Whether I'm wanted or not (attn: Sean)

[Astarte]

There were parts of her body that ached in ways she'd grown used to not being the case, Betrys supposed that in hindsight wading in as if she was still back at home was probably not the smartest idea she'd ever had. It could have been worse though. At least she'd managed to mostly avoid the worse of the harm coming to her person, sometimes being short was a serious if unexpected advantage at moments like this one.

It was almost a shame she wasn't exposed to it more often. Almost.

Betrys seriously doubted that she would be all that comfortable with a permanent fat lip, which was just on the edge of splitting or the bruise she was fairly sure would be decorating the left side of her body - no Betrys would be far happier without worrying about those sort of sensations happening any time again in the near future. As it was she was concerned that she might be faced with the necessity of explaining away a black eye to her fellows in the Tower. It was definitely going to be interesting but she also didn't regret any of it.

After all, she couldn't have left Valadin to be attacked - even if he had dammed well started it.

"Yer totally derservin' that...." she muttered, her attention going up towards the guard who was asking her a question as she reached up to try and tug the loosened parts of her braid back down on her hair. Betrys was aware she probably still looked like she'd been dragged backwards through a hedge "...I's fine. Ain't nuthin but a barny - and he's paying fer it!" she grinned, even managing a brief wink in his direction as well. She had after all spent time dealing with sorting out messes "Some folks ain't nae head for drink" Betrys added and hoped that would be it - which seemed to be the case.

Glad it all seemed to be all over with at the moment "Fine. We can walk, but yer doin' some talking bout why the dammed stick got shoved up that arse of yers, Valadin. I didnae drag yerself from the fire so yer could keep being so mean tae me - I dinnae do nowt wrong" Betrys felt tears well up slightly, until she swallowed them down slightly, marching up and out the room. He could dammed well follow her now and do some serious talking. She really didn't want to lose his friendship but he was hurting her a lot.

[Sean]

They walked for what felt to be an eternity without saying anything. Most of the town had already sought the comfort of their bed leaving only the more raucous elements roaming about.

Valadin rubbing the beginning of a hideous bruise above his eye rueing the lack of ale to drown out the pain...and silence. Bee had left the tavern in state, her angry steps carrying her quickly into village, but for Valadin whom was by far the longer of them it didn't take time to catch up. Soon they walked side by side, an invisible barrier between them that didn't allow for words or eye contact.

It wasn't that Bee was being unreasonable. Valadin knew this. If he could he'd have swept her up in an embrace and call the matter finished between them; it would've been enough. The Accepted was stubborn, but in her heart she was good. Can ya say the same?

“Betrys Cadawaller..."

Saying her name made him smile. The image of their first meeting in the Tower Gardens. Both so awkward, yet so similar. Then Nykkolaia came to his mind and the smirk vanished.

Soon they would be at the village limits. Not that anyone would ask where they were going, but a Dedicated and Accepting traipsing through Hama Valon at night would certainly inspire much; none of it likely to be good. “Bee...I...I can't tell ya what's wrong. Friend or not, these're the ways things hafta be. Y'understand?"

Now he stopped. For the first time all evening he looked at this girl whom like Nykk inpsired so many feelings. Betrys was innocent, a thing called to all men--especially those of base character. It was like wine in the blood, dizzying and bringing false joys to the surface. Nykk was water. She washed him clean of his many sins, yet chilled him to the bone with every sip.

In the end it was the water that saved men. “C'mon. We should back. I'll walk ya to the grounds," he said offering his hand. “Then we go our separate ways."

[Astarte]

She was hurt.

That was something she'd have to deal with - apparently without his help. Not that Betrys was unused to being wounded and insulted from time to time. The boys in her village had commented on her lanky looks as she had been maturing, not to mention pointing out each and every subtle flaw that she had possessed but none of them had matter.

Valadin mattered. Along with Mirin he had been one of the first people whom she'd been able to call friend when she had come here. That made him important, which made this so much worse.

"Yer an eejit" she muttered at him and shook her head "Nah, I dinane understand! That is why I marched me arse over tae yer demanding them! Or did yer brains actually come out yer own ass during that wee barny - I mean wouldnae minded ANYTHING..." she growled the pitch of her voice rising up as she got more and more upset about the whole matter "I like you Valdain - does it need to be more complicated than that? Really? Yer my friend - you think I often wander into bar fights to pull great eejit oafs, hmm?" Betrys questioned before stopping and looking at him steadily and narrowing her eyes at him.

