and Ada was too stubborn to let a little fear taint what was a very good thing for both of them. She reached out a hand for him, and would vault the counter if he thought to leave. Fortunately, she grabbed his hand and held it firmly in her own. "Don't leave me alone with him." It wasn't clear if she was concerned about being alone with Ren. But this was her answer. She was not. He made her feel safe, and there was nothing more peaceful than drifting off to sleep in his arms. She did not know what she would do if he took those arms somewhere else tonight. She squeezed his hand. "If you want to stay," she added. So Ada was not as carefree as she imagined. She let others come and go as they pleased, always hoping they would make the right decision. But she made her request now, searching his eyes for any hint of an answer before he verbalized it.
Ren = Ren's brows arched, a sign of his confusion made obvious. Was he reading things wrong or was she sending him mixed signals? Ada had been putting distance between them, she had avoided eye contact a short time, but now... now she was asking him to stay. She reached out for him, stretched across the counter and took his hand in hers. He looked from her to their hands and stared a moment. The look on his face as if he were debating but he was doing nothing more staring. When she spoke again, he looked back to her, she didn't want to be left alone with this Gauthier. There was a hint of something in her voice that he detected, what he wasn't sure. Was it fear? His fingers curled around hers, giving a light squeeze. `` I will stay, if that is what you truly want.`` He replied, as he paused a moment, realizing how that might have sounded. ``Because I would like to stay...`` he added. He then began to take the steps necessary, holding her hand and having them both move over the L-shaped counter until there was no more counter between them. He didn't fully close the gap, no.. if she really wanted him to stay, she would have to prove it to him without him having to give her any indication of such.
Ada = "I don't know what I'm doing, Ren." She noticed he kept his space, even when he closed the distance. There was no hesitation, but her movements were slow -- affection, rather than the passionate license she usually took with him. She wrapped her arms around his chest and held him tightly, pressing her face into the fabric of his shirt and breathing in the scent of him. It was clean, masculine, and assuredly her Greek. Her cat. "But I know what I want. I want you. And I think I would cry if I sent you away. I have flaws and they are lying right there in that room," she said, pulling back only a fraction, so that she could stare up at him, and nod her head toward the door of her work room when she mentioned it. "I want to give him a chance. Is that wrong? I want him to ... understand. It's futile, I know. And Ren -- " She dropped her head back to his chest. "We all have flaws. They are illogical and infuriating, scary, challenging. But they are ours. They make us who we are." Ada sighed. She should have given him a chance. She should have closed the distance earlier, not put more space between them by leaving the room. She was content with what she'd said, though, and stopped speaking before she began rambling.
Ren = His dark eyes looked down to her, there was no hesitation, but he saw how slow her movements had been. There were a couple reasons why she could have done that, but he had a fairly good idea as to why. When she wrapped her arms around him, held him tightly like she did and then press her face into him, it only confirmed his first thought. His arms wrapped around her and kept to his silence. He was about to say something in reply to her first comment, but then she shared more with him, which had him nodding. More questions of course formed, but he wouldn't voice them for now. With the last of her comments of course, he only nodded, he knew exactly what she meant all to well. `` I don't expect you to share everything with me about yourself so freely or openly so soon. But I will ask questions. Whether or not you answer them then or later is your choice, a decision that I will respect but hope that I will have those answers in time.`` He said, because he knew how she felt on a certain level. He too was being a little secretive himself... and hopefully, she thought as he did -- when it came to him.
Ada = "I care about you a great deal," she admitted. "And I want to answer your questions. I've shared with you everything that is important to who I am. But Gauthier -- he is someone I have difficulty explaining, so it is not for a lack of trying. Maybe we will have more truths like him. Complicated, I mean. But I will respect whatever you have to say. I will respect you even if you have nothing to say." She grinned up at him. It hadn't necessarily broken the odd mood in her shop, but it was an effort. She sobered quickly, though, her dark eyes growing a little darker with thought. "I care, even if you have ghosts in your past that you would rather not air. I respect that. I care about your ghosts, too, just know." It was so difficult to speak in the abstract. It tired her. But sometimes the struggle to communicate those broad ideas was worth it, even if it was much easier to give him a squeeze to communicate she wasn't going anywhere. But if that was the preferred method of telling him how much he was wanted, barnacles had less tenacity.
Ren = Dark eyes continued to gaze down at her, his arms remained around her and he nodded. ``I care for you as well...and I want to try and answer your questions..but`` He paused a minute. ``..just try to understand if I don't.`` He added. A lot of what she said, he agreed on. There was plenty that the two of them were going to have to understand, accept and share with one another, all in good time. She grinned and he smiled faintly, before he only nodded again. ``Everyone has ghosts...`` And he would leave it at that -- for now. He gave a her a squeeze and then looked from her to the study and back. ``Is there anything else you must see to now? If so... go and see to it. Then perhaps we can do something about food and drink, retire to your room for the evening.`` He said as his eyes looked toward the shutters, seeing how late it now was.
Ada = "Mm," she agreed. "I do understand. Very much so." She would not have told him about the particular ghost of Gauthier for a while yet. To be honest, their relationship was too new yet to bring his into it as well. They kept each other fully occupied with one another, just as they were in whatever moment they met. "Let me clean up a bit down here. Why don't you get started for the Briar Rose, have Rose get started on your dinner, and I will meet you there?" She drew him down and gave his cheek a kiss. She didn't think she'd really been in the mood for the dessert he suggested, but now that she thought about it, would like nothing better than curling up on the bearskin with him. That was inspiration enough that he would not be kept waiting long at the tavern, but if he wished to linger over dinner and talk -- or not talk, as they were masters in companionable silences -- that would be precisely what she needed to let go of her anxiety about Gauthier, and concentrate on finding her sense of humor once again.
Ren = The brother and sister duo had spent the day on the sands of the beaches, doing what else --fighting. Though... it was sparring for training, not family issues. After a couple hours of going at it with one another, Danae needed to take her leave and head back to Ebony Hall once she checked in with her regiment. Ren was left to his own devices, doing whatever it was that Ren did when alone. He opted to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach relaxing, especially since he was already here. Though, once Danae left he was able to not only remove his shirt but other articles of clothing and take a dip in the ocean. It was warm enough now and he they had chosen a spot that was fairly secluded as to better focus. The large Greek male was taking the time not only to cool off from the exercise he just took part in, but to rid his body of the sand that clung to it.
