Adapted directly from live play, this very morning ! Special Thanks to Tetch's player, who is amazing


It was an early morning for Brian, as he found himself wandering the Dockside area, simply taking in the sights and sounds as he did so.

Rhy'Din's own Dockside saw Tetch herself visiting her less than respectable seafood locales. In years past, a different version of her would have wandered down a very different part of Dockside, but times changed, and so did people... even Siovanui Adennians, it turned out. A co-worker at her new job recommended the tilapia at the district she was in, and she found herself stepped back from placing her order, waiting on it, and gazing around at the morning hustle and bustle.

Mmmm, Tilapia... Or as one of Brian's daughters called it, 'Battlestar Talipica' or something. But in the interest of flow an what not, let's get back to tilapia, right? It seems that Bri too was a fan of the less than respectable places when it came to the eats, cause let's be honest... When people want good food, and don't have a butt load of monies to buy it, they go to the place that had the best bang for buck, and here in Dockside-- it was the less than respectable places that fit that bill. So follow the peeps to get to the eats, and that's what Brian did. So through crowd he made his way towards this one particular stall.

Tetch had humbled into her gender in recent years in a lot of ways, but the feisty, take-****-off-nobody persona was still very much alive inside of her, and showed itself when a busy customer attempted to cut line in-front of her. Then, let us say, that anyone familiar with Techichi might soon get a very apparent recollection of just who that woman was getting into a confrontation with a stranger in-front of the register desk. "Hey - I didn't see you there. I don't want to start anything, lady." The man retreated, both verbally and physically... or maybe less verbally, as he was about to find out. "Why don't you watch where you're going then? And don't call me lady. That's not how you talk to a woman. You call me 'Miss,' like a gentleman, and you apologize like one for offending me." Tetch looked quite serious, and when the man smiled, quite blown away that he was being put on the spot like this, it was evident things were only going to get worse from there if someone didn't do something soon to break them up.

Bri paused behind what looked to be some gathered folk, when he heard what sounded like a rather heated dispute... Well a one sided one for the moment, cause it seems the male half from what Brian heard was on the back pedal, which honestly made Brian chuckle a bit. Normally, he'd let it play out-- buuuuut he was still part of the Watch even when off duty, so he made his way through some peeps, towards the back pedaling male. "Everything alright here, folks?" Bri's hand settled on the shoulder of the male, offering a pat as he looked between the lady and male once more. A somewhat raised brow, as he addressed the male on the quick, "Called her 'Lady', didn't you..." A soft sigh, as Brian shook his head gently. Hoping to add some humor to the issue, and maybe deflect it a tad.

When the Watchmen approached and gave silence to the bickering two and intrigued gathering around them, it was a hot round of family feud, and Tetch hit her buzzer first. "This young fellow was cutting in line, bumped into me, and spoke to me very rudely. Maybe you could tell him he's not going to get anywhere acting that way around women." Tetch got very tunnel-visioned when she had her sights set on an enemy, but after speaking her peace, her field of view expanded somewhat, and she was able to identify the Watchmen as a very, very familiar face. She wasn't about to spit out Brian, but she knew his surname. "Hey, I know you..." And like that, the situation diffused itself with the audience diminishing seeing no more spark in the Adennian's eyes, and the man indeed relaxing to Brian's pacification of the issue. He sighed, threw his arms out, and relented to both their wishes. "Look, Miss, I am sorry if I offended you. Let me pay for your food."

"That'll be fine." Tetch said almost instantly.

Then she was back to looking at Brian, replaying the distant memory where she had had run-ins with him here in Rhy'Din, but above that, she recollected his history with a near and dear friend of hers. "You'll forgive me, but I've forgotten your name. But if you would tell it to me again, I'll promise to remember it."

"Well I'm sure he was just excited for the tilapia here, I gotta admit even I get excited when I get near some of these places, but even---" Brian's words came to a halt at the recognition, as he offered a cant of head briefly... When the man spoke up, and offered to cover the order for the lady, Brian just nodded a bit-- finally he caught himself again, "Ah there we go, happy ending for all. Thanks to you Sir!" That said Brian gave a good pat on the back, as he glanced about. 'Alright that said, let's get back in line and get some of this fish folks. An smile while yer doing it, it catches on, yeah?' As the gathered went back to their business, Brian turned to the lady once more, his eyes taking her in more so, as that voice of hers--- something, resounded deeply within him as he nodded once more so her, "I'm sorry-- there's something.. You're from Adenna? oh! I'm Brian.. Brian Ravenlock. And you are---" It was almost as if he knew it, truth be told. Really!

"Yea," She replied to his attempt at mystery-solving. She knew all too well what his brain was going through. ?I'm trying to place you as well. Brian." She repeated. "I believe you were a friend of a friend of mine. Talking about smiling, ugh. You were definitely one of his friends." She handed her well-manicured hand out to him. "Techichi, retired hero." She grinned and moved up in line.

Her hand was taken gently, and shaken. "Miss Techichi, a pleasure." He chuckled, "I'm semi-retired as well, some say hero-- I disagree. I was just a guy far too troublesome for any sane female, so to speak. In any event, it's nice to meet you. And you said-- a friend of yours?" Brian moved along with her, releasing her hand carefully.