She felt her lips twitch and then her hand reached out to shove against his chest "Yer may be a bigger than me but I willnae be dismissed like some wee chit tae be discarded cause yer bored wiv me!" Betrys added and then shoved him again.

Betrys sniffed, feeling tears threaten "What did I bloody well do, Val!? I ken I'm nae some pretty lass tae prance about wiv but I'm a cursed Accepted and that shouldnae matter - did you get upset cause I moved the Earth? What?!!! Its nae fair to treat me like a child - I ain't a child..." she insisted. Betrys was done with being polite.

[Sean]

Watching Betrys grow more distraught as the night went on was hard to stomach. On this night where more times than could be counted he wished that there was a drink to his lips and a fog clouding his thoughts, Valadin was face to face with a girl who cared for him.

She pushed him. She had every right to. There was a small part of Valadin that wished someone had the strength on this night to beat him senseless. Even the waking pain would be better than…this. Where Bee’s hand touched his chest still tingled. He stepped towards trying to master his expression into something that looked sincere and caring, but failed to force his features into anything beyond the deadpanned surprise that gave the impression of tired boredom.

Jus’ tell ‘er why, he told himself. Yes, that might work.

His mouth opened as if to say something…anything that would placate and sound sensible enough to smooth the troubles between them, but nothing came out. Instead he stood there like a plinth of stone, the cotton in his mind made thinking a task beyond him. Overhead a cloud moved from the moon’s path allowing a pale bar of silver to shine upon Bee.

Blotches of red made the Andoran paleness of her complexion more pronounced and the mussed look of her hair was hardly flattering. Dirt and tears in her dress rounded the look of a girl who’d spent the evening at a tavern and found trouble. Never mind that it was his fault—no one had asked the girl to be a hero...

Accepted Bee. Yer friend. One o’ the few who stood beside ya without needin’ reason to. The one ya… The thought was abruptly cut off. How was it that an evening meant to be poorly remembered and relaxing had become such mess? Was it wrong to be in love? What did it mean that there were moments when lust made something seem like the right thing to do? Master had told him that romance was a thing of fools and poets—both of whom usually died paupers and likely scorned by those they’d confessed their feelings to. Feeling dirty for drawing the slaver into matters close to the heart Val let go of a shaky breath.

“Can’t be jus’ be friends Bee. T’aint that easy,” he murmured weakly. Even to his ears the excuse felt ineffectual, but he reached to fold her into a hug anyway. The stale smell of ale clung to his clothes and mixed with the sweaty shame to make for a cloying aroma liable to frighten anyone away much less Betrys. Blaming his actions on the drink started to sound like a plausible justification. Other men did the same and got away with darker deeds. Perhaps the Creator would grant him the same fortune for a lesser crime just this one.

“Let’s jus’ go home,” Valadin said. It wasn’t in him to lie and for now it was the only noble thing he could cling to. So it didn’t lie; he evaded.

[Astarte]

Betrys wasn't happy or satisfied about how things were being handled but that didn't mean that she couldn't accept his hug, even if it was clumsy and probably only offered as a means to make some effort to placate her as a result of her manner towards him. Although that didn't make it right that she shouldn't continue to hold onto her anger - just a little bit.

He had hurt her deeply and continued to do so "Yer nae the one who gets to be choosing ma friends for me Valadin. Yer nae my kin tae be ordering me about! Even if yer were it still be my choice. I can give ma friendships tae whom I like!" she insisted pulling away from him and refusing to accept that it had felt good to be held in his arms. In fact, perhaps more than it should really have done but that was hardly the point. She wasn't even sure what the point was anymore but she wouldn't give him up - not that easily. Yes, it was willful and stubborn but her family would have known that changing her mind was a near impossible thing once she'd chosen to set it to some specific task or decision and in this case Betrys had chosen to have him as her friend.

"Yer can keep trying to be an arse - which yer good at but it willnae change my mind. I'm yer friend even if ya nae going to be returning that...even if yer unkind enough to tell me yer dinnae want..." she pulled even further away and sighed "Why do yer nae want to be ma friend, Valadin? Am I such a terrible thing tae be around then?" Betrys asked.

[Sean]

Yet again women proved to be among the most vexing and mind-muddling complexities life had to offer. Bee stood before him pleading for an answer that could not be given. Shoulda grabbed a bloody mug on the way out.

It was a fringe thought. The better part of Valadin was caught between being angry and feeling guilty for ached his friend's heart; anger won out.