Ada = Danae had mentioned a landmark Ada was reasonably familiar with, and so the fact that the beach was empty near the docks posed no problem for the healer, who simply took off on a hike across the hard-packed sands to look for the oddly-shaped boulder. Ada had cleaned up since gardening, taking a bath that seemed to soothe all the muscles that cramped up while taking care of the delicate plants, as well as washing away the dark soil that had smudged even in her hair -- heaven knew how that had happened! The marks on her elbows were easy enough to understand, but her hair? Then again, even Ada understood unconscious habits were precisely that -- unconscious. She must have been playing with her hair even while it was tied up in a knot behind her head, not even brushed since Ren finished playing with it the night before. She came upon the secluded beach, and rather than join the darker skinned man in the water, Ada made a comfortable spot for her bum in the sand and took a seat, pulling her legs to her chest and wrapping her arms around them, dark eyes glittering as she watched Ren in the shallows.
Ren = Modesty was not an issue for the man- well... not with anyone but his sister of course. He continued to wade out further and further, the water coming up to his broad chest by now and as the waves swayed gently he took to diving under a couple times. When he came up, the afternoon sun made his already dark skin glisten as the water beaded and raced down the exposed flesh. When he turned to look back toward his things on the beach, he spotted someone sitting comfortably and watching. He smirked to himself and began to make his way back to the sand. When he reached her, he smiled and reached down to take up his clothes beside her. ``What a nice surprise.`` He said as he would at least put on his breeches for now. ``What brings you out here?`` He asked her with a grin as he took a seat beside her.
Ada = "The scenery," she teased in response, letting go of her knees and leaning back on her hands as she let him dress. "I met your sister," she added, unable to keep the information to herself, and laughing a bit at how similar they were in attitude. There were a lot of questions Ada might have asked, that probably would have made more sense than the one she decided on, but she merely patted a spot next to her for him to sit down, and went with, "Your mother must have been an exceedingly tall woman. And your father, obviously. Do you often have trouble going through doorways?" She wanted to flick a few droplets of water off of his face, but where that led would only get both of them full of sand in places where sand should not be. So she refrained, but only just barely. He really was too beautiful not to harass. "I hope I am not intruding?"
Ren = The big man had to chuckle as he looked from her out to the waves and nodded. ``It can be a very nice thing to sit and enjoy awhile.`` He replied, though, whether he was referring to her watching him as she had been, or the waves was up to her to decide. He looked back to her and arched a brow at the mention of his sister. ``That must have been interesting for you.`` He said with a chuckle. ``Did you tell her about us?`` asked the hunter, simply out of curiosity. ``Not that I mind either way whether she or anyone else knows, but I just like to make things difficult for her.`` he jested. Truth was, he hoped Danae would have to do a little investigating herself, just as she had him doing in trying to find out who the Commander was spending all her time with. If anyone could see the whole picture here, they would most likely find it amusing. Siblings keeping information from the other about whom they were with, all just to irritate and aggravate one another. The joys of brotherly and sisterly love. ``Yes, both our mother and father were tall, and though Danae took more after my mothers looks, she still managed to get father's eyes.`` He commented before shrugging a little. ``I get into all sorts of trouble with my size...`` He answered with a chuckle before shaking his head at her last inquiry. ``Of course not, I was just thinking of coming to visit you myself. The reason for my little dip in the ocean.`` said with a little smile.
Ada = "And I am enjoying," she assured him, patting his thigh lazily before returning her weight and the hand behind her. "I only asked where you were, and she said to find you by that rock. She did not ask why I was looking for you." Ada had no idea about brotherly or sisterly love, or really the friendly competition between them. She'd come close with Benoit's apprentice, but the end of their relationship was punctuated with malice even Ada was not capable of diffusing. But she was glad to hear that he did not mind if Danae knew, and that it was more a matter of competition than anything involving Ada. "You and Danae look similar. I thought it was the eyes. Next time, I'll compare you side by side." With a little smile of her own, she canted her head to look at him again. "Ah, and you were in the process of making yourself so neat and clean for me! Well. I appreciate it." She shifted to her side and placed a kiss to his cheek. "What were you doing here?" The sand was all stirred up, obvious even to Ada, who could not know how to track a boar through underbrush even if it was all matted in a singular direction, pointing the way. Herbs and mushrooms, she could find in a heartbeat, but animals were not her domain.
Ren = The Greek male continued to hold his grin with her replies. He was surprised to learn that Danae had not asked more questions on Ada's need to find him. Just about everything was a competition of some sort between the two and of course it was always in good fun. ``Yes, I look more like our father, but kept the darker eyes of our mother.`` He said as he looked back out to the waves a moment. Then came a nod with another grin. ``I was trying... `` He said before looking back to her only to have her lean in and place a kiss to his cheek. The grin he already wore only grew a little and replied. ``You're welcome.`` The Greek male then looked to where he and Danae had done their training and answered her question. ``We were only sparring... training, fighting. Whatever one wishes to call it these days. Hand to hand combat and with our weapons as well. It helps her let go of any frustrations and pent up aggression or whatever, keeps me fit. We both get something out of it along with enjoying beating each other up.`` He said with a chuckle.
Ada = "She won't sneak into my apartment and wait for me to come home to ask all of her questions, will she?" She was teasing. Of course. Right? "Your sister is a little intimidating. But she seems very nice, and I am sure she cares about you a great deal. As you care about her." She wasn't certain if Ren knew how frequently he brought up Danae in regular conversation. Ada felt as though she already knew the Ranger, which was pleasant in its own way. "Mm. I did not know you enjoyed beating others up." She grinned and let her eyes go back out to the ocean rather than meet his. "I think I'd enjoy seeing you fight. What do you think? I'll pick someone I know you can beat, and voila! And if I make a mistake and he hits you instead, well, isn't it your luck you're in the company of one of Skye's finest healers?" She cleared her throat. "Sorry. All teasing aside." For now, anyway. Ada wouldn't voice all the jokes she had in store, most of which were completely inappropriate. They shared a lot, but not everything, and Ada's internal filter was, despite the obvious signs to the contrary, actually pretty aggressive. "Do you have a preferred weapon?"
