Eder Kemo wasn’t a place that was well watched. Most of the soldiers and attention was focused heavily on Teledahn, and the left overs given to the middle class areas of Eder Kemo…but the low class areas? The poverty and slums? No one could barely care. Though no true Urun soldier could be considered horrible, the “worse” one’s were assigned to the low areas, typically soldiers who had only been initiated a year or less and were given the chance to prove themselves by working in the slums. Many failed this little test however, for there were far less people to keep them in line unlike in Teledahn and corruption came easy. Too many taverns and whores lined the streets, and too many soldiers did dealings with shady characters. Though they could go months, maybe even a year or two doing this, they sooner or later got caught and were excused…but until then, they caused more havoc then help.

With such poverty, beauty was not something often seen, not like the aristocrat women. So when a opportunity came up to see such a beautiful woman in such dankness, such soldiers would not let it pass. These such soldiers happened to be the one’s Cecelie spotted, and they smirked to see her return in the building so hastily. To them, it meant a good game, and one they were going to take advantage of. They went towards the building and tried the door, only to see it was locked, but that was easily fixed. With one thrust, they kicked the door open and the four of them came inside, their eyes settling on the exotic looking woman before them. “Well hello there, dearie” They cackled as they slowly approached her. Some of them began rifling through the things in the room and moving things without any respect, while one, who seemed the leader, came close to her “You seemed rather quick to avoid us…are you hiding something?” He brought up a hand to touch her hair “If you are, perhaps we can work out an agreement to keep whatever it is a secret, hm?”

Traveling to so many places and learning so many religions as a young girl had taught Cecelie to detach herself from believing in any higher power. There were places that worshipped oceans, men, women, and who knew what else. It had all seemed so silly then, but now, as the soldier’s kicked in the door, Cece wished she had a God to pray to. If God wouldn’t do, then a devil to give her some sort of comfort.

Her entire body tensed as the seemingly alpha male approached her. She leaned against back her desk, standing rigid with her hands resting on the wood. Her eyes followed the other’s as they scavenged around the room, trifling through things that belonged to six and seven year olds. “Unless you’re looking for finger paints, you won’t find anything worth while here.” The petite woman slapped away the soldier’s hand as he touched her hair, sneering slightly as she did so. The thought of him touching her made her skin crawl, and all she wanted was for the dirty dogs to leave. Yet as most women would have been compliant to keep the men at bay and make them move along quickly, Cece felt the itch to bite back just a little. She wasn’t the type to bite her tongue and bend down. “So it’s for the best that you get going on your way, soldier.”

Although many of the soldiers in the depths of Eder Kemo were seen as corrupt, there was one that certainly was not. Hawke chose to work here, where poverty and illness and crime was high and help was truly needed. He had worked in Teledahn before, and he had hated it. Stupid aristocrats whose worst problems were their carriages got stuck in the mud or their servant didn’t show up for work, and like hell Hawke was going to be there little lackey doing their mundane chores for them. Here people needed real help, from robbers and murderers and kidnappers, and he refused to work anywhere else although he was requested too. He walked the streets and made sure his presence was known, just seeing him alone made people think twice about misbehaving, especially with his bad rap for knocking the brains out of people’s skulls for doing things they shouldn’t.

As he walked among the dirty streets he took an apple out of the sack at his hip and took a bite out of it. However he only got one bite before a child standing on the corner caught his eyes, practically skin and bones he was. Hawke sighed and took a few steps towards the boy and tossed the apple at him, who caught it greedily and took a quick and large bite out of it as if Hawke might change his mind and take it back before he could eat it “Get yourself home, boy. The streets aren’t a place to be at night” He told him gruffly but the boy shrugged “Don’ have a home, sir” He said simply and took another bite of the apple. Hawke sighed and shook his head some and continued on walking. He couldn’t help everyone, he couldn’t get that boy of the street, he could only make sure the street was safe enough for him to be.