"Because I ent some quiet country lad!" He snapped letting the dark rage color his insults. She shouldn't have pushed--couldn't she see that he hadn't wanted to hurt her? Fine. If she wanted it, she would have her honesty. "Wanna know why we can't be friends? It's cause when I see ya I get this itch, Bee."

He was close again. Close enough to smell the odors of the bar and of sweat on the Accepted's skin, but beneath it all was Bee's personal aroma. His hands were around her waist pulling her into him as a haunted look came to his eyes. Master would've been delighted to know what he'd spent years infecting Valadin with had taken hold. Disgust mixed with the anger at Betrys to form a foul tincture that burned at the heart.

"I'm imagine haulin' ya off somewhere an' seein' whether yer really innocent country gal ya say ya are! Is that a friend's thought?! Do friends wanna do bloody things like that yo each other!"

The grasp on her waist tightened and the slimness of her shape beneath the dress became known to him. An old desire surged out of the ugly blend of feelings. The shame that lingered in waiting for the deed to be done was familiar as well. A ragged breath left Valadin's lips. She smelled so good...and she might like it. Never ask. Women lie with lips and their eyes, but their hips? Can't hardly fib when she's on'er back, can she?

Those were Master's words. His lips were almost at Bee's neck now. The edges of his vision began to blur familiarly as the combined sounds of their breathing took Val to a place he hadn't been in ages. A place that should've been hated, but right now held everything a man could want. What 'bout Nykk?

That stopped him, but he didn't move away from Bee. Vision returned slowly, but his breath remained heavy.

"Y'see? We can't be friends when that's in me," Valadin said finally. "Better ya be friends with someone...good."

[Astarte]

Being raised in the country might well had secured her lack of knowledge about the shape of the world, the etiquette of a noble court along with the distinct inability to read even the most basic of writing.

All that had been missed in her education. Due in no small part to how little use they for such fripperies when the gathering needed doing and there was still hours of back-breaking work to be accomplished with the light fading with each new moment in time.

No, her education had been far more direct and painstaking in its efforts. It had afforded her a marked advantage when it came to understanding herbcraft, healing and the effects of poor care on the patient as well as what could be gleaned from the land. Of course, she'd grown since then, changed from the girl she had been but at the core she remained the same. Which while as innocent as he chided her with being was not oblivious to what the world presented when it came to the act between man and woman. Betrys had delivered her first babe before her own first blood had come. She had heard and on occasion witnessed the act of coupling as well, even had some stirrings of interest from the male population of her village - it not being uncommon to be wedded in the first bloom of youth, in fact Betrys knew that if she had never left than she would have likely to have been married and a mother by now.

Strange how the mind wandered at certain moments.

Although under these circumstances perhaps not. Betrys felt a gasp escaped her at his harsh grabbing, the pressure between them increased with the sudden and on her part unexpected action that brought them so close together. It was instinctive to lift her hands up to rest on his chest with her head titling towards him. The look of surprise blooming on her features.

"Yer asking me for confirming of innocence? Or whether it be the first time I hae been grabbed...well I am and it ain't!" she snorted at him, torn between shock, bafflement and a genuine level of insult that he would ask in the first place "Though why I need to be defending myself at all is a folly - along wiv yerself...ya been drinking course girl looks fine to be grabbed. Yer should be lucky its nae my pa's inn we exiting from, course...then I'd have shown yer all about the strength in my knee..." she tossed her head once more.

Starting to press against him "Yer can let go now Valadin. I ain't nae bonnie lass tae stir your fancies. I be your friend, while it nae be terrible tae hae friendship in such things..." she paused and turned her face away not letting him see either the color or the tears spring into her eyes. Oh Light! It would be good to imagine this was not some act of drink but she'd seen that often enough not to suspect it again in this case "Sides...yer good enough fer me" Betrys added firmly, waiting for him to let her go.

[Sean]

With Accepted's words the haze fell away. There was a lingering want to keep his hands at her waist, the inviting shape reminding of life thought long left behind. The invidious shadows that his slave days cast in the back of Valadin's awareness faded only with difficulty. What remained was Nykkolaia Zeran and sorely missed her presence.

"Dunt say ya weren't warned." A reluctant admission as his grip slid away.

Their shadows moved and Valadin whirled to find himself facing the scathing glare of a patrolman. Given the circumstances, the hostility wasn't unwarranted yet the way the guardsman's eye swung from Bee to him, accusing in every pass stirred a new kind of passion; rage. "You alright there, Accepted?"

"If she ent, s'not on ya to see her, guardsman," Val interjected flatly though now he turned menacingly, size and physique his allies.