Ren = The hunter laughed with a shake of his head. ``No... she knows better. And if she were to become so bold, I would just have another excuse to make her wish she hadn't.`` He teased, though, there was of course some degree of truth behind those words of his. ``Unfortunately she comes across like that to everyone. It's a front... don't let her scare you. Her bark is worse than her bite... most days.`` He said with a smirk before looking back to her. ``She is nice, does have a few manners despite what others might think. As I said, a lot of what she does is just to uphold a certain image. Her reasons? I have my assumptions but a brother doesn't know everything about his sister. And yes, we have a funny way of showing it, but we do care a great deal about one another.`` No, Ren didn't realize he talked about his sister as much as he did, only thought it was typical conversation stuff and nothing more. Ren then shrugged a little. ``I only like to beat others up when its her.... `` He paused. ``Okay, maybe a few others too, but only when it's for the right reasons. I'm no bully, and don't go looking for fights. I just always find myself in them.`` He said with a smirk. Ren arched both brows then in an amused manner, a little surprised to hear her say how she might like to see him fighting someone, but then laughed as she shared the rest of her thoughts on that subject. ``Don't make it to easy for me, I do like a challenge you know...`` he jested and then nodded. ``And I think I am a very lucky man, should I get injured... I am in good hands.`` He said with a wry grin. Ren didn't mind her jokes or aggressiveness. In fact... it was a couple of the reasons he liked her so much.
Ada = "Good hands. Sexy hands," she joked. "But I am glad you agree." She tilted her face back to catch a breeze against it. She was warm from working outside today, and the cooler air felt wonderful against her skin. "I had hoped that was what your sister was like. But I'll have, no doubt, chances to see for myself that this is true, non?" She glanced at him, then. "I know you would only fight someone when it is worth it. I was joking. But I really would like to see you, just once -- I think...." Her cheeks colored, but she had enough humor not to deny it, grinning again and giving him another pat on the thigh. "I think it would be very nice for me." With a laugh, she nudged that thigh and then placed the hand behind her again, rolling her shoulders back to feel the muscles stretch out. Stars, had she been hunched over all day? She really needed an apprentice. Running in and out of the garden, minding the still, taking care of her patient, and dealing with her shop was running her ragged. Not that it showed, really -- Ada always seemed to have boundless energy. Particularly when motivated to be energetic. If she stayed on the sand as she was now, she would fall asleep, so she climbed to her feet and batted her skirts free of sand. "Can you teach me something? Something basic, so I won't hurt myself? Or fall and embarrass myself? You may think you know me, but I am very ungraceful, cat."
Ren = Ren chuckled and nodded before he watched her catch the breeze by tilting her face into it. He smiled, not knowing it and absently nodded to the following comment. He then blinked, and then smirked a little before he nodded in agreement once more. ``I know you were.`` He replied before giving a little shrug of his shoulders. ``I am sure you will have a chance to see it, likely sooner than later.`` He teased as he saw the color in her cheeks. This of course along with her own laugh had him doing much the same. Ren saw how tense she was, knowing it so just by her movements. The man made a mental note to treat her to something later tonight perhaps. At her question while she stood to her feet, his head canted to one side and he looked to her from the side. ``I can show you something basic. `` He said with a nod before he moved to stand to his own feet. His large hands came to dust the sand from his breeches, leaving his shirt on the ground for the moment. Ren stood behind her and spoke. ``Say someone decided to attack you from behind like this.`` He wrapped an arm about her neck, his elbow and part of his forearm resting under her chin. ``Even if they might hold a weapon in the other hand, what you can do is elbow them if possible with the force behind your dominate arm.`` He paused a moment before he continued. ``Then, while they are distracted by that move, you can stomp as hard as possible on their foot using the force behind your strongest leg.`` He paused. ``As soon as that has taken effect, if you want to take it a step further, using the same elbow, aim for the head that's most likely lowered as the attacker is now hunched over since he either lessened his hold or released you completely. Then you're free to run away...hide... get help.`` He added before he began to guide her through the steps himself in a slow motion.
Ada = She was a little nervous about learning to fight, but it never hurt a woman to learn to defend herself. She had done quite nicely in chasing off thieves and dissuading potential suitors fresh off the ships and looking for an easy lay. But after a while, the good folks of Paris had learned not to mess with the knife-wielding healer. She worried, though, about other events in her life, and how she was to escape then, if luck had not been on her side. She worried about fires even after all this time. So when he came in behind her, she didn't make any jokes. Nor did she press her hips back against him and suggest they do something more entertaining. She was oddly serious about this request, and listened to him with the utmost attention, visualizing what he told her, murmuring the instructions unless she forgot. He walked her through the steps, and obviously, she did not use the same amount of force she would use on a real attacker, but it was to gain comfort with the motions, not cripple Ren. "And if he comes from the front?" she asked next. "I promise, last one, and then we can go and get something for supper. I do not want to get you sweaty when you just washed up." She swept a few fly-aways out of her face, and hope he was up to one more demonstration.
Ren = He was glad to see she was a little more comfortable with going through the motions than perhaps most women might have been. He knew majority didn't like fighting or violence, but to him, their was a difference between that and defending yourself. Ren nodded in an approving manner, letting her know she was doing each motion correctly and gave her the encouraging words one might need when learning something like this. At her question on what to do should someone attack from the front, he sort of shrugged with arched brows. ``That all depends on whether or not the attacker yields a weapon and how quick you are.`` He thought a moment. ``But in any case, the basic idea is to know how to place your feet -- know where to move and when. Of course you want to avoid anything that's coming at you, fist or weapon.`` He turned her to face him, took two steps back. ``Lets say I'm the attacker, you see me coming at you, most likely you will have to side step one way or the other, depending on which hand I am going to use or which hand holds a weapon. You can even duck if you must, just be quick. Use the elbow again and aim for the ribs while maybe positioning a foot as so to trip the attacker.`` He would again go through the moves with her, slowly, letting her get the feel of it.