As he passed a building her glanced inside, pausing to see some soldiers inside with a woman. Deciding to see what was going on he watched as the woman slapped one of the soldier’s hands away…and the soldier react quite unpleasantly. The soldier growled and grabbed at the woman harshly, pushing her back against the desk “Stupid bitch! You dare lift a hand to a soldier!” The other men stopped to watch, snickering among one another. “I’ll do what I wish and leave when I wish!”. Hawke quickly moved towards the door and stepped inside “Soldier, stand down” He said firmly, glaring at the soldier as he turned to see who it was. Seeing it was just another of his own he chuckled and backed away from Cecelie “Just showing this woman her place” There was camaraderie in his voice, thinking Hawke would be on his side…Hawke was not.

Bitch. Oh how she hated the word. It was used only by men who had not been raised to respect their mothers, therefore they went onward without respecting women. Cece sneered even more as she was shoved against the desk, hearing the snickers though her eyes didn’t leave the fool in front of her. “Your choice of words make you sound like a child, so maybe you aught to stay here.” She did teach children, after all.

After the words left her mouth Cecelie tensed her body, ready for another shove or slap, or whatever came her way. She wasn’t expecting yet another soldier to stride in, adding a number to the pack of men that looked at her like wolves to a sheep. There were five. Five overbearing, powerful men who loomed over her. The thought of what was about to happen to her made Cece tremble, but she sturdied herself and remembered the knife she had tied to her upper thigh.

“I know my place. You’re the one that isn’t welcome here. Get out.” Oh lord, if only her mother had taught her when to shut her mouth rather than speak her mind. Even with such bold swords she kept herself closer to the desk than to the soldier, but boldly pointed to the door, just incase he was lost. “The door is that way.” Don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out, but there was a terrible feeling that leaving wasn't what this soldier had in mind.

The soldier turned on her and grabbed at her arm roughly “I will silence that mouth, woman! And you will not enjoy it…but I shall” He smirked at her darkly and Hawke stepped closer “Is there any true reason why you are here harassing this woman?” He raised his voice to show he meant business, that he was not here to help them in their abuse. “She seemed suspicious” One of the others spoke up and Hawke gave him a look that could have been called sarcasm, glancing around the room then to the soldiers “You are right…quite suspicious” He sneered and turned back to their apparent leader “The woman wishes you to leave, so respect what she says”. The man let her go, shoving her away and turning to glare at Hawke “You are just the same as me, I do not need to listen to you!”. Hawke gave him a look. His words displeased him.

Hawke suddenly moved forward quickly and grabbed at the man. The soldier was just as trained as he was and reacted quickly, cutting at Hawke’s hand, but this didn’t make Hawke hesitated and he slammed the man down on the floor and kneeled before him, holding a knife to his throat “How long have you been a soldier? Six? Eight months?” He demanded. The other soldiers stepped close, but were hesitant to interfere when the dispute was between them alone. The soldier tried to fight him off, but seemed to quickly understand who was the true alpha “Five..months” He spat and Hawke sneered “I have been a soldier for twenty years. I am not the same as you. To be a Urun soldier is to have honor, respect and morality, which you have none” He then stood, grabbing the man by the neck and hoisted him up before shoving him away.

“Now leave this woman alone and do the duty you are to do, while it lasts, for rest assured the captain of the guard will hear of this” The soldiers hesitated, debating whether to fight Hawke or not, but decided against it and left silently. He followed them to the door and made sure they left down the street before looking down at his cut hand, wiping it on his trousers before turning to look at the woman he just saved “You alright, miss?” He asked, his face and voice stoic.

The soldier managed to twist her wrist when he grabbed her arm, making Cece wince but she stiffened her jaw. Her normally gentle eyes were harsh, staring down the man as he snapped at her. The other’s in the room did little to distract her, and just as she was about to bark back the fifth soldier caught her attention and she shut her mouth.

The last man to enter had her attention as he spoke. Her eyes watched him from around the bold but stupid soldier, but she was still harsh. Cece backed up even further when the first soldier was snatched away, and she clutched her wrist against her chest. Just as quickly as her mind began to think of how to get around the soldier’s and out of the classroom the fight was over and the stupid soldier was on his knees.

