• PM To Join • Tea With Faith

[Adam Michaels]

There he was

A simple man doing his simple job thing to keep the peace on the island and look good doing it, which was an understatement from a man that was a fountain of charismatic charm . Some say he was the best Element, others that he was the greatest but one thing was certain such talk stroked his immense ego and as such he performed his duty dutifully after all he had to keep a good face for his adoring fans; He was a giver not a taker after all.

Well up until hed been accosted by something of a vegetable nature was it a tomato ? As it blasted into an messy explosion of pulp seed and juice on his finery of mastercrafted leathers.

Poposterous he thought, you'd expect him to be mad to brandish steel and thrust his steely blade upon her but that was simply unimaginative and boring excessive use of force so lewd and vulgar it had all been done same old story blah blah blah.

This was one frumpy bunny in dire need of an attitude adjustment and luckily Adam Michaels would be more then happy to oblige. He fancied himself a beast tamer off the highest caliber, he could get a bitch to do tricks all day. But he was by and far gifted with true talent for behavior management, and who was he to not share his gift to Scalvoris nay Idalos?

Hed walk over to the woman beaming his signature smile looking to make eye contact with his assailant as he establish an empathic connection through site. It came suddenly that surge of anger and rage he did what he could as he disciplined himself to not feed into the emotion before digging into her tangle and knotting the emotion cutting it off from her form and alleviating Adam from emotional strain as he was quick to try and suppress it before it overcame him and ruined his otherwise blissfully serene day.

Hed let this wench drink in his perfect visage, creating the social illusion that he was so breath takingly gorgeous shed forgotten why she was angry or had held back her anger aghasp by his ridiculous good looks. You couldnt be mad at man like him, he could eat crackers in bed leave crumbs behind and get away with it; it was ultimate power! A freedom most men never dared dream as hed leave those crumbs behind on purpose!

You'd think hed use strum to coax threads of lust and desire but he didn't have too, the girl was lost in his gaze getting a little love drunk as each trill past. He could feel her emotions through this one way empathic link of sight, before casually strumming the thread of guilt to the surface like a kitten pawing at a ball of yarn. Causing surprise as the once rebellious woman was quick with apologies cleaning off his leather armor, before leaning in and whispering something sultry about being a barmaid at the buckle and chain an invitation for free drinks on her if he chose to visit her it wasn't a visual cue he could detect but rather an internal one it was small but the emotion was there she wanted to sleep with him after her shift as he could feel it from within his connection to her. A job well done he thought, splendid!

Adam nodded and continued forward it took resolve not to simply abandon his post and sheath his steel in her but he was a man on a civic duty what would his boss Sephira think if he was rolling around in linens with some cheap floozy no Adam would deal with that trouble maker later.

Hed accomplished yet another service for the elements it was a thankless job but hed service the public until the civil unrest was quelled one frumpy bunny at a time. As he was quick to point his finger with a click of his tongue against his teeth and a shit eating grin. He was a man of authority and thus how hed present himself as he walked off from the de-escalated situation like some sort of idiot savant.

[Faith Augustin]

10th Ymiden, 718

Faith was distracted and rather tired. She wasn't sleeping well, Padraig was away, still and she missed him. Truly, it was difficult being parted from him and there was so much that she wanted to talk through with him. But that was selfish, Faith knew and she tried never to be that. Yet, the babies weren't sleeping and their attic bedroom seemed to be just too big for her. As she quite often grumbled at the place where he'd sleep if he'd been there, she was only a little person. Why he'd bought such a big bed if he didn't intend to sleep in it was beyond her, she had told his pillow on a number of occasions. Last night had been particularly difficult, the children wouldn't settle and she'd been restless and unsettled herself.

Given the option, she'd have not gone out to-trial at all and, in truth she did have that option. Cyrus and Katie were at home, Luna and Alissa had been sitting and drinking tea with Tina and yet Faith had insisted. She had wanted to just get some fresh air. They'd agreed, of course, although Alissa was more tricky to persuade; her self-appointed bodyguard was the very epitome of "Above and Beyond" the call of duty, but Faith had asked - she just needed a little time, she said and Alissa had, begrudgingly, agreed - although only after Cyrus and she had shared a glance.

Cyrus, after all, knew more than anyone else there. More than Alissa or Tina, Luna or even, Faith thought, