filth teaches filth.

“Maia... are you okay?”

i.Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (make sure you clean your hands before you take up your rosary -  the smell of blood does not often inspire absolution) ii.As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. (as you hold the beads in  your bruised hands, try not to ask yourself why He would create a world with such a capacity for evil) iii. O my Jesus, have mercy on us. Forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. (say amen. don’t let them see  the sins marked in red on your fists or the devil under your skin. say amen.)

He could only laugh at the expression the man gave him, “Come on, can’t enjoy the sun with that thick thing, if you ask me,” which were his thoughts and they were true, how often he shed most of his clothes in the crow’s nest on a calm day, feeling it the day can only be spent with sundrenched skin. “Won’t do any of the sun justice.”

“I have faced temperatures much greater than this.” he shrugged, having himself walk around in only his undershirt around town, shirtless when he was younger, but not seeing cause to do so in the middle of town. “But, by all means, if you want to gallavant half naked, I will not stop you.”

Helena smiled kindly. “Do not worry, I completely understand since you have come so far away.” She noticed him fixing his hair, trying to hide her smile behind the flower. His awkwardness was rather endearing to her, it was like he was as new to this as she was. She highly doubted it though since he had been married before and was incredibly good-looking. “Okay, upon your word I shall not but you do have to accept my gratitude.”

He let his hand drop from his hair to his neck, rubbing it as a distraction as he stared down at her. “I will accept it, but it is honestly no trouble.” he nodded again, suddenly feeling so awkward in front of the kind red-head who was so much unlike him, the most extreme opposite Arthur could find. And he didn’t know if he was uncomfortable because of it being arranged, or if it was just because he truly felt awkward. 

 She couldn’t help but laugh a bit at his struggles, but quickly biting her tongue, she had no intentions of being rude. She relaxed herself in the chair, crossing her ankles, and placing her hands carefully in her lap. “I prefer to awake when the sun as already risen.” She smiled, watching him carefully. He was definitely a form of entertainment, perhaps he was a warrior? She arched her brow at his answer, ignoring his robe that was slowly falling off of him. “Oh, well, forgive me, I should not assume things so quickly.” She nodded, and let her eyes graze the ground for a moment. “Are you hungry? I am quite starved, and I think a nice breakfast would be a suitable cure for the headache I am sure you have.” 

I guess some people are just born with tragedy in their blood.

Pamela was raised to defend herself, along with others.  Her mother nurtured her protective nature, assuring that Pamela would be able to stand on her own when need be.  So when she saw drunkard men harassing at some young woman in front of the local taverns, she didn’t appear to be the fighting kind, Pamela couldn’t help but to force herself into the situation.  Self-control was a daily challenge for the first mate, and the sight of such degenerate actions made her blood boil.

William, although sometimes frequenting bars himself, was not a very big fan of the men that usually came out of them. Most of the time, they were too drunk to function, to bother anyone, but sometimes, there was somewhat  the one man that made everyone have a different idea of anyone that was drunk. 

She bit down on her bottom lip at the sight of his muscular chest. She tried desperately to think of something else, but failed. She took a deep breath and turned her back while he slipped on the robe. “That belongs to my nephew, I don’t believe he is nearly as built as you are.” She chuckled, and turned to face him when she assumed that he was no longer exposed. She shook her head, moving closer to the fire. “Don’t be silly, it is far to early to have any plans.” She smirked at him as she took a seat in one of the nearby chairs she typically used for her clients. “Is your wife not going to be worried that you are not home?” 

“Yes.. I don’t believe so either.” he grumbled to himself, remembering very easily how almost nothing fit him, not even chairs could hold his weight, half the time. He had baely tied the damn thing correctly with his fumbling fingers when she turned around again, and he shook his head at her statement. “Not an early riser, hm?” he asked, head tilting at her comically as he looked around the room afterwards. He ignored her comment for a bit as he followed suit, looking around for somewhere to sit down before settling on a stool, loosening the robe around his chest to loosen the constraints on his chest. “No... I don’t have a wife,” he said, not knowing if he should add on not yet or not anymore.

  She didn’t quite know how to respond to his appearance, he was certainly handsome. “You turned over a new leaf hmm? I would like to know what exactly caused you to do that?” She called from the other room. She managed to gather her garments, and dress. She usually called a handmaiden to help her get dressed, however today she was fine with doing it herself. She dropped her robe, considering this was the best time to change when she was no longer visible to him. She draped a white lace gown over her body, doing her best to tighten the strings on her own. When she was presentable, she grabbed a robe that belonged to her nephew, perhaps this man could fit in it. She slowly moved towards his the entry to the bathroom, knocking lightly. “I have a robe for you, if you would like it.”

 She stepped back so that she was not blocking his way. She couldn’t help but be intrigued by his strength, and ability, who was this man? “Quite the hand you have there. I usually am not this gracious, so I would not make a habit of coming in here when you are belligerent, alright?” She mused at him with a smile, but paused when he removed his shirt. She had seen plenty of shirtless men, but she was still a woman. She swallowed a bit, and turned around to head back into her sleeping chambers.. “Is there anything else that you need?” She moved forward to grab a brush off of her nightstand, beginning to run it through her hair. If she was up, she might as well begin getting ready for the day. Besides, she needed a distraction from the half naked man 10 ft away from her. “Hm, promising to owe me a favor when you have not the slightest idea who I am?” She called back, a chuckle in her voice. “For all you know, I could call upon you to do my evil bidding.” Once she had un-knotted her locks, she turned back around to face the room he was in. “Either way, I will hold you to that…” 

“I am used to housework. I was not always this privileged.” he nodded, as he emptied the last two buckets into the large tub. “But yet, of course, I wouldn’t dream of ever bothering you again.” he assured her once again, shaking his head in silent reply until he realized she wasn’t facing him. “I don’t think so... Wait! The soap! We’re the soap?” he asked, looking around with his pants half unbuttoned, looking all the fool as he kept on turning. “Please, my llady, do not call to me for your evil bidding. I’ve long since turned over a new leaf.” he nodded again, having taken the soap from her and quickly walking into the tub to spare her eyes as much as he could.