It was a rare opportunity for Cece to overhear a conversation between soldiers. They were normally careful not to speak too loudly in front of the lowlives that lived in the slums, so her eyes were filled with curiosity as they spoke. Hated, but curiosity was right below the surface… After the brave one chased the others out Cece continued to glare at him as a fox who had entered her hen house. Bad memories with soldier’s battled with her compassionate nature as she looked at him, staring even after his question as if she hadn’t heard him. Finally she broke and glanced down to his hand, stepping closer to him. She nodded to his question, all the while staring at the deep cut in his hand, then looked up once she was close. “You’re not welcome here either, soldier.” The word had a hint of disgust. “But you’re hurt.” With that she grabbed his uninjured hand and tugged, trying to pull him back to her desk (but not before shutting the door). “Don’t get too comfortable, just sit down."

He could see her hatred of him, which hardly affected him, not many around here looked at soldiers with kindness and respect, all because of the scoundrels like the one’s he just kicked out sullied there reputation in these parts. He did not expect nor need thanks from her or a sign of gratitude, he did what was needed and that was all. If she was alright, he would not bother her and be on his way. Looking at her however, he understood why she had been a target to those men…she was breathtaking. He had never ventured out of Uru and not many from other Ages would choose Uru to move too after what happened in the war. To see someone so exotic was extremely rare so….my, she was beautiful, that’s really all he could think. He stared at her but showed no emotion on his face, and when she took so long to answer he only assumed she didn’t understand “You do not speak cleft?”

When she did speak he merely nodded his head “Then I will leave” He would respect her wishes, she didn’t want him around then he wouldn’t stick around and anger her further. But suddenly she grabbed his hand and pulled him, and at first he didn’t move, standing there like a stone but he suddenly took a step forward and followed her to her desk “I have had worse injuries. I am fine” He insisted. A cut on the hand was hardly concerning, he had been stabbed in the gut before. He could not take his eyes off of her…well educated he may have been, but the delicate mannerisms that aristocrats learned he did not have. “Are you from Riven?” He had heard of the Rivenese, that they were a savage people that rather die than leave their Age…but with her dark skin, it’s all he could assume.

If it had been any other man Cece would have giggled when he asked if she didn’t speak Cleft. She would have been flattered by his staring, and would have been more playful if only she could see past his uniform and title. Instead she stared with an unamused expression and kept the tension between them rather than trying to ease it.

“Don’t leave.” There was plenty of hatred for soldier’s written in Cece’s bones, but there was not a part of her that would let a man leave hurt after he had just helped her. “It does not matter if you have had worse injuries. I am going to take care of this one.” Once he caved and went to her desk she gestured for him to have a seat. “Sit.”

After settling him down she went around her desk to pull open the drawers, bending down to dig in them for some bandage wrap. She then pulled out a clean cloth and took her bottle of water and got it wet. With her bandaging and cloth she went around to stand in front of the soldier and took his hand, gently cleaning the cut. When the subject of Riven came up Cece knitted her brows, paused, then looked up at him slowly. “What does that matter? I’m allowed to be here now.” Did he think she was in Uru illegally? Wonderful. Just what she needed. The young woman went back to cleaning his hand, and after a few moments began to notice a trend in scars across his arms and hands. She lifted his other hand and examined it for scars before she began wrapping his injured palm. “You should take better care of yourself, soldier. You are too young to have so many scars.”

Hawke wasn’t very good with people, so for her to tell him he wasn’t welcome but then to say she didn’t want him to leave, he felt confused on what exactly she wanted. Maybe she was crazy, no one that beautiful could possibly be normal, could they? She seemed insistent in helping him however so he decided just to give in to her wishes and do as she said. Not that it would hurt, at least he could admire her for a little longer. He sat down as she instructed, rather just functioning as a obedient dog at this point, what else to do? “It really is fine” He wouldn’t even bandage the wound, just rinse it off in some water and continue on in his work. It wasn’t the hand he held his sword with, so it was not a concern.

