broken under my porcelain mask

He simply shook his head at her suggestion of him giving lessons in etiquette and chivalry. “In some ways, perhaps. But I doubt many would take kindly to advice on manners from a lowly butcher.” He wouldn’t go into details on the fact that he knew there were some aspects of his lifestyle that he would hope never to pass on to future generations, but that was not for her ears. Alban could only chuckle softly at her exclamation, not missing the wink she gave him before she turned away. “My apologies, Miss Teagan.”

“Their loss for judging you so harshly then Alban, if I had a son.. I would send him to go get lessons from the lowly butcher.” She teased slightly, she never once thought of him as lowly. She smiled then shook her head as he apologized for being distracting. “I am sure there is a lucky woman out there who is perfectly happy about how distractin’ you are, so don’t you go apologizin’ for what God gave ya.”

He simply nodded, knowing that she was one of the fortunate ones who had been able to afford the cost increase during the shortage. There were many more who couldn’t and simply did without.

Teagan was only able to afford it because she ate at the pub the majority of the time so the little amount of food she was able to afford was able to last two to three times longer than it should have. She accounted that to her having so many siblings growing up with little to no money her whole life.

Liam smiled and shook his head slightly at her trying to assist him in his minor choking problem. “Well, to be completely honest, he’s got a point. As much as none of us would like to admit it, or not.” He shrugged slightly and then glanced back at her, catching her line of sight go to her hands. Liam reached over and took one of her hands, examining it. “It’s a shame that hands like these even have to worry about fighting.” He brushed his thumb over the knuckles and then added, “Your hands just adjust to whatever it is you make them do.” He released her hand, and then nodded, “If you think that what you felt while learning was amazing, just wait until you keep right on going. It’s hard to describe unless you’ve been there, and done it. There’s a cruel beauty in a proper fight.”

Teagan smiled when he took her hand and looked over her knuckles, she was rather proud of how far along she had come. She shrugged lightly at the idea of her hands not being meant for fighting. She pressed her lips together then she gave him a small smile. “Ah, now don’t be worryin’ bout that. It’s probably better that they know how..” She slowly took her hand back when he let go and she chuckled with a small nod, “that they do.” She was just happy her hands didn’t hurt any more she looked between them and then back to him.  She smiled as she listened to him describe a fight being a cruel beauty. He was right, there was nothing like the rush she self when she was learning.  “I don’t think it could be spoken of any better, Liam.”