Part of him stood in abject horror at this person he'd become. Had it been so long when Valadin Manelle of the Four Kings avoided confrontation, favoring the company of horses and flowers above all?

The guardsman was already stepping towards them, one hand resting on the cudgel hanging at the hip. The sight of a weapon encouraged the aggression to gain more ground. "Boy, I asked the Accepted a question. Dunno who ya..."

"I'm Dedicated Valadin Manelle."

Apparently that meant something in the village. Revere and respect for channellers was in no shortage among the northern regions of Andor, but the look in guardsman's face was...wary. Something about was pleasing, made Val stand up straighter as he stood with his back to Bee feeling more in control than he'd ever been. The feelings of lust, disgust, and guilt all worked his emotions into a dangerous state. Violence seemed appealing. Not with Bee here.

A sliver of annoyance was harshly suppressed while Saidin's called thundered in his ears. "The Accepted an' I were jus' returnin' to our rooms. Thanks fer yer concern," Valadin managed to say without his voice reflecting the distraught feelings troubling his spirit.

Giving the man no opening to speak he turned and offered a hand towards Betrys. Her face was still flushed and puffy. Her clothes were ripped and dirty. All because of him...because they were friends. There was no helping the lingering leer that fell to her waist where his hands had been. The memory refused to fade from thought. "Let's go home, Accepted."

Please, his tortured mind plead.

[Astarte]

Betrys was fairly sure that neither of them were exactly at their best right at the moment but in any case, at least some conclusion had happened. Not that it was very satisfying.

Which only left her more and more disappointed about the whole venture, Betrys had hoped for something good to come out of this and it seemed impossible that it would be resolved "I dun need ya tae warn me...I ain't needing that from ya, Valadin" she insisted, just on the heels of the arrival of this questioner.

"Aye, we're fine. Yae need nowt to worry over ourselves" her voice firming up more than a little bit due to her own frustrations about how this had been handled. It was properly her own issues here and inability to understand this new strangeness that was going on between the two of them. At least he'd let her go.

Betrys took a breath and released it slowly, trying to regain some measure of control over her own emotional responses towards him. It wasn't the easiest thing to achieve but all those lessons in decorum and manner had certainly paid off, especially now.

"We can go home Valadin, long as ya mind me...we're friends. Now and always. If ya'd wanted different than yer picked the wrong lass...which means tell me things. I ain't daft, even if yer are" she muttered and moved slightly closer to him before holding out her hand.

[Sean]

Friends. The word felt an inadequate label for the tense truce held between them. For now it was enough as Val cut a look towards the patrolman, satisfaction shamelessly underpinning other emotions.

“Thanks fer yer service. Tell Fodhr I said hello."

Taking Bee's outstretched hand he led the pair through village, leaving the patrolman to wonder why one of the Dedicated would invoke the name of the Mountain Guard's sergeant. It was a perk attained from odd circumstances and Val would certainly have his ears boxed for the trouble he'd caused tonight. Hopefully it would be his friend and mentor Fodhr doling out the punishment, not Master Elonid.

The darkness thickened as they left the village on their way to the Tower grounds. Val never let go of Bee's hand the entire way. It was surprising how rough such delicate appearing hands could be. I'm nervous, but why?

Then it came to him.

Ahead the dark spire of the Grey Tower, its peaked cloaked in shadow rose up from the land. There would be Gaidin still about at this hour. Ever vigilant they lurked in different forms yet the obvious alertness about them never varied amongst their order.

This might be the last time I see her. Something in him feared losing someone he'd come to know so well, but the nagging impression never flagged, remaining strong even as they entered the main grounds. Here Val paused, fingers still entwined with Betrys'.

“I dunt mean to Bee a woolhead Bee," he murmured face expressionless while he spoke. “I...ya have my apologies fer tonight. Had a bit much to drink. Ent never meant no harm to come to ya...yer...yer my friend."

As he finished saying the word the sinister foreboding grew stronger. It took an iron will to keep from telling about the confusion he struggled with. To tell her about Nykk, to talk about the strangeness between them, but silence held fast and Valadin released her hand.

Something short of resignation crossed his face, but it was smothered in an instant; the night needed no more melodrama.

“I swear I'll drink no more til I'm a better man. Good night, Accepted. Creator always favor ya."

Turning on his heel he headed toward the Tower, back straight and step unwavering. He wanted to go faster, but hesitated...perhaps she could save them. Maybe Bee had wisdom that could preserve what they had.

C'mon, Bee. Say somethin'...anythin'.