When she answered his question he realized her hatred of soldiers truly was remarkable for her to automatically be suspicious of him for asking where she came from. “That is not what I meant” His voice was monotone “The color of your skin is not common here.” He sat there unflinching as she cleaned the wound, feeling the sting but it wasn’t enough to show on his face. When she seemed interested in his scars his brows furrowed some, wondering why she was paying so much attention to them. To him they were apart of who he was, he didn’t even notice them anymore. “I am too old to have so little of them” He had gone on his first patrol when he was ten. He was a good fighter and healed well, if not then there would have been many more.

It wasn’t as though Cecelie wanted the soldier in her messed up classroom, but she wanted to fix his hand. It was the least she could do since he had saved her the trauma of whatever the other soldiers were about to do. She shuddered to think of what would have happened if he hadn’t intervened. When he said it was fine she gave him a look, then shook her head and went back to cleaning it. “Stop fussing and let me help you.” She said gently, then lifted his hand to hers and pressed her fingers against his to check the function of his hand and make sure it could still bend.

The color of her skin? It was darker than most in the area, but people in the slums were so dirty she hardly noticed their pale complexion compared to hers anymore. “I have been here too long, I forgot that I do not fit in here.” She hardly fit in in the slums at all, actually, and it wasn’t just because of her complexion. “Originally I am from J’nanin, but my father was from elsewhere.” He was the source of her darker skin, but he never brought up the Age where he was born.

She began wrapping his hand delicately, and maneuvered the bandage around his hand so he would still be able to bend and fight with it. His statement made her frown, but quickly wiped the emotion off her face. She couldn’t feel sympathy for a soldier, could she? “Do you have more than these?” She found herself touching his forearm, feeling the groove of a scar before she pulled her hand back and finished the wrap on his hand. For a moment she stood close to him, looking him over before she was distracted by the sound of voices outside.

He was fussing? He didn’t think he was capable of such a thing, but apparently she thought he was. He probably hadn’t truly fussed since he was a baby, but he reminded himself to just listen to the beautiful woman and let her do what she wanted until she decided to kick him out for real. She seemed to know what she was doing as she checked his hand “Are you a doctor?” There were many make-shift doctors and nurses around here and although she was sitting here in this little school, for her to also be a self-made doctor wasn’t farfetched, he heard about it all the time. People had to make a living; he had once met a man who was a blacksmith and a cook, or a woman who was a whore and a seamstress. Of course him being a soldier he had access to the best doctors, one’s who actually went to school for it, but Hawke at times preferred to use people in the slums if things weren’t serious, help give them business.

She certainly did not fit, he thought she was too pretty to fit around here. She looked and acted more the type of woman some aristocrat would have in Teledahn as his mistress, paying for her home and jewels and dresses. “J’nanin?” She didn’t look J’nanin at all, they were pale and husky people and she was hardly those things. However if her father was somewhere else…it had to be Riven, didn’t it? Unless he came from a Age that was now long gone, thanks to Uru destroying it in the war. “Some think I am from there” He had no idea where he was from, he just always assumed he was from Uru, he fit in perfectly. He had come to think he was some bastard child of a aristocrat, a mistake from some forbidden affair. However he had met a fisherman from J’nanin once, who had asked him if he hailed from J’nanin. Hawke didn’t see it, but something about him had made the man think he came from that Age, so he had always wondered from then on.

He watched her as she touched his forearm, feeling stirrings in his body. He was a man, and he had had woman here and there in his lifetime, but not often and nothing that lasted more than a few days. He nodded “Yes, everywhere” On his legs, back, chest, neck, arms….he was covered in them. He moved his hand about when she finished to make sure it felt right, then put his hand down and went back to watching her. He glanced back when he heard the voices as well then back to her “Do you live in here?” Some people lived where they worked, so he wondered if she was the same.

