Return of an old friend

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

The mercenary entered the city of Nova with minimal fuss. His clothing was worn, patched and travel stained, his helmet had clearly been beaten back into shape by a village smith and his shield was scarred with use and needed to be cut down and rerimmed. But he had enough money to stay in the city for a few weeks while he looked for work, and the guards pushed him towards the king, who was always hiring. The only real condition on his entrance was that he should leave his spear, helmet and mail in the care on the innkeeper he chose and returned to tell them who it was. This he had done with alacrity, and so the guards did not think much about him, beyond that he was a handsome and pleasant fellow. The bulk of the mercenary's money was smuggled in later, for a fee, by a reasonably reputable smuggler the mercenary had apparently heard of the last time he was in Nova.

After he had told the guards where he was staying - a particular and inexpensive inn in the Second District - he returned there for a bath. He asked one of the maids who brought in the hot water to stay and "help" him bathe, and she happily agreed. It wasn't often that a customer was so handsome and polite. Afterwards, when she took the mercenary's travel clothes away to be washed, she just giggled and blushed when the other serving maids asked her about the bath. All she would say was that the mercenary was very good with his tongue and paid her well. Those interested in making money immediately took notice and decided to find their way into the mercenary's bed.

Bathed and dressed in clean clothes, the mercenary wandered the city during the afternoon, asking a few questions about people he had met on his last visit and where they might be. He seemed to be interested in one redhead in particular, and was surprised to find that she had risen so high. Surprised, but not at all displeased.

That night, after he had eaten his dinner, the mercenary slipped his bathing assistant five times her usual rate and whispered that he'd like her to bring an "innocent" friend. She complied, of course, and kept the bulk of the money for herself as a finders fee. But, still, she found a kind, gentle and very innocent young serving maid who needed to be introduced to the other side of their business with more kindness than usual. The mercenary certainly got his money's worth that night.

The next morning, the mercenary left the inn early after breakfast, lack of sleep apparently not bothering him as much as it did the serving maids. The younger one seemed to be permanently scarlet, but far less distressed than usual, which did raise some questions, but the line about the mercenary having a very good tongue was all the answer either maid would say for now.

This time, the mercenary was not wandering. He aimed directly at a particular merchant's shop, arriving just after the shop had opened, and slipping inside the building with a growing smile as he made sure to avoid any customer bells on the door. It was always fun to surprise an old friend, and the mercenary had had precious little fun lately. Once inside, the mercenary dropped the act of being just another unknown mercenary and assumed the stance and thought pattern of Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán, also known as Shy to her few friends in this world. Then, broadening her smile into something approaching happiness, Shy attempted to sneak up and tap Serenity on the shoulder, wherever she was.

"Miss me, Ser?"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity was fixing a clothing rack at the side of her shop, some of the suit jackets had fallen off their hooks when someone had so rudely shuffled by them, not stopping to put them back. She was wearing a puffy white blouse, a deep blue and black corset atop it, with black lace and a deep blue skirt flowing down from it. A classic of hers. Her autumn coloured hair was left down, tumbling in soft curls down her shoulders and back.

She felt someone tap her shoulder, and jumped lightly, not having heard anyone come in. She swung around as she heard their voice, taking a moment to recognize it. As her eyes focused on her face, they widened as a smile spread on her face. Well I'll be damned... She mumbled, pulling Shy into a big hug. Where have you been? She asked, still holding her in a hug.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

For a moment, Shy worried that Serenity might have forgotten her. The her friend's face split into a broad grin and she hugged Shy fiercely. Shy returned the hug with a deliberate gentleness at first that soon have way to a near desperate embrace. It had been so long since she had seen Serenity, and the beautiful redhead's embrace was a comfort Shy hadn't known she had needed. Tears flooded her eyes as she held onto Serenity.

The end result of this was that Shy's voice was thick with emotion when she answered Serenity's question.

"I couldn't take Claire and Core any longer so I went out to look at the world."

There was bitterness there, but whether it was directee at Claire, at Claire and Core together or at Shy herself was impossible to say.

"This world is so much more than Nova."

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity's face grew red with emotion as she felt Shy hold her tighter. She hadn't seen or heard from her in so long... she hadn't known what to think. When she heard Shy talk, tears of her own sprung to her eyes. She hadn't thought she'd missed the woman so much, and yet...

Good to know.. You can get so easily trapped in Nova, you forget there's more out there... Serenity responded, her own voice thick. After another moment or so, she pulled back searching Shy's face.

Shy.... Claire.... She spoke softly, a tear falling down her face. She hadn't known Claire at all. In fact, all she was to Serenity was the girl everyone wanted to save. The one that Rivers had Serenity set a bomb off for... The one she'd killed people for. But she knew that to Shy, Claire had been so much more.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

They must have looked a sight, both red eyed and teary, but Shy didn't care right now what anyone thought. Well, she did to some extent - if they had been in private she would have been sobbing - but not enough to stop the tears.