Ada = She wouldn't be Ada if she didn't make a joke at inappropriate occasions. "It is harder from the front," was her lame attempt, obviously not her greatest quip. But after that, it was all business, attempting to place from which direction Ren would move, though he made it rather easy, and went with her when she attempted to either trip him or use an elbow. Unfortunately, if she was getting sandy, he must be too, and by the time they were finished, she was sweating in addition. So much for the bath she took earlier. At least she smelled sweet as she dashed away from him, like neroli and musk. "Thank you," she offered when they had both come to a stop, smiling slightly. "I never did learn to properly do any of those things, though you get quick with a knife in certain areas of Paris. It is a good thing to know." And because she wasn't a traditional student by any means, she hugged him, arms wrapping around his back and cheek pressed to his bare chest in gratitude. But she couldn't think of much more to say, uncertain why she had asked now for him to teach her these things, or why she had revealed to him her particular form of worship, just that she felt immensely at ease around him. He made her feel at home no matter where they were.
Ren = He would chuckle a little with her attempt of a quip and nodded. ``All things are harder to face head on.`` He replied as they went through the motions. Once they were done, he stepped back, dusted what little sand was on him, off. It was nothing, just meant he would have to take a real bath and he didn't mind that at all. The Greek male looked to her when she thanked him and he nodded with a soft smile. ``You're welcome.`` He said, before she explained to him her defense mechanism when in Paris. She hugged him and he hugged her back. Ren didn't mind showing her or anyone else how to defend themselves, especially women. Unfortunately he knew they were considered the easiest prey and unless you were woman of Danae's caliber or relatively close, most either were killed or seriously injured. He pulled back from her at arms length and looked to her, smiled and then kissed her cheek before he released her, stepped back to slid on his boots, put on his shirt and gather his things. ``Now... what is it we might be finding ourselves doing next?`` He asked with a grin.
Ada = "Food," she responded promptly, as if there was no other option in the world. She took his hand in her own and twined her fingers amongst his. They were so oddly matched in size, but when it came to holding hands, his were just right for covering her own. Though food was the priority, they didn't seem in any particular hurry as they walked back toward the city, Ada causing their arms to swing between them. Were it not for the rather low cut of her dress and the occasional flash of ankle, due to skirts being tucked into her belt to make walking in sand easier, they might have been a courting couple out for a stroll. "We could go to the Briar Rose, or anywhere you like, I do not mind. I feel like making a meal of bread and cheese again. I do love cheese," she added with a glint of humor, stepping out onto the beginnings of the lane leading to the harbor. There was a new ship in, the flags waving merrily, announcing an origin in France. This surprised Ada -- France was at war with England, and though England was on the run from Skye, it was a brave thing to do, sailing up through the Irish Sea and along England's coast. Not many of her countrymen made it to Skye for that very reason. She herself had crossed from Scotland after walking and hitching her way through England, pretending she was dumb and mute for most stops, for a French accent was akin to mispronouncing Shibboleth these days. "Unless there is French cheese to be had?" she asked, and with a quirked brow asking him if he wished to investigate, they changed direction slightly toward that ship.
Ren = Ren nodded and chuckled, though he agreed.. Food and drink definitely sounded like a very good idea.They held hands, fingers twined and occasionally their was a swinging motion with the linked hands and arms. ``The Briar sounds good, or if there is some place else you would rather go to, we can do that too. At the moment, I'm willing to go anywhere so long as their food is good and the drink is better.`` He jested as they continued on their walk. The hunter did notice all the busy men on the docks and at Ada's words, glanced to her. A slight shrug was made and he nodded softly, willing to go along with her want of investigating the newly arrived ship and it's reason for being here.
Ada = They were nearing the ship's lowered gangplank when Ada caught sight of a very familiar face. "Let's go to the Briar," she said quickly, stopping as precisely as a soldier, and perfecting a neat quarter-turn that temporarily pulled them apart -- yet he remained faced in the other direction, and she went stumbling back into him. She became a little more insistent that they not go anywhere near that ship or the man she had recognized, and even if he was about to go along with her change of plans, it was too late. The man had easily spotted Ada in the crowd. Fishwives and the girls that hung around the quay looked older, somehow, though Ada dressed precisely in the same fashion -- covered just enough to avoid chastisement by more respectable members of society, but only just barely. Seeing his critical look of her exposed shins, though, she untucked the skirts gathered in her belt until even her shoes were hidden in their fall. "Gauthier," she greeted, temporarily abandoning Ren to give her former co-apprentice the traditionally French greeting, though it was uncomfortable putting a kiss to either of Gauthier's jowly cheeks.
Gauthier = He had grown sideburns since last they met, and they flattered his face, even as they made him look a good ten years older than his twenty-seven years. He was perfectly ordinary looking, the perfect Gallic peasant, though he was dressed as a journeyman in clothes that weathered well and did not need a woman's touch to look their best. Gauthier, despite the cordial greeting, responded by grabbing Ada's ear between his fingers, causing her to duck down low to avoid the pinching, flapping her arms in an effort to escape. He rattled off a litany of French curses, to which she responded by stomping hard on his foot, though her skirt fabric caught in the effort, and the resulting tearing sound caused several dock workers to stop and watch the spectacle. But Gauthier was no fool -- once he had said what he wished to say in French, he inclined his head politely to the large Greek, though he still held Ada's ear in his hand. "You are sleeping with this one, monsieur?" he asked, the bushy brows over his eyes arching.
Ren = He nodded as she suggested the Briar and was moving with her until she stopped and turned like she had, making the part. The Greek male looked from her to the ship and back, his eyes narrowing and then lowering in thought before he looked back to Ada. He knew something or someone she saw was the reason behind this one-eighty and soon found out when a man called to her. Ren stood back a couple paces behind her, watching as Ada and the man greeted with one another and spoke in their language. Ren of course was already sizing the man up, just in case, and he almost laughed as he hardly looked threatening. However, Ren knew better than to under-estimate people so continued to be observant and pre cautious. However, when the man decided to take Ada by the ear, their was no holding back and Ren stepped up, letting large hands take hold of the mans forearm and hand. His fingers worked Gautheir's free from Ada's ear and with a death grip, glared at the man with his dark eyes. ``It is none of your business if I am or not, but you won't be handling her like that again. If you do, you lose your arm after I rearrange your face.`` He replied as he had yet to release the man's arm. He looked to Ada. ``Are you alright?`` He asked before looking back to the offender while awaiting her reply.
Ada = "You son of a goat's whore," Ada offered helpfully in French, holding her ear in one hand, but a ripped skirt and a sore ear was not enough to keep her from giving Gauthier a swift kick in the shin. She knew all manner of offensive curses in her native tongue, and had yet to find any nearly as effective in English. It lacked a certain delicacy and logic, and when a Frenchwoman cursed your mother's chastity, particularly with barn animals, it simply sounded elegantly profane. "I am fine, Ren. If he does not take a swing at you, you can let him go. Gauthier, this is my friend Ren. Ren, Gauthier was an apprentice of Master Benoit, the man who taught me nearly everything I know. Gauthier, please apologize to me so that Ren does not throw you in the water." Ada could sound very clinical when she wished, and she did so now, rubbing her ear briefly, though it continued to burn from the twisting.
Gauthier = Gauthier grumbled under his breath, but the man had his arm held so tightly, anything he might have said would have sounded too tense to decipher. Until finally, he looked to Ada, and did as she told him to do. "Will you accept my most profound apologies, Adelaide?" he asked, shifting his weight to one leg so that he could nurse the one she'd kicked. "I did not ask you to be rude, monsieur. There is much you should know about Ada's past if you wish to keep your pecker from falling off," he couldn't resist adding. "A pleasure, Monsieur Ren."
Ren = Dark eyes never left the mans face while Ada retaliated with her curses and kicking. The grip remained just as firm even after hearing Ada say she was okay. ``That's right... apologize , so I don't kill you and leave you for the residential fishermen to use your corpse as bait.`` He added as he waited for the man to do as Ada suggested. He even emphasized he meant business by bending the man's fingers back to apply the very uncomfortable tension to them. When the man did as was suggested, Ren released his hold of him with both hands and stepped back to Ada's side. ``It doesn't matter how you meant it... it was uncalled for.`` He said as he continued to stare daggers at the man. ``And what I do with my pecker, as you put it, is my business.`` Ren glanced to Ada then and looked back to Gauthier. ``I can't exactly say the same...`` He replied when the man spoke on it being a pleasure to meeting him. His arms folded over his broad chest and looked between the two for a moment, remaining silent and allowing the two continue with whatever. And if he saw a need to step in again, he wouldn't hesitate or nor would he hold back this time.
Ada = "What are you doing here?" Ada asked, glad when Ren came back to her side. She never felt properly armed going into conversations with Gauthier. But they never really had conversations, did they? He had always been so vengeful and full of hatred toward her, and while he had always had reason, she was not certain where they stood now. Ada had inherited and Gauthier had been released to find his own way in the world, despite his father's investment. Ada had kept company with princes and dukes, while Gauthier had emptied chamber pots at the shop and dusted the Master's old books. There was jealousy between them, and intense rivalry, but beneath it, there was no common ground, no underlying affection -- merely memories of Ada usurping Gauthier's place in Master Benoit's heart and purse.
Gauthier = The Frenchman was not nearly as tall as Ren, but he was not without his own strength. He was burlier now than he had been in youth. He'd filled out his frame, acne scars had faded into a ruggedness that some thought handsome, though his nose was bulbous and his jaw soft. When Ren released him, he grunted as blood flowed sharply back into his arm and fingers. He wanted, very desperately, to push Ada into the water and watch her drown, but Gauthier had a sense of self-preservation that was a bit scary at times. "No, perhaps not, but my mother raised me to be polite." He let his eyes rest next on Ada, moving from her nose to her ripped skirts, back to her chest, and then finally, disdainfully, to her face. "I came to collect herbal specimens for a treatise," he explained. "But I also wished to bring you one last letter from Master Benoit." He fished in his pocket for a piece of paper. He saw her eyes widen in wonder and amazement, her hand stretch out, but then he smiled coolly. "He wrote nothing before he burned, witch. You know he was placed in the thieves' hole with the rest of Paris's heretics and criminals. I have no desire to speak with you further. Good day." He inclined his head sharply, went to find the porter who was standing near his belongings, grabbed the two big bags and marched off, rapidly disappearing into the crowd.
Ren = The large Greek hunter continued to stand by, watching the man with an intense gaze that never once let up. Ren's eyes never left him even when Ada spoke. He wanted this man to know he was watching him and watching him like a hawk. As he stood in place he listened to the two speak, seeing it was something of a business nature it seemed. At the man's remark about being raised to be polite, Ren smirked. ``Obviously she failed... especially when you find yourself in a new land and go to insult a woman in the manner you did.`` He replied, keeping his cool for the moment, the tone of his voice never once raised in pitch to let on how pissed he was even now. The hunter went back to remaining quiet and listened while he watched Gauthier fish for something in his pocket, but produced nothing and then went as far as insulting Ada again by calling her a witch. That was it - he had, had enough of this man's foolishness and when he began to move off, a quick and strong, large hand snapped up and gripped the man by the throat. His hold so tight, he could hear Gauthier gagging, coughing, and gasping for air.
Ada = "Oh," was all Ada said as he failed to produce the letter. She did not even hear him insult her. To be honest, she didn't care what he called her, and in French, they had already run through a litany of much worse words. Was there a letter or was it a lie? Either way, it was like losing Benoit all over again. He had been the father she'd never known, the father who, unlike her own, had the courage to stay with his family, no matter how difficult circumstances became. She felt her heart drop into her stomach, which was, infuriatingly enough, precisely the response Gauthier had wished to leave her with. She shook her head slightly to clear out the ringing in her ears and watched him go. But no, he would not disappear like a Paris street rat -- Ren was too quick for that! She felt her heart creep back up to its usual place as Ren dragged the man backward by the throat and held tight.
Gauthier = He never hoped the witch from Embrun would intervene to save his life, but neither did he think she would be the reason his life was about to end. He dropped his bags and flailed his arms, before logic interceded and he grabbed onto the hand around his neck and attempted prising those sausage-sized fingers off of his windpipe. When that failed, he had no more air left with which to fight, and his feeble stomp on the Greek's foot was an utter failure. He began to see stars as his eyes lost blood flow, and then black crept in around what was left of his vision.