?Here you are. Sorry again, Miss. Have a wonderful day." The newly-christened gentleman tipped his hat to both Tetch and Brian before being on his way with his order of two meals, both placed and tied in a plastic bag with a receipt waving in the wind. Tetch thanked him in a rather overly-nice voice, almost as if relishing in the fact she was a woman and had this unfair power to play on when it game to manners and the treatment of her gender. Oh yes, she was always smart to that game. Looking ahead while Brian might order something (she already had picked up her food ahead of him quite easily, not having any money to exchange with the cashier after all), she mulled thoughtfully over his words. "No, you were a hero. Whether you've maintained that title, I might be inclined to agree with you, but I'm confident at one time or another, you were one. Dyarhk didn't hang around talkers, he hung around doers. He was my friend."

He was about to order, when she'd spoken... Her words rang all too true, and more so struck home with authority. Almost as if she'd known him, even back when. Then she said his name-- 'Dyarhk...' For a moment, it looked as if Brian had been struck somehow, as he faltered ever so briefly. A quick recovery as he waved off the counterman, offering his place to another. He motioned aside himself to allow Tetch the way aside the line, as he took a somewhat deep breath. "Now, that's a name I've not heard in a long time, you know? Too long, honestly." He managed a warm smile, as he nodded to Tetch. 'I miss him."

All she offered was a soft smile to him in return. "Care to sit with me?"

"I'd like that, thank you."

She could tell when someone was being genuine, and it was a rarity to her in all honesty. Never mind the fact that she had been looking for someone to reflect on her past with -- someone who would understand, and so few would. But this man, head of the Ravenlock household, she remembered now: he was qualified to listen to her, and perhaps if she was lucky, old wounds might mend. She walked with him from the market traffic to a wood bench and sat down, wasting no time unwrapping her plastic bag and opening her Styrofoam box. With delicate finger pinches she manipulated her slaw and fish before opening her plastic silverware. She looked at Brian questioningly while she did this. :: "It's been five or so years since he's been gone. It doesn't feel like it."

?He was a good man. He crushed on me rather hard when he was younger. I'm sorry to say I hadn't noticed either one until it was too late." :: Regret took her over for a moment, but it was a faint thing, akin to "darn."

Taking a seat next to her, Brian watched her with a faint smile, nodding in reply. 'Honestly, it feels like to much more time had passed. I guess that's a given with everything that happened since then. He was a rare soul-- least in my eyes, there will never be another one like him. In fact-- I wouldn't be here had it not been for him, and that's on more than one occasion actually. My wife sometimes thinks that I never recovered from his passing, but I just tell her it's not that at all. Instead, it's that he's a part of me and as long as I'm here-- a bit of him is here, despite me missing him an such."

Women were careful whom they let see them eating. Tetch on the other hand never cared. She'd bite into a chop of dragon meat without a care in the world who saw her disregarding her non-existent ladylike behavior. But she had adopted them in recent years, and it was barely noticeable now even though the roots of her upbringing were dominating her presentation in this instance. At least she chewed her food, and when she finished she spoke. "That's comforting to hear. I'm sure he does live on in you. He survives through a lot of us, I'd like to believe. I also felt I owed him something... after he passed. Like I had to enjoy my life - live it to the fullest. I felt like he would have wanted that - for all of us."

"It impacted my life pretty heavily. I realized I was living a lie, wasn't being true to myself, and was behaving in a way that was... just unacceptable. So I moved from Adenna and to a world with a friend of mine while he was camp training for a boxing match there. He moved on afterward, but I stayed. Hung up my sword permanently in the armory, and replaced it with a fountain pen... or a cell phone... or what have you." A wave of her plastic fork. "I've had an easy life. If I couldn't use my chest to get what I wanted, then I'd use my fists. Either way, everything was handed to me, and people feared or respected me too much to do anything about it. So unfortunately, it took me a long time to grow up." She gazed out to the crowd. "I'm trying to make up for that now." She took another bite of food, seemingly unbothered again by her transgressions.

While women were careful of whom they'd eat in front of, Brian most assuredly knew a few that didn't care-- that being his wife, and daughters who would throw down with the best of them, fact. He listened to Tetch carefully, understanding her take on things all too well, as he himself had some similar issues in regards to his 'growing and evolving' into the man he currently, was and more so-- the impact that Dyarhk had on that evolution. It had been a long road seemingly for Tetch, and the more Brian heard, the more he came to respect the woman next to him-- and admire her, to boot.

A smile formed on the face of the Ravenlock patriarch, as he nodded softly, simply enjoying the exchange between what some would call two of the 'old guarde' for a lack of a better term. Hell, one could say it was like one of those Pepperidge Farm dealios, save Tetch and Brian looked %^$#ing good for their real ages, again.. Fact.

"For what it's worth, I'm glad you ended up here-- today, Tetch.." he blinked a bit in surprise, not realizing where that shortened version of her name came from-- it just felt right, but-- he shouldn't have known that-- should he? "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to call you that-- it just came out that way."