"I think...I think I might go back out there eventually. Nova is just too small for me now."

When Serenity pulled back to study Shy's face, Shy almost laughed at the mental image of the two of them, but the look on Serenity's face left the laughter stillborn. Serenity spoke softly, brokenly, obviously not knowing how much Shy knew or how she would take it. Shy tried to be more controlled in her reply.

"I," she had to swallow

"I," again with the swallowing. What was wrong with her?

"I know."

And then the sobs came. They had come before when Shy had first heard of Claire's death, but then there had been as much anger in her sobs as grief. What she did now was pour out all her grief, unadulterated by anger.

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity nodded. Good. Don't get trapped here again.

She saw the emotion change on Shy's face. She saw her fight it. She knew before she said it that Shy already knew what had happened. Another tear fell from Serenity's eyes. Hearing Shy try to speak broke her heart. She wanted to pull her back into a hug, but couldn't look away from her face.

I know. The sobs she heard coming from Shy broke her heart even further, and she lost her grip on her own emotions, pulling the woman back into her chest, enveloping her in a tight hug. Whatever costumers she had in the shop had left now, startled by the display, but Serenity didn't care. Shhhh... it's okay. She tried to soothe her friend, rubbing a hand up and down her back. Shy was never the type to need consolation, Serenity knew that. But Claire had been Shy's weak spot, something else Serenity had suspected.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Shy didn't know how long she cried for, only that Serenity held her and comforted her the whole time. That helped. Claire had been Shy's life and obsession - though she didn't recognise the latter yet - but Serenity had also come to form a big part of Shy's life before she left, and her embrace reminded Shy that the world was not torn up by the roots. There was still continuity, solid bedrock on which to ground herself.

Eventually, the tears dried up and Shy gently broke the embrace and held Serenity at arm's length, a tremulous and abashed smile on her face. She hadn't meant for this cry session to happen, nor had she wanted to drive business away from her friend. There was also some residual guilt over leaving so abruptly and without any message. She hadn't been in a good frame of mind then, even more distracted than she was now, and hadn't wanted to make things any harder for herself. Now, though, she realised it had been a pretty selfish act.

"Thank you," Shy said, giving Serenity a quick kiss on the cheek. "Sorry I drove your customers away."

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity held her friend without question, rubbing her back and murmuring calming words to her the whole time. Tears of her own would fall now and again, feeling the utter sorrow rolling off of Shy.

When she pulled back and smile, Serenity smiled back, a smile that showed the sorry, but also understood everything behind it. She blushed lightly when Shy kissed her cheek, thanking and apologizing to her. Don't worry about them. They'll be back. They know they can't get gowns as well made anywhere else in the city. She winked at her friend, releasing her arms. So. How long have you been back? She asked, resuming to normal tones, figuring Shy would want to move past it.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Serenity's blush and a sudden realisation of just how attractive those glasses looked on her almost made Shy try for a kiss on the lips, just as she might have in the old days. The thought was only a fleeting one though, symbolised by no more than a slight parting of her lips. Serenity had been clear in her preferences, and Shy knew that any relationship between them would ultimately fail anyway. She was just not cut out for relationships, and with Serenity there was the extra risk of Shy using her as a stand in for Claire.

Instead, Shy just gave a slight laugh at Serenity's comment on her quality of work and nodded appreciatively. She was not the best judge of these things, but even she knew that Serenity's work was above the norm for Nova. Different styles and methods of making, she supposed, an inheritance for Serenity's original home.

"Yes, I can see that. You've really grown the business!"

Serenity returned to normal tones, and Shy was able to fully pull herself back together. Serenity had always had a good grasp on how she thought - yet another reason to be grateful for such a good friend.

"I got in yesterday afternoon and spent most of that trying to find you. I wanted to see if you were alright and to apologise for leaving so abruptly."

That was the truth, but not all of it. She also wanted to know where Claire's body had been dumped and to find out some more information on Noku's court, but that could come later. She'd already spent too much time crying today. Then she looked down at her clothes amd remembered the final reason she had been looking for Serenity.

"Also, I need some new clothes. These are a bit worn out!"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity hadn't noticed Shy's inner monologue, moving to hang up the final jacket that had fallen. Yes I have! Once I obtained a house in the city, I was able to save up and buy this place. It's not very big, but it does the trick. She smiled, looking around her little shop.

Hearing Shy's explanation she nodded, then shook her head. You don't need to apologize. You had a lot going on. Besides, ironically you weren't the only one to leave back then. Shortly after you did, Rivers and Roxy abruptly left as well. After a couple months, I just kinda left Haven behind. It wasn't the same when it was empty. She shrugged. She'd moved past it a long time ago, plus Rivers had returned to her life, even if things were confusing for them still.