Ren = Quick indeed as the one hand held fast to what Ren considered a scrawny chicken neck, the other reached back behind him and pulled out his dagger. ``I think what I'll do first with you is tie you up, hang you upside down, let the blood rush to your head, then proceed to gut you and skin you alive. Then? Then I'll leave you for the scavengers....`` He said as he watched the man squirm within his death grip. His eyes burning with an intense hatred as his lips snarled with distaste. When the man tried to pry his fingers loose, the grip only tightened, the hand with the dagger came forward, popping a button or two from his clothing, then there was a sound of a rip, and then finally a slow insertion of a blade to the mans lower abdomen, purposely avoiding any areas of major organs. As soon as the man began to slowly grow limp, Ren dropped him, letting him land on his back once he pulled the dagger free.
Ada = "Gauthier?" She was worried, admittedly, what Ren would think of her when she ran to her tormentor's side. Gauthier might have no love lost for Ada, but Ada cared for him, despite everything -- despite a lot of things. Her heart was in such a strange place, but her face was empty of emotion as she peered over the man. Ten years! They were not friends and they were not siblings. They weren't quite enemies, not in Ada's mind. She did not know what he was to her, but watching him bleed to death.... No, that was not something she was capable of doing. She ripped open Gauthier's jerkin and un-tucked the tunic beneath, revealing the neat wound. Ren was professional, of course, which made the puncture that much more chilling. She rocked back onto her heels and held her head in her hands, just for a moment. Until she could see clearly again, and find some direction to the moral dilemma before her. Finally, she rolled down onto her knees and applied pressure. "We should take him home," she said quietly. "I will stitch him up." Ren, thus far, had been completely free of judgment. She hoped he stayed that way. She hoped he did not blame her for going to Gauthier's side, when she had every reason to smile benevolently as he shed this mortal coil.
Ren = Ren stood over the man, glaring down at him. His face void of any and all emotion now as he then looked to Ada when she called the man's name. He watched then as she moved and kneeled by Gauthier's side. Ren was capable of tearing a man down limb by limb if he ever got in that mind set, which to where he was very close to doing just now. This was all done of course to play on the man's mind first, then had it been necessary things would have been carried out further. At Ada's comment of taking him home so she could see to him, Ren kneeled down to one knee, lowered his face as close as possible and spoke so the man heard his every word. ``Let this not only be a lesson... but a warning.`` He said coldly. Then Ren would pull back and look to her, he didn't understand Ada's reason for this, but didn't judge her. She had her reasons, even if he didn't know them or understand them. His jaw set, and silently he nodded before moving to heft the man up once he wiped his blade clean across his thigh on his breeches. By now, there were quite a few onlookers, but none had stepped up and it was easy to see why. The hunter's reputation had quickly spread.
Ada = Ada's hands shook as she stepped back and let Ren in. She was afraid the rest of her would start shaking. No matter how deep Ada went, her body insisted on this fool's reaction. She clenched her hands behind her back as she led the way toward the shop, holding open the door for Ren and blessing her lucky stars that Janice had gone home moments earlier so that she did not have this to report to Claramae. The woman, frankly, scared Ada into a quivering pile of French pleas, and the less she had to say to St. Laurence, the happier Ada was. She was not going to bring Gauthier upstairs into her apartment, nor would she introduce the foul man to Kye. Between the garden and her study, then, she chose the study -- it was cleaner for the work she had to do. She let Ren in and unceremoniously swept all the books and projects on her desk aside, then went to find supplies for cleaning up the Frenchman. Out in the main room of the shop, however, she leaned against the counter, arms as weak as if she had carried Gauthier all this way, and legs feeling little better. She sat down on the nearby stool and sucked in large breaths of air. When that seemed to be working, she finished off the last of the cold tea in her cup and grabbed the basket she had assembled, pushing her way into the crowded study -- a glorified broom closet, really, the space made little better by the walls lined floor to ceiling in bookshelves and her work desk. She went about fixing up Gauthier, studiously ignoring his scream of agony when she washed out the wound with whisky, as Aislin had taught her to do. Luckily, he passed out from the pain. Ada took a swig of alcohol for herself to steady her hand, clearly not right in her head, for she very rarely drank. She sewed him up in silence, very aware of Ren's presence nearby, and unsure of how she felt about it being there.
Ren = With the man hefted up, Ada lead the way and Ren had volunteered the help of a young boy nearby to bring the mans bags along. They reached Ada's shop, the Greek hunter following and moving where Ada motioned or suggested. Without looking over his shoulder, Ren told the boy to leave the bags by the door and go home. No questions were asked, only looks, but the boy did as he was told. Ren would watch as Ada made a place to see to the Frenchman, standing back out of the way up against a wall of books with his arms folded over his chest. A few thoughts crossed his mind, one in particular was what Ada now thought of him. Normally he wouldn't care of course what others thought, but he and Ada had become close, intimate, and so that changed a few things of course. The man would say nothing, as his dark eyes watched her every movement, learning a little more of what it was she did.
Ada = When Gauthier's eyes opened, Ada was kind enough to share the bottle with him, but only for a sloppy swig that dripped down his mouth. She wiped him up and tossed the cloth to the floor. After dressing his wound, Ada glanced at Ren, seemingly for the first time since ... well. It had been more than a few minutes since she'd met his eyes. She didn't see judgment there, merely curiosity and worry, and that was more relief than he would ever know. "Please bind his hands and feet? I have something that will cause him to sleep until we know what ... what should be -- what we should do with him." From a locked box on the floor, shoved under the desk, Ada grabbed a very small jar of molded bone. The phial had an interestingly dark liquid within, from which she dripped three measured drops into Gauthier's mouth. He protested, of course, but Ada grabbed him firmly by the chin with the dropper between skilled fingers, and plugged his nose with the other hand until he was forced to open up. She lingered in his face, watching his eyes swim in the whites, hazy with pain and the rapid effects of the drug. She was not delicate, Ada -- despite the shaking and uncertain stammer, she had done this before. Just not to Gauthier.
Ren = The large man continued to watch, and when Ada finally looked to him, he saw what looked like a sense of relief. Relief from what though? That this bastard had not died? As far as Ren was concerned, the man got exactly what he deserved. He had plainly asked for it... three strikes and your out. The first had been the act with Ada's ear... the second... the toying of her feelings with the lack of a letter, and this was as close to three as he could get. When she asked for him to bind his hands and feet, Ren looked about for something to use. Locating a couple things that could prove useful, he did as she asked and then stepped back to let her continue her work. Once she looked to be done for the moment, Ren spoke for the first time in all of this. ``Ada... who is this man? Who is he to you and why are you doing this for him?`` There was no ill tone, no displeasing pitch, just simple question that he wanted answers to.
Ada = "I'm sorry," she said softly. Any lower, and it would be a whisper. They were lucky it was a small room. The acoustics worked in Ren's favor. "I am so sorry." She folded her arms beneath her breasts and possibly would have taken another drink from the bottle, just for the secure warmth that the whiskey produced in her stomach. But Gauthier's lips had touched the bottle, and she wasn't that interested. "He is Gauthier. Gauthier Bergaron. He is my former Master's apprentice. His father had eight children, and Gauthier the only son. To make money, he sold everything he had, which was not much, to pay the apprenticeship fee for Master Benoit, who was the best apothecary in all of Paris, and some said France. Benoit accepted, and ... Gauthier would have been very happy where he was, even though he has no knack for the herbs, if I had not arrived in Paris when I was sixteen, and he seventeen. I was ... persistent. Master Benoit eventually took me in, too, and taught me what he knew. He liked me more than Gauthier," Ada concluded. "Gauthier knew it. It is not his fault. It is not mine, either, I know. We all lived together contently, more or less, for ten years and he might hate me, but I do not hate him."
Ren = Ren allowed his back to rest against the sturdy wall of books. Arms remained folded and he looked rather comfortable for a man that just nearly took the life of another. He gave a shake of his head, his way of dismissing her apology because he didn't feel she owed him one to begin with. ``I didn't ask for an apology... I didn't ask for his identity, I'm asking what does he mean to you and why?`` He said, still his voice calm and his face at complete ease. His eyes would let her know he strangely enough, wasn't at all mad or upset with her. ``I don't care who he is, but a man so foolish as to step on foreign soils and to toss out insults as he did... that...`` He gave a shake of his head, not finishing the statement just yet. `` ....hopefully he learned his lesson and he'll heed my warning. Next time, I won't be so generous.`` He said as he looked from her, to the still man and then back. Almost as if he was waiting for her to fill in more of the blanks.
Ada = "He was Master Benoit's apprentice," Ada explained, and that should be enough. It was, for her. Their relationship was too complicated for a name. He was neither lover, partner, brother, friend, nor enemy. But he was her rival. Despite how calm Ren was, despite his understanding and concern, she felt her hands begin to shake again and clenched her fingers together. Why wasn't he angry, was the question. He had nearly choked the man to death, and without a change in expression, slid his dagger neatly into the Frenchman. He needn't be angry with her, but his face was as placid as if she had just asked him to try another pickled mushroom recipe. "Things changed, at the end. I ... I kept some company Gauthier did not approve of. I suppose Gauthier believes I am indirectly responsible for Benoit's death. I inherited. And he did not. I do not know what that makes us, but I cannot hate him -- I cannot dispassionately let him die." That had to be the explanation he would accept, because she could offer him nothing else without revealing a part of her past she did not wish him to know. Not yet. Not like this. "Ren."
Ren = He wasn't exactly satisfied with her first reply and it showed. He gave a roll of his eyes and looked off elsewhere with a slight shake of his head. One did have to wonder why Ren Galanos was acting as he did. Any normal man would be affected by this somehow, someway, and it would show. However, with this one... it did not. How dark did this man's secrets go? What nightmares plagued his mind? What made a man act like he had and not show an ounce of concern for the recipient of such an act? These were things that were well hidden, perhaps even to the man himself. Question was, what was the key to unlocking Pandora's box and who held it in their hand? Only in time would these things play out, of course. Ren looked back to Ada when she decided to perhaps elaborate a little more on things. ``A jealous admirer....`` he said casually. Ren wasn't worried or jealous, but then again, he didn't have a right to be really. Things between he and Ada were just now perhaps taking on more a definite word, slowly. He glanced down to his feet, they crossed at the ankles and then she said his name, making him look to her. `` Yes?``
Ada = She didn't know what she wanted to ask him. It unexpectedly hurt that he thought Gauthier was in any way competition, much less her admirer. Her concern for Gauthier was the opposite of reciprocated. He would not have hesitated in killing her, and likely, would not in the future, if given the opportunity. Though Ada laughed and twinkled, and seemed to develop instant rapport with nearly everyone she met, there was a softer part of her that demanded there be some good, somewhere, in every man, woman, and child. She had to believe Gauthier had a decent and honest motive. Maybe she was as naive as Gauthier claimed. She worked on that question, but wasn't able to find it. She merely shook her head slowly and left the room to stand behind her counter, the transplanted seedlings rustling a greeting with Ada's sudden arrival. Dill and parsley and basil, thyme, oregano and rosemary -- she knew them all like old friends. The scent of fresh soil was a balm to her mind, which ached nearly as badly as her heart, though stars! If she knew why her heart ached, life would be so much easier, no? Was it really Ren's reaction at the core of her disquiet? What answer would please her to that unasked question, then?
Ren = The man continued to hold her gaze for as long as she allowed him to, waiting for her to finish whatever it was she was going to say or ask. Instead, nothing came and she moved to leave the room. His dark eyes followed her, his brows arched. No, Ren hadn't meant a jealous admirer in the sense she might have thought. He had meant in the past, the man was jealous of her then and that perhaps he was a secret admirer of hers then also. But that didn't mean Ren wasn't worried about her, about her thoughts on him, and them. The hunter lingered in his spot for a few minutes more before pushing off the wall. He looked to the Frenchman one last time and then moved out to follow Ada. The Greek male moved to the counter, standing across from her on the other side. ``I'll leave if you want... I'll understand.`` He said as he looked to her and then the door before letting his dark eyes settled on her once more. He thought perhaps the reason for her acting like this now was because of him, because perhaps she didn't want to be around him anymore.
