Thar Shaddin

Both Talia and the groom looked back and forth between the Shade and the bride. It didn't take long for Talia to start giggling, it was only a matter of time before Shade ran into one of his many ex-lovers and girlfriends, and she couldn't help but stand back and watch how this unfurled.

"You are on you own with this." She whispered through a grin.

"Alexia? How do you know this....Shade?" The groom asked giving Shade a once over before putting his arm protectively around his newly acquired wife.

"I-I...He...." The woman stuttered for a moment as she glanced shocked between Shade and her groom. That is, until her face began to turn purple and she gave a dramatic huff of breath. Her eyes grew narrow as she wrinkled her nose in clear disgust and turned her face completely to her husband, leaving heavily on his arm as she sniffled sadly. "D-dear. Do you remember.... the night we first met under that tree...?"

"...It wasn't him was it?"

"Yes! He used me for my body and when he grew bored of me, threw me to the trash." She cried. "He was a monster! He suckled me into trusting him, then when I thought we were in love he left me for another! No doubt a woman as beautiful as I.... Oh Robert! I cannot bear this humiliation! He's left me, broken my virtues and now flaunts yet another woman in front of me on my wedding day! He's horrible!"

"...I hate to point something out, but we never had sex." Shade said with a frown. "There was no way."

"Quiet! You lied, broke my heart and you still have the gaul to call me a liar on my special day?How could you! Monster! You never were good with women! You're a monster who uses them to your advantage, a shifter to the core!" She screamed as her hand came up and slapped him hard across the cheek. He grimaced, keeping his face turned from her but his eyes locked once more on her trembling form. "Coward! Liar! How could you?! You have no room for love in that selfish black heart!"

"..." Shade didn't respond. He couldn't defend himself from that, not on the girl's wedding night. So, he just kept his head low and let her scream at him. The only real thought he had, was he hoped Talia cleared herself from him. This would end up embarrassing for them both.

A look of shock crossed Talia's face as the girl rambled on about how horrible Shade had been to her. He tried to defend himself but Alexia would have none of it and continued to complain. Finally Talia had enough and was about to step in and pull him away when he was slapped. For some reason, that made her blood boil. Taking a step forward Talia shoved her.

Alexia stumbled back, her tears frozen as she looked up at Talia in surprise.

"Don't you EVER touch him again." She hissed, crossing her arms and glaring at her. "Shade may be many things but he would never do all those things you are saying he did. I don't care if this is your special days, you don't speak ill of my friends. Didn't your mother ever teach you to keep your mouth shut if you can't say anything nice? Come on Shade, I'd rather not celebrate the marriage of a liar, I feel sorry for the groom." Talia sneered over her shoulder as she started to walk away, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

To say Shade was stunned was an understatement. Tispy or not, he'd never seen Talia get this angry over something like that. Yet as she shoved the bride, yelled, and dragged him away with a dramatic flip of the hair he couldn't help but feel a bit softer. His eyes softened as he stretched his legs to catch up with her, pulling free of her grip and taking her hand instead. It wasn't a dramatic grab, nor was it a sarcastic one. It was a simple squeeze of thanks as they walked out of the wedding and back onto the streets.

"...Thanks." Shade mumbled softly, bowing his head almost shyly as he gave her a gentle nudge with his shoulder. He grinned at her, a true pleased grin that for once wasn't faked. He laughed a little, tightening his grip for a moment before releasing it completely. "I don't think I'd of done anything to a bride, not like that one. Though, you gotta know some of what she said was true. I was the one who dumped her under that tree."

She blew out a long breath, her face red and a little bit of anger still on her face. "I wasn't going to just stand there and just listen to that little bi....brat...say all those things. And I knew some of it was true but it couldn't be all true. I don't know you that well but I like to think I know you well enough to know you could never be that cruel. Plus....I could tell those tears were fake nobody looks that good when they are bawling for real." Talia was calming down and grinned up as Shade as she made a bit of a joke.

"Wait a minute!" A voice called as Talia was about to suggest they go enjoy the evening else where. She looked up and groaned and saw the groom rushing towards them.

"I can't let you leave like that! You..you upset my bride and I demand you go apologize." Robert stuttered out.

"Let me guess? She made you come and say that?" By the look on his face Talia knew she was right. She laughed and took a step towards him. "How about....you just let us go one our way and I promise not to upset your bride anymore. Because if I go back there I can't promise that horrible things won't be done and said." Talia's tone was cheerful but in an almost eery way as she smiled coyly at the groom.

"Easy Tal'." He murmured gently as he gave her a soft nudge with his shoulder. Looking up at the groom, his eyes narrowed and he cleared his throat. Still, when he spoke it came out in a growl which defeated his attempt at kindness. "Anyway, listen here man. I am not the most noble of fellows but I wouldn't do something to a woman like that."

"Any man could say that." the groom pointed out with a huff. "Why would I believe you?"

"...I suppose I wouldn't either." Shade grunted itching the back of his head sheepishly. "Anyway, on another note we didn't even know it was her wedding or I wouldn't have went. I may be an asshole but I'm not that big of one. Though, whoever took her virginity wasn't me. You may want to clarify some of those facts up quick."

"From what I hear, you lie quite a lot. I don't believe you." the groom spat. "I demand you-"

"You will command nothing." Shade growled as his teeth began to show. "I am not going to be ordered by some halfwit who can't even tell when he's getting played. No doubt you have money, all the decorations and your fancy ass clothes scream it. You're stupid as hell and undoubtedly appear to have a stupid sense of justice! Wake up man! She's using you for your damn money while she can go and play with some bloody twits behind your back! You aren't the first dumbass to fall for her cheap tricks!"

With that Shade spat on the ground, bowing his head as he forced his shouting to fall quiet again. Grinding his teeth he glanced over at Talia before scoffing, lowering his head a bit more a he spoke in a strained but low tone.

"She's a bloody trophy wife." He growled. "That's how I met her and also why I broke it off. I don't play with married women."

Talia's anger subsided completely as she noticed how riled up Shade was getting. It would do no good if they both were angry and matters got worse because of it. She Placed a hand on Shade's arm, a silient warning to remain calm and not do anything crazy.

She shook her head at Shade's explaination. She hate it but it sadly was true that there were women, and even men, who were like that. "This is not our issue anymore." She whispered softly to Shade. "Come, let's go, he can't stop us and we don't need to be here to have any fun."

This time she grabbed Shade's hand as she turned to walk away and hoped that this time they would be able to make a successful escape

Shade allowed himself to be lead, his lips curling in a frustrated scowl as he followed after her. He wasn't blaming the man and he really did have a bad reputation but that didn't mean he was a complete asshole. Oh well, he let the man know and if he didn't like it, then he could ignore it. It wasn't Shade's problem anymore.

"Alright Tal, 'm comin'." Shade grumbled as he walked after the woman with a huff. There was a reason he didn't really trust men or women. Only Drayel and steadily growing Talia did he trust enough to actually relax a bit. Anybody else and the walls went up. He glanced down at the baker and felt his anger slip a bit. "Hey... Once we lose this chump, lets go sit down somewhere. Damn drinks are startin' to catch up with me."

"Why Shade, are you telling me you can't hold your liquor?" Talia asked with a smirk as she continued to lead him down the street looking for some place nice to sit. She wasn't about to spoil the dress Drayel had been so kind to give her.

Up ahead she noticed a bench sitting under a nice tree and smiled at the cuteness of it. As long as the bench was free of food or bird droppings it looked like a perfect place to gather one's thoughts and anything else.

"This is perfect." She declared as they approached the bench. She let go of his hand, blushing slightly when she realized she as still holding it. She sat down and patted the space beside her as she smiled up at Shade..

"Oh the irony." Shade grumbled dully as he stared at the tree with a rather rude scowl. Still he sat down on the bench with a sigh, rubbing his hand through his hair while leaning back, eyes turned up to stare dully at the leaves above him. "and I can hold my liquor. Just not good at holding my temper. Must be a good influence on me already Tal."

He gave her a wolfish grin, eyes gleaming slightly as he eyed her gently. This was something new, something he hadn't felt in ages. That sort of soft feeling that came with the ideas of a family. He chuckled softly. Family, that was something he hadn't heard in a while.