Maia was modest, but there were times when envied the women who had so much control over their sexuality. She pulled her robe a bit tighter around her waste, clearing her throat as she nodded with his words. “And let you stumble through the castle in this manner? I am not cruel.” She moved away from him and towards another door. “Luckily for you, I happen to live here.. obviously.” She winked, and opened the door that exposed a bathtub. “Believe it or not.. I also happen to have a tub. Shall I call a handmaiden to fill the tub? Although, I must warn you, it takes quite awhile..”

“I will have to repay you, my lady. I doubt anyone else would have done this...this late.. or early, I mean.” he corrected himself, nodding as he followed her. “I.. I can do it.” he nodded, having done this multiple times himself before he had gotten into the kings good graces. “Uh.. where is the.. ah!” he spoke to himself, mostly, finding the necessary tools to fill the bath, humming to himself as he did so. “I am very thankful for your hospitality.. I’m sorry if I frightened you, barging in like that.” he continued on as eh went, going much faster and carrying much more water into the bath than any maiden ever could s he moved to take off his shirt, not even thinking of the woman next to him. “I’ll owe you something, in the future... a favor, perhaps. Whatever you need.” he nodded, having set his mind.

Thierry smiled. “Well, only because I am not feeling sorry for you. This child is a very different matter.” He said. “I shall. What brings you into town?” Thierry spoke, keeping a good eye on the little girl.

“Of course, I should no have assumed such a thing.” he chuckled, lookin down a the  child along with him. “I was passing through, I get tired of the castle... of court.” he shrugged, waving at the little kid as she looked up at him. “I think the child has become quite attached to you, Thierry.”

“So, you do not often drink?” She spoke amused, watching him as she took the robe from his hands. “I appreciate that.” She referred to him turning around, as she slipped into the silk robe and stepped onto the ground. “You can stop rambling, I am not going to hold you to your stupidity while be intoxicated, however, we should get you cleaned up.” She looked him over. “A bath would be a nice start, or anything to cleanse you of the stench…” She smirked, as she walked towards him. 

“No. Or at least, when I do, it takes... quite a lot to affect me.” he reassured her, or maybe himeslf. He nodded, it was only common decency, for him to do this, especially since she was getting out of her bed to help him navigate through the curious castle. “Thank you.” he said, turning around to face her, knowing that even her robe was something too little he should be seeing her in, so he kept his eyes level on her face. “A.. a stench? I knew Tobias spilled his ale onto me...” he grumbled, crossing his arms across his chest. “I’m afraid.. I don’t stay here quite often... we would have to find the.. north hall, I believe, for me to know where I’m supposed to go... to get clean.”

She could not help but chuckle as he spoke. “Nothing but the best men in the King’s circle, hmm?” She mused, rolling her eyes. “Did you misplace is before or after you decided to ravish yourself in alcohol? This does not surprise me, all the men in this castle seem to believe they can do whatever they wish and get away with it.“ She considered getting out of bed to shoo him, but unfortunately, she was indecent under the sheets. “You are lucky you caught me in a rather decent mood in this un-godly hour.” She let out a huff, as she motioned for him to come forward. “If you would do me the favor of handing me that robe, I can’t very well help you from this bed..”

  Maia’s eyes widened at the stranger who reeked of alcohol, an immediate sense of fear overcoming her. Was this man here to attack her? To finish what that one man in the street had started? It took her a moment, but she managed to calm down. She sat up completely, still very puzzled. “Yes, I suppose it is not.” She looked down at her sheets, and then shook her head, mumbling to herself. “I suppose I should have locked my door…” She eyed him over. “Do you often go room to room until you have found your own?”

“No! No... no I do not go room to room.” William shook his head, hovering in the doorway as he tried to get a grasp onto himself. This was not the type of man he was, and he needed to be the one he was expected to be. “yes.. my lady, that would be wise, in the future... I am William.. Rutherford? I work for the king, I have a room here... I just seemed to have.. misplaced it, I’m sorry, I mean you no harm.”

It seemed as if some time away from Valencia was needed, none the less, Maia was glad to be back. Although this town was full of memories that she wished she could forget, it was her home. The first night back in her own bed was quite odd, however it was nice. A familiar light shinned through her drapes, blinding her eyes. Just then, the door to her chambers opened, and she lifted herself into an upright position. “I do hope you’ve brought tea if you’ve come to wake me this early.”

Will was drunk - Tobias had gone through with his promise and gotten Will drunk enough that even his step was slightly tilted as he walked through the castle. He had a permanent room in an inn, but Arthur always had a room for him, and this was closer then the inn was at the moment. But apparently, not even this was on his side, as he had interrupted a woman in her chambers. “Oh- Oh my, I am so sorry, my lady, I did not mean to wake up... I thought... Well, I suppose this isn’t my room.”