Ada = "No. Stay. Please?" She rested her elbows on the counter, forearms stretched on the wood counter. She wanted to be around him for more than selfish reasons. He wished to know about her, to make it better, to do as the male was meant to do and fix things. But an instinct, to a woman whose instincts were usually uncannily accurate, suggested she could stand to learn a bit about him. Something was not wrong with Ren, but not right either, and Ada was too stubborn to let a little fear taint what was a very good thing for both of them. She reached out a hand for him, and would vault the counter if he thought to leave. Fortunately, she grabbed his hand and held it firmly in her own. "Don't leave me alone with him." It wasn't clear if she was concerned about being alone with Ren. But this was her answer. She was not. He made her feel safe, and there was nothing more peaceful than drifting off to sleep in his arms. She did not know what she would do if he took those arms somewhere else tonight. She squeezed his hand. "If you want to stay," she added. So Ada was not as carefree as she imagined. She let others come and go as they pleased, always hoping they would make the right decision. But she made her request now, searching his eyes for any hint of an answer before he verbalized it.
Ren = Ren's brows arched, a sign of his confusion made obvious. Was he reading things wrong or was she sending him mixed signals? Ada had been putting distance between them, she had avoided eye contact a short time, but now... now she was asking him to stay. She reached out for him, stretched across the counter and took his hand in hers. He looked from her to their hands and stared a moment. The look on his face as if he were debating but he was doing nothing more staring. When she spoke again, he looked back to her, she didn't want to be left alone with this Gauthier. There was a hint of something in her voice that he detected, what he wasn't sure. Was it fear? His fingers curled around hers, giving a light squeeze. `` I will stay, if that is what you truly want.`` He replied, as he paused a moment, realizing how that might have sounded. ``Because I would like to stay...`` he added. He then began to take the steps necessary, holding her hand and having them both move over the L-shaped counter until there was no more counter between them. He didn't fully close the gap, no.. if she really wanted him to stay, she would have to prove it to him without him having to give her any indication of such.
Ada = "I don't know what I'm doing, Ren." She noticed he kept his space, even when he closed the distance. There was no hesitation, but her movements were slow -- affection, rather than the passionate license she usually took with him. She wrapped her arms around his chest and held him tightly, pressing her face into the fabric of his shirt and breathing in the scent of him. It was clean, masculine, and assuredly her Greek. Her cat. "But I know what I want. I want you. And I think I would cry if I sent you away. I have flaws and they are lying right there in that room," she said, pulling back only a fraction, so that she could stare up at him, and nod her head toward the door of her work room when she mentioned it. "I want to give him a chance. Is that wrong? I want him to ... understand. It's futile, I know. And Ren -- " She dropped her head back to his chest. "We all have flaws. They are illogical and infuriating, scary, challenging. But they are ours. They make us who we are." Ada sighed. She should have given him a chance. She should have closed the distance earlier, not put more space between them by leaving the room. She was content with what she'd said, though, and stopped speaking before she began rambling.
Ren = His dark eyes looked down to her, there was no hesitation, but he saw how slow her movements had been. There were a couple reasons why she could have done that, but he had a fairly good idea as to why. When she wrapped her arms around him, held him tightly like she did and then press her face into him, it only confirmed his first thought. His arms wrapped around her and kept to his silence. He was about to say something in reply to her first comment, but then she shared more with him, which had him nodding. More questions of course formed, but he wouldn't voice them for now. With the last of her comments of course, he only nodded, he knew exactly what she meant all to well. `` I don't expect you to share everything with me about yourself so freely or openly so soon. But I will ask questions. Whether or not you answer them then or later is your choice, a decision that I will respect but hope that I will have those answers in time.`` He said, because he knew how she felt on a certain level. He too was being a little secretive himself... and hopefully, she thought as he did -- when it came to him.
Ada = "I care about you a great deal," she admitted. "And I want to answer your questions. I've shared with you everything that is important to who I am. But Gauthier -- he is someone I have difficulty explaining, so it is not for a lack of trying. Maybe we will have more truths like him. Complicated, I mean. But I will respect whatever you have to say. I will respect you even if you have nothing to say." She grinned up at him. It hadn't necessarily broken the odd mood in her shop, but it was an effort. She sobered quickly, though, her dark eyes growing a little darker with thought. "I care, even if you have ghosts in your past that you would rather not air. I respect that. I care about your ghosts, too, just know." It was so difficult to speak in the abstract. It tired her. But sometimes the struggle to communicate those broad ideas was worth it, even if it was much easier to give him a squeeze to communicate she wasn't going anywhere. But if that was the preferred method of telling him how much he was wanted, barnacles had less tenacity.
Ren = Dark eyes continued to gaze down at her, his arms remained around her and he nodded. ``I care for you as well...and I want to try and answer your questions..but`` He paused a minute. ``..just try to understand if I don't.`` He added. A lot of what she said, he agreed on. There was plenty that the two of them were going to have to understand, accept and share with one another, all in good time. She grinned and he smiled faintly, before he only nodded again. ``Everyone has ghosts...`` And he would leave it at that -- for now. He gave a her a squeeze and then looked from her to the study and back. ``Is there anything else you must see to now? If so... go and see to it. Then perhaps we can do something about food and drink, retire to your room for the evening.`` He said as his eyes looked toward the shutters, seeing how late it now was.
Ada = "Mm," she agreed. "I do understand. Very much so." She would not have told him about the particular ghost of Gauthier for a while yet. To be honest, their relationship was too new yet to bring his into it as well. They kept each other fully occupied with one another, just as they were in whatever moment they met. "Let me clean up a bit down here. Why don't you get started for the Briar Rose, have Rose get started on your dinner, and I will meet you there?" She drew him down and gave his cheek a kiss. She didn't think she'd really been in the mood for the dessert he suggested, but now that she thought about it, would like nothing better than curling up on the bearskin with him. That was inspiration enough that he would not be kept waiting long at the tavern, but if he wished to linger over dinner and talk -- or not talk, as they were masters in companionable silences -- that would be precisely what she needed to let go of her anxiety about Gauthier, and concentrate on finding her sense of humor once again.