A doctor? Cece looked up from the man’s hand and raised a brow. He certainly asked a lot of questions. She studied his face for a moment before going back to his hand. “I know a thing or two.” Her mother had been trained as a doctor in J’nanin, but their training wasn’t as thorough as people from other Ages. They were a relaxed Age, and it was exactly the way Cece liked it. “My family traveled a lot, so I had to learn—“ What was she doing telling a soldier her life story? She bit her lip gently to stop herself from speaking and cleared her throat.

“Yes. Can you tell? The women are thicker there.” She spoke as if she was tempting him to say more and get himself thrown out. When he seemed unsure of his own origin she tilted her head. “You do not know where you come from?” Again sympathy for the soldier showed in her eyes as she studied his face for what felt like the fifteenth time.

The idea of an entire body being littered with scars intrigued her and she looked him over, staring at his chest as though trying to see through his armor, then her eyes roved down further and she felt herself blush until she was able to pretend like she was looking down to his calves. “No, I have a home. I only stayed late tonight because I had work to do.” The blush had faded enough for her to look at his face again. “Do you live on the street so you are able to come to the rescue more quickly?” A small smile illuminated her features, giving up her hatred just a little. He had saved her, after all. She stood and went around her desk and began packing a few things into a pouch so she wouldn’t have to wait around for the soldier’s to come back after this one had gone.

It was in his ingrained nature to ask questions, it’s what soldiers did, part of the job description. They learned how to answer questions and how to do it so people didn’t feel threatened, though that wasn’t what he was doing. He had no suspicions about her, he was merely curious about her, which was rare for him. Nothing really took his interest, but she did and he didn’t even know her name or spent more than ten minutes with her. He merely nodded at her answer and left it at there, it was sufficient enough information for him. He did notice however that she cut herself off, and he understood why. No one liked sharing to much information with strangers, especially not a soldier. It was fine.

“That is why you do not fit” She was tiny, certainly not like J’nanin women. He then shook his head “I was abandoned as a baby. I have no knowledge of my origins” And he didn’t seem bothered by that one bit, and he wasn’t. What was he going to do? Spend his life lamenting over the fact he never knew his mother or father? Of course not, he didn’t have time for such a thing to occupy his thoughts. He was alive, that was good enough for him. “A nanite man however once questioned if I came from J’nanin. I do not know why, or if he was accurate” Hawke was surprised he was speaking so much. Generally he was a no, yes, maybe person, not one to elaborate or speak full sentences.

He watched her watch him and noticed the blush on her cheeks, which on the inside it made him chuckle but nothing showed on the outside. Was she admiring him? He sure was admiring her, that was for certain, but he was ever so subtle about it. He nodded “Yes” He didn’t take what she was saying as a joke, he didn’t technically sleep on the streets but he would stay with families, in taverns, any place that would take him. Every week he’d go back to Gabreeson to report and get proper rest, then return right back to work. When she smiled however, it made her even more lovely, but he didn’t smile back…he wasn’t sure he knew how too. He stood as she went to her desk “If you wish, I could escort you home”

Trust wasn’t something that came easily with Cece, but there was something about this soldier. Most soldier’s (All, if you ask Cece) were not to be trusted, especially ones that worked in this area. It was an awful area, and even the most noble of jobs in the slums were fulfilled by scum. Still there were children here who deserved to learn, and most people kept to themselves. They didn’t question her.

She gave him a look at his answer, and would have smirked if she knew he wasn’t doing it to be flattering. He was so stoic, she began to wonder if the man knew how to smile underneath his armor and stiff jaw. Once again that sympathy filled her eyes when he told her he had been abandoned and she frowned, pouting her lip just a little. “How awful. I’m sorry to hear that.” It would bother her for the rest of the evening, but she swallowed to try and forget it. “Maybe it is accurate. You are rather large.” Those words only fueled her blush even more and she shut up for a few moments after that.

As she was packing her bag her shoulders slumped at his answer and she leaned against the desk. “Tell me that you’re lying, soldier. Your story is going to eat at me, and it makes it more difficult to be rude to you.” She slung her pouch over her shoulder and grabbed the two keys from off of her desk, heading towards the door. Cece mulled the offer over, then looked over her shoulder at him. “If you wish. Come on.” She gestured for him to follow so she could try and lock the broken door behind her.