"Say, did you know my father's a shifter as well?"

Talia tilted her head as she looked at Shade. "I have never heard anything about your family." She said simply, although smiling that he had told her something that was probably personal. "Is that where your got your ability to shift from?"

She was quiet for a moment before speaking up. "My father was some sort of magic user." She shared quietly. "I never knew him....but I turned out okay." The sadness in her voice was almost unnoticeable as she quickly switched her mood and grinned back at him.

A titter from around the corner caught her ears and she sat up straight looking around. "Did you here that?" She asked Shade as she squinted her eyes as she looked.

"Must have been my imagination." She said relaxing when she failed to see anyone.

"No, I heard it too." Shade said straightening, his eyes narrowed as he gave the air a cautious sniff. He paused, sniffing again before a low chuckle rumbled free of his chest. Quickly he tossed an arm over her shoulder, leaning so his head rested lightly on top of hers. He murmured lowly, his eyes remaining calm while his insides roared in laughter. "It's those ladies from the bread shop. The ones that groped me 'n Dray."

Sure to his expectations, they rounded the corner not far from the two of them. All three, the little one, the buggy eyed one and even the one with a crooked nose teetered around whilst gossiping. That is, until they spotted the two of them on the bench.

"Afternoon ladies!" Shade called waving a hand as he raised his head. "Quite a nice day, don't you think?"

"...Oh dear, you scandal you!" A giggle and they were surrounded like a pack of dingos versus a couple rabbits. The leader giggled, her crooked back and tiny size making her seem quite harmless despite the truth. "Why, isn't this Drayel's girl? What are we to do with you?"

"Indeed!" the woman with the nose said scoldingly. A twinkle touched her narrowed eyes as well. "Perhaps a lashing ought to fix you up. What do you think ladies? Belt or stick?"

"Ladies, ladies! It isn't what it looks like!" Shade cried out as he mocked his fears. "We wouldn't want this face hurt would we? Damaged goods aren't good for business after all. Anyway, Drayel's not even in town for now. I'm just looking out for the lovely baker is all."

Talia's eyes widened when Shade told her who was around the corner. She recalled the ladies who had attempted to molest Drayel several times and harassed her from getting in their way. She could understand why Shade would want to try to protect himself under the ruse of a relationship but she was clueless to why he choose to draw attention to them.

"What are you doing?" She hissed at him under her breath before turning and smiling at the crones as they approached.

The smile quickly froze though as they recognized her so easily and threatened to punish her for apparently cheating on Drayel. She cowered behind Shade as he tried to defend her from the threat of a whooping.

"Besides," She managed to squeak out, peering out from behind Shades arm that she was holding tightly in front of her. "Drayel and I were never...we are...we broke up." She finally managed to stammer out.

"Which means I can be seen with any man I choose and that just so happens to be dear Shade here." She grew more confident with her lie but that was quickly shot down.

"Oh my!" One of them cackled. "That means Draysie is open for business. He is no longer attached ladies!"

Talia groaned, she didn't mean to set him up like that. At least he was out of town for several days.

"Ladies, ladies! He just lost the love of his life! Somebody whom I myself now have under my arm." Shade scolded rather loudly. He nudged his head gently on her own and sighed. "Poor sod needs more than a few weeks to recover. His heart aches after all, seeing another woman may simply hurt him more."

"Oh, congratulations Mr. Corrin!" If he had a drink, he'd of choked. Startled he wheeled around and gaped as a woman smiled behind him, her eyes twinkling in delight as she clapped her hands together lightly. "I didn't know you had interest in the lovely baker lady! I'm glad! It's about time a man of your age settled on those nasty habits and found a young lady! Oh, sorry. Hello, I'm Ysole Fornsworth. I'm a school teacher. Pleased to meet you!"

"I think love of his life is over doing a bit don't you? We want this to be believable afterall." She muttered under her breath before realizing that Shade was no longer paying attention to her. Turning to peer around him she looked to see who was holding his attention.

"Well, Shade isn't that old yet." She attempted a giggle. "And his interest has been rather....recent." She grinned not daring to look at the biddies who no doubt could smell fear and any break in their story. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well! And how do you know Sha...Mr. Corrin?"