Hearing mention of needing clothes, Serenity beamed at Shy. I'll assume we'll be avoiding the gown section. She said, reaching for on the mens jackets behind her.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Though Serenity sounded as though she had gotten over everyone leaving, Shy still felt even more guilty for leaving without a goodbye. It must have been really hard for Serenity when the others had left, no matter how well she was doing now. Shy reached out and gave Serenity a brief squeeze on the shoulder in sympathy, but left it at that.

"You certainly fell on your feet when you left, though. Hand maiden to a duchess!"

She vaguely knew Aria, and didn't have the highest opinion of her on account on a conflict of personalities and beliefs between Aria and Claire, but she still acknowledged that it was a big step up for Serenity, and she was happy for her. And also a little sad, but she repressed the reasons why quite firmly and kept that plan as an emergency reserve. Serenity might be too high a price to pay for revenge.

Shy laughed as she brushed one hand across a fine gown and looked at the men's jackets Serenity was reaching towards.

"Mostly mens clothing, but I think I'd like a gown. Sometimes I do want to feel like a woman."

Idly, she wondered if even Serenity's talents could make her look like anything other than a man in a dress. Such a gown might end up being Serenity's biggest challenge yet, and Shy smiled fondly at the idea.

[Serenity Caine]

She smiled softly as Shy squeezed her shoulder. She'd been told before that it was a lot to get passed, and she was strong for doing so, but she never saw it that way. To her it was survival. She'd survived loosing her family before, so when they'd left she just had to remind herself not to be surprised. It happened now and again. She laughed at Shy's remark. Oh, so you've heard about that huh? Either I'm popular gossip or you've done your research on me. She laughed again. Yeah, I got lucky with that. Aria's a freaking handful and a half, but she pays well and it is a step up back to where I always wanted to be. She shrugged again, remembering the days all she wanted was wealth and power, like she'd had back home. How things change.

Serenity arched a brow at her friend. You know, I don't think I've ever seen you in a gown. But I get what you mean. You are still a lady after all. A badass one, but none the less. She laughed again, looking Shy up and down to try and guess her basic measurements. Well, if you're looking for something to make you feel feminine, I've got a few things you might like without going all out pink throw up. She smiled again, walking over to another rack and pulling a few gowns out to show. The first was a lovely orange piece, the second a lovely yellow and orange number, accented with red roses, and the third was a baby blue gown, with a white lace over-shawl, a white rose on the bodice, and matching lace in the front. She held all three up, one at a time, for Shy to see.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

Shy had vague memories of a tiny ball of mischief, rage and energy, so she could well believe that Aria was a handful, but Serenity seemed to be enjoying her work, so she just nodded.

"A bit of both. You, ah, developed a certain reputation at one point early on, so when you rose as high as you did people liked to talk about it."

Serenity's comment that she had never seen Shy in a dress caused her to pause and consider that, trying to remember the few times she had worn her dress. No, Serenity hadn't been around for those times, which made sense. When she wanted to feel feminine, it was almost always around men.

"Ha! No, I guess you wouldn't have. My poor old dress never did get much use."

When Serenity showed off the first dress, Shy knew instantly that it was for her. The colour scheme suited her, the big bow at the front gave the impression of a larger bust, and it was more securely attached to her body. Just looking at shoulderless gowns had made Shy nervous about them falling down, not matter no unlikely this was. But, out of a sense of tradition, she let Serenity show off the other dresses she had picked out and showed as much interest in them as the first. After all, these were all Serenity's work.

"I really like the first one, Ser. How much is it?"

[Serenity Caine]

Serenity's mouth opened into an "O" shape. ...right. I should have known about that. Even now when Serenity went out to drink she was well known... she didn't go as often as she used to, but still more frequent than most.

When Shy agreed that Ser had never seen her in a gown, she nodded. Well, that's alright. Some things truly are just meant for occasions. She shrugged, not minding never seeing it before. Though it was a sight she would like to see, she wouldn't force the situation. She knew Shy preferred her male attire most of the time. Besides, it wasn't like Serenity didn't know why Shy's body frame really looked like.

Serenity arched a brow at the first reaction, then smiled for the other two. She saw it on her face immediately, but went on anyways just in case. Good, the orange suits you best. And hmmm... you know, I think the price of this dress is roughly the same as a drink at the Tavern. She arched her brow with a bit of sass, a smirk on her face.

[Séanait Nic Ádhamhnán]

So Serenity hadn't really thought about what her reputation from the past might have been, but didn't seemed phased by it. That waa in line with what Shy knew of her. Serenity had never been particularly bashful about her past, no matter what it was or how far she had come forward. Shy respected that.

Serenity seemed to agree with Shy's choice of dress, but the price caused Shy to arch an eyebrow. A drink for a dress? That was practically charity, so she would need to find some other way of paying for the dress. The smirk and sass given by Serenity demanded a return in kind, so payment in kind negotiations could wait until later.

"Just one drink, Serenity? If you're hoping for a repeat of that night I'll need to have more than one drink! You know I don't sleep with straight women except under extenuating circumstance."

The last sentence was said with such a shit eating grin that it reverse its meaning entirely.