When she gave him that look for his comment he looked a bit perplexed, wondering why he had warranted such a reaction from her and not realizing she thought he was giving her bullshit. He was surprised to see sympathy from a woman who apparently hated soldiers, but he had seen such a look before from others. He was flattered he supposed that they felt the need to pity him, but he felt it was unnecessary. He shrugged nonchalantly “No need to feel sorry. It does not bother me. My life is well” He felt he had a good life, though others would disagree since he had no childhood and no options in his life, but how did a dog who grew up in a cage know any better? He had a good paying position, had gotten a good education and was able to keep others safe. Better than living a fancy life as an aristocrat.

Her comment on him being large made a small smile crack on his lips. It was brief, but it had amused him to be called large so earnestly and to see her blush because of it. She was sweet, it was a nice change from the hardened, slinky woman he normally encountered in this area. He frowned and looked confused “I do not commonly lie, miss” Why was she so bothered by his simple yes? She had asked a question and he had answered, he didn’t see why she was upset by it. “But you may be rude to me if it pleases you. What I say shouldn’t change that” Though so far he hadn’t seen this rudeness she spoke off, but perhaps it was coming and it wouldn’t bother him.

He nodded when she accepted his offer and walked with her to the door, pausing to look at it “I could fix this” It was the least he could do, since it had been his fellow soldiers who had broken it. He glanced around the area out of habit for anything suspicious or at of place then return to looking at her, which was quite easy to do, his eyes seemed to automatically fall to her.

He had been abandoned, had no place to go, and on top of it all he was modest. What was wrong with him? He, of all soldiers, should have been corrupt and cruel… yet he wasn’t. It was becoming increasingly difficult to snap harsh remarks at the soldier. It was good she missed his small smile since she was too busy looking elsewhere to hide her bashfulness, because if she had seen the smile she would have given up. She would have had to start being nice to him.

“Another time. I want to get home now.” She waved at the broken door and shrugged. “There is nothing of great value in there… nothing that a thief would want, only children’s art work and stories. I would imagine most people around here cannot even read.” So stealing kid’s books would be a waste.

For most of the walk Cece stayed silent. She continued to glance over at the soldier, looking him over, then looking forward again until her eyes drifted back to him. Finally after a few minutes of walking (and taking short cuts through a dark alley or two) she broke the silence. “Why are you being so kind? You are supposed to be a stupid soldier, who only follows orders. I do not have anything that you want.” Yes she did, that’s why her mother had been killed. “Do you even have a name, soldier? Or should I call you by a number?”

He followed her though about two steps ahead, swift and silent and one hand on his sword the entire time. Most people wouldn’t mess with a soldier, but there were those who liked to try or perhaps wouldn’t realize he was a soldier and try to attack and if it happened, he wanted to be ready. His head swiveled back and forth, checking every nook, cranny and corner as they walked and even though he lead ahead a few steps he still managed to follow her direction regardless. He didn’t mind the silence between them, he wasn’t much of a talker to begin with and liked silence when he was to be on alert, helped keep him focused, but so far it appeared to be a quiet evening.

When she spoke he glanced to her, then did a double take when her words sank in. Well, he had never been asked such a thing before…at least, not so directly and blunt. People have questioned his kindness, but certainly not like she just did. “I do not enjoy brutality” Was his simple reply, for it was true and really all he had to say. He wasn’t stupid and he wasn’t cruel, he tried to be a good person, that was all, so if that happened to make him different than the others then he would be proud to be different. He then returned to looking around “Hawke, miss, is what they call me. But you may call me whatever you wish”

Cece always ended up taking the short cuts through alleys because she was so quick and petite. She was silent normally, and moved quickly through them with her head down. Head down and no questions asked kept her safe in the Eder Kemo, or at least it did for the most part… Still she watched the soldier with his hand on his sword and how alert he seemed and it almost made her feel safe before she realized it and wouldn’t allow that emotion to come due to a soldier. They were all trouble.

