A night to Remember [Vaughn]

[maryjane]

The night was growing cooler and a small shiver passed threw Mary-Jane as she stood just in the back door of the Slaughtered Lamb Inn. A horrid name for a tavern but a name nonetheless. Mary-Jane had no say in what the place was called all she knew was that it was a job, albeit a job she much disliked but a job nonetheless. It was this or become a prostitue which was something would never lower herself to. Not only that but men couldn't get anywhere near her without her flinching away in fear. The cool night air brought her back from her thoughts and reminded her that she was supposed to be working. Though would have liked nothing more than to escape out that very door she was leaning against she knew that she wouldn't have a job to come back to should she leave now.

Steeling herself up for the unevitable she put on one of her smiles and walked back into the kitchen where she was greeted by the cook who was washing some dishes. A black and white kitten was winding its way in between the elderly womans legs causing a soft giggle to escape the young woman's lips. The elderly woman smiled brightly at the laughter of Mare. mare's laughter was so rarely heard in this place. It was a troubled place usually filled with drunkards and unfaithful men who wanted to get away from their wives. Most people in this bar that there was a no touching rule when it came to Mary-Jane but most choose to ignore that rule and would try for a handful every now and again. If Mary-Jane wasn't already afraid to be here she usually was terrified when she left every night.

Humming softly to herself she picked up a jug of ail and left the kitchen to enter the dinning area which was dimmly lit but did nothing to dispell the beauty of the young woman. A few other women where about though most of them had their luscious rumps planted in the laps of one of their patroons. Mare couldn't help but feel pity for these women who wouldn't be accepted in any other enviorment except this one. Most of the girls here had made mistakes in their youth and had given away their sacred gift thinking that the man would marry them and had been left as Mare had. De-flowered and so very alone. Though Mare's story was abit different and much more saddening. Though close to the same nonetheless.

A man gestured to her and she quickly went to him and filled his cup as he held it out to her. He gave her a look over before he gave her an approving smile. There was no doubt that Mary-Jane Leofric was a beautiful woman though she wouldn't agree to it herself. She still believed she was a shadow to her elder sister though her sister had married two years before to the man who she had fallen in love and on his wedding night had raped and beaten her in his drunken stupor. A flash of pain crossed over Mare's face as she backed away from the man who was still looking at her with hunger in his eyes. When she turned away from him she knew he was watching her leave. In the next moment the front door opened and a stranger whom Mary-Jane didn't know entered. After he had seated himself at a lone table in the back in the darkest part of the room she waited to see if anyone else would serve him before she approached and gave a sweet and gentle smile though she didn't get to close to him.

"W-What can I get you sir?" Mary-Jane said softly her voice just barely reaching over a whisper.

Her hands trembled slightly as they usually did while she was at work but she tried her best to keep her smile though she knew she was close to her breaking point. To many men had tried to grab at her this night and she didn't know how much more she could handle. Nonetheless she continued her job. There was something very unsettling about this man though she couldn't place what it was and she still tried her best to be patient and sweet as her job required. The lit candles caught the light auburn hues in her hair making it seem like it was burnt gold instead of a red. The bright sapphire blue of her eyes reflected the light showing the fear yet kindness that was always with her. As well as something else. An innocence that most if not all bar maid lacked.

[Vaughn Adeney]

Every man must decide
whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism
or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

Vaughn was not the kind of knight who displayed qualities that a man of his status and position should. Though he always wore his armor, he hated everything it represented. Still, the darkness of his wardrobe allowed him to lurk in the shadows and camoflauge himself to use the element of surprise to his advantage. Throughout his journeys in the world however, he enjoyed stopping every now and then for a drink. With no destination, and no limited time, he would often stop by in various taverns and just drink to his hearts delight. Survey the crowd. And sometimes, if he was lucky, irritate some of the ridiculous people that skulked around here.

He took a table in the corner, not wanting to draw any attention to himself. The only attention he was interested in gaining was that of the waitress who had already seen him, and now approached him. Vaughn looked at her. While he had keen intuition, it did not take a genius to recognize her uneasiness. She was stuttering and she looked rather timid. Vaughn was going to have fun with this. He gave her a bit of a smile. He was not the kind of man to break out in a full fledged, teethy white grin, but he was one who had a strong control of his emotions and could therefore falsely portray them. In this case, his smile was reflecting kindness and comfort, though they were two things he deeply lacked.

"Such a beautiful woman should not be so shy to approach someone. She should have more confidence and sureness of herself, especially an exquisite beauty such as yourself." He was not above complimenting women. Though it was true, he was not committed to anyone and so just had fun at left it at that. She would be no exception.