"Oh please." She shoved him, forgetting her strength in the moment. "I only give coffee shop punks a hard time. Tetch is my name. You're more than welcome to use it."

His eyes settled upon her once more, as he had to ask himself yet again-- Had they possibly met somewhere before, why did it seem that way. Either way, he just remained quiet for a moment.

"Any friend of Dyarhk's might as well be family anyway."

Oh man that shove! ******* she had game! He shifted a good bit from the shove, and even lifted his hand to rub his arm a bit with a chuckle. "You're something else, there."

Brian asked, "So you're here now.. How long have you been away from Adenna? If I can ask that is?"

She nodded, pleading in the same gesture that he wait a moment for her to finish chewing. "Two years, going on three this year. I've been working at a bank on the phone mostly. Quite the fall from legendary warrior, eh?" She looked to read his reaction at that, grinning, already anticipating it. "I feel like Aurast--if you know him--has blended into technology-driven worlds better than I have, but I'm not doing too bad, considering." She said modestly.

Alright... That did take him by surprise... I mean really it did! But, he managed to smile instead. After all, he'd also went a far different path, than that which he had taken so long ago. So long as she was happy, who was he or anyone else to say otherwise, right? "I don't think it's a fall at all, I think it's a helluva twist." He flashed a wink. ?Aurast-- can't say I know them."

She nodded, none surprised. "He's our king's brother, and a rambunctious brat at that. He's quite popular in the arena's duel of swords. He's something of a celebrity in one of their annual tournaments I believe. But he's been a big inspiration for me surviving in a totally different world. He adapted quite magnificently. From antiquated swordsman to college student, to sound mixer in the pornography business to bowling alley clerk. He's living an exciting life. I couldn't keep up if I wanted to. But I would like to believe I hold down more responsibility than his way of life brings. I don't mean to down-talk him. He is like a little brother to me. But I often worry for his safety. I think we all worry for the safety of those we hold dear to us."

?I do miss home, though. You are the first person I've told that to. I'm much too proud to let them know it back there. It's so much harder to earn respect when you can't win it by sheer force in these technology-driven worlds."

"Damn, talk about a jack of all trades!" Suddenly Brian was pelted with memories of Lesbos... A somewhat smirk took hold, that was quickly set aside. And while in awe somewhat of the things the King's brother had done, Brian easily agreed with the view of Tetch on it, then she mentioned home--- Adenna. Brian nodded, "I'd been there once, you know... I had some help from the embassy here, it was to get a friend back that had been taken there. I wish I'd had more time, and it had been under
circumstances. And yeah, this world for all its advancements-- could easily use an old school dose here and there."

"But you and your family are doing well?" She offered a sincere look.

A warm smile given, "For the first time in a good while, I can honestly say yes they are. All of us."

"I am happy to hear it. I know this is not a boring realm. I know safety is a foreign element here. That you have your health, your family, and loved ones, and still retain the color you have in your hair for your presumed age, I think is a blessing that all the gods should be given thanks for."

"Heh, I like that-- hair... You're right, Tetch. I give thanks every day for what I have. Well the gods, and our boy Dyarhk, truth be told. An you're right about safety... Sometimes I wonder what the hell people here think, myself included when they act. Still, I'm blessed to somehow land on my feet, so that's a given. What about you? You have any other family here?"

"It must sound depressing to you, but please, I promise you, I'm doing better than I have been in a long while. But I am recently divorced, and my family is all back home. I haven't seen them in sometime. I am planning a visit soon... just waiting for the time to be appropriate."

"It would be complicated for me to appear in Adenna anytime soon, Aurast, similarly." We are not outcast, but there are undertones of such that complicate our return. It is just simpler to continue our lives here at the moment with the new friends we've made, but yes, I do plan to revisit my family back home some day in the near future. Until then, however, I will continue working and paying my light bill and surviving my day to day - something I should get back at, by the way."

She collected her trash, stood, and deposited it to the nearest receptacle before turning back to Brian, holding her hands together at her lap.

?I thank you for helping me out earlier. I believe I might have lost my temper had you not stepped in." A warm grin. "You remind me of him... Dyarhk... he was good at diffusing my temper like that."

"That's not depressing, Tetch. It is what it is, and no more. I'm sure in time, and with chance that things'll change and get better. Still, that's better than with me-- I may have some type of writ of arrest, or whatever you may call it there. Can't say it wasn't deserved. Buuut, and this may sound a bit out in left field--- but my doors-- ours doors, they're open for you. Anytime, I mean. If you want, that is."

He too stood, and offered a warm smile to her. "No thanks needed, like you said before--- might as well be family."

No words, she extended her arms before going over his shoulder and pulling him against her. Hugging the fams! And it was upon his shoulder that she closed her eyes and experienced a flash of all she had to be thankful for.

"Be safe in your ventures, Brian Ravenlock."

That hug was returned, with a short tight squeeze to boot! "Back atcha, Tetch. Always."

She pulled from him and gave a final wave as she stepped back to her path that would lead her back to the road she came from, and like clockwork one could predict that she would surely pull out her cellphone to check her notifications.

Brian continued to watch her, and then he took his leave as well.