The young woman clutched her bag tightly to her after she snapped at the soldier, and looked perplexed at his answer. It softened her expression, and she let it sink in before responding. “You must experience quite a bit of it, you are a soldier after all…” Now she felt like the stupid one as she couldn’t let her grasp go of the fact that he was a soldier.

They were nearly at her door when he gave her his name and she toyed with her key in her hand. Her manners urged her to say it was a pleasure to meet him but her mouth wouldn’t obey. Instead she went up the few steps to her door and unlocked it, glancing around before she looked back at him. He had plenty of opportunity to harm her already, and he hadn’t. Unless he was a sick, psychopathic soldier who would only lead her to trust him in the slightest before doing her harm, she believed she was in the clear. She fumbled with her decision at first. “Would you like to come in, Hawke? If you are hungry, or thirsty… Just come in, please.” She couldn’t have her conscience eating away at her knowing he didn’t have a permanent home, and wondering all night if he was alright for tonight.

He watched her as they walked and his expression seemed disproving of the way she was walking, and the way she was traveling. Not like there was truly any safe place in this part of Eder Kemo, but back alleys were always just to be avoided no matter what. And her body language….he shook his head “You should not travel this way” Was all he said, not knowing if she even cared for his opinion so he only mentioned a little and if she wanted elaboration he would give it, if not he would continue to keep his mouth shut. He nodded “I fight when I need too. I don’t when it’s not” He didn’t pick a fight or threatened someone just to do it, when it was necessary he would apply force but more than not people were more compliant with diplomacy.

When they got to what appeared to be her home he stopped at the base of the steps and watched her walk up them. He stood at ease, deciding to wait until he saw her enter before he’d say he completed his task of getting her home safe. When she unlocked the door but didn’t go in, he wondered what was the matter. Did she still think he meant to do something to her? Perhaps he needed to leave so she’d feel more comfortable entering her home and not thinking he was going to storm in after her “Have a good evening, miss. I will make sure those other soldiers are properly reprimanded” He then nodded to her and began to turn away, but stopped when she spoke. He was surprised she trusted him in her home, even others he felt trusted home around here still wouldn’t let him inside their homes or alone with them, especially women “Are you certain, miss? You owe me nothing”

All her life Cece had been a traveler. They had moved from Age to Age, city to city, and she had never been one to be afraid of where she roamed. So when Hawke pointed out a flaw in the way she traveled she raised a brow. “How do you mean?” He was different. Cece hadn’t given most soldiers the time of day to talk to her, but they couldn’t all possibly be like him… if they were there would be no corruption. Who knew, maybe he was lying about all of it.

She had already began trying to talk herself into feeling safe around him. Mentally she argued with herself, barking at both ends of her conscience. Was he to be trusted? He was a man after all, and a stranger, and a soldier… but he had saved her. She fiddled with her hands as she stood on her doorway, then relaxed and dropped them to her sides. “Yes, come inside... and please call me Cecelie.”

The petite woman held the door just long enough for the soldier to follow before she went inside, lighting a lantern and a few candles as she maneuvered through her humble home. It was small, but decorated with color and smelled of a warm, sweet aroma. They entered the living room that was cluttered with a few canvases of bright abstract landscapes and she set her bag down as she moved to shuffle them all in a corner. “Can I get you a glass of water or wine?” Teachers didn’t make much, but she made due with what she had and her home was welcoming. “Or are you hungry, Hawke?” Why was she being so nice to him? Her mind was still baffled by itself and she stood still for a moment, looking him over until she tried to distract herself by slipping her shoes off and rolling up her sleeves, then running her hands through her long dark hair. It had most definitely been a long day.

“You act weak, so you will be seen as weak” He started, taking his time with his words so he did not offend her. In his experience, women offended easily, and he may be able to fight against many things but he couldn’t do much if a woman slapped him for not understanding how to properly speak to her. He cleared his throat and tried to figure out how to properly explain. He was used to speaking with other soldiers, giving curt orders, not advice that may not even be welcomed “If you walk with your head up, alert, a strong back and easier pace, you will be seen less.” He motioned to her “Scurrying with your head down…your automatically a target”

Cecelie was her name? He thought it suited her well. When she confirmed she wanted him to come inside he walked up the steps and entered her home, her eyes darting around before settling on her as she lit candles. He slowly moved about the space some before stopping near her paintings and looking them over, making sure to keep his hands to himself. He looked up at her and hesitated for a moment before answering “Water, thank you” He didn’t like taking food or anything else from people, then needed it far better than he did. When she slipped her shoes off and got so comfortable, a rare smile cracked his lips. All he could think of were the aristocrat women, or even the women who lived in the better areas of Eder Kemo. Those women would never dare be so casual infront of someone. They’d get their servants to pour tea, and sit on their pretty couches after fussing with their dress for fifteen minutes. He liked that she wasn’t like that. Those women tired him.

Weak? Cecelie had never been a priss girl by any means so she scowled at his words. "I am not weak." But he seemed to be deciphering over his words so she let him continue. It made sense, but she couldn't give the soldier too much credit. "I already am a target. If I hurry maybe they won't catch me." It was true. She had caught the other soldiers' eye because she hurried. She wrinkled her nose a bit at it and mulled the idea over, wondering if he was right. "Are you saying I should walk as though I have a stick up my rear end, like you?" A smirk danced across her lips. "I mean, should I walk like I weild a sword like you?"

Once she was home she felt more at ease. It was a comfort to be home. As she looked up from making hersef more comfortable she noticed the smile and tilted her head. "Yes?" She questioned, then looked down to her shoes. "I had a long day." She defended herself quietly, then turned to go get him some water and bread with a little bit of butter. She returned after a few moments and gestured to the couch. "Go ahead and have a seat." She sat his things down on the table in front of the couch before going to get herself a glass of water. "How long have you been a soldier, Hawke?" The curious woman asked as she returned.

He looked away and cleared his throat quietly. See, defensive, he should have known better than to say anything, but he was only trying to help keep her safe. “There is nothing you can change about them targeting you, that is true. I only meant to say hurrying makes you seem suspicious ” Unless she suddenly made herself ugly then they would over look her, but with her pretty face any soldier yearning for a woman would go after her first. Her comment made him look at her quickly, not sure if he was ready to defend himself or not, but when he saw her smirk he realized she was teasing him “You could always be taught to wield a sword” A woman with a sword wasn’t common, but there were women who were soldiers and women who knew how to fight as well as a man.

He quickly wiped the smile off his face when she noticed and shook his head “Nothing, miss” He hadn’t meant to be caught smiling, but since he didn’t do It often he wasn’t certain how to hide it well. When she defended himself he decided to elaborate, in hopes she didn’t think he was laughing at her “You are just very different, from the women in Teledahn” The prisses in Teledahn was more accurate, but he was being respectful. He sat down when she gave him permission too, wondering why she had invited him in. “Almost twenty years.” He responded promptly “I began training when I was five. I had my first call when I was ten” He answered with proficiency, as if he was being asked by his captain, but it was a question often asked by others soldiers.

“I know how to wield a sword, soldier.” It was true, she had learned as a young girl. “But I have only ever been playful with one. I am peaceful.” She had only ever play fought with a boy in the group that her family traveled with, but he had later used his skills to fight and defend her and her mother. Unfortunately he passed the same night her mother did, but he had managed to save Cecelie. “I suppose I could always learn to get better with one.”

Cecelie hadn’t encountered many women in Teledahn, so she tilted her head again curiously at Hawke’s answer. “I hope I may take that as a compliment.” She maneuvered through the small living room and sat upon a chair across from Hawke, drinking her water and crossing her ankles as she sat. “Ten?” Her face softened, feeling that ever-present sympathy reach her cinnamon eyes. “So you know nothing besides being a soldier? Are you married? Do you have an adopted family?” Once again it was difficult to be mean to the soldier, even though his title still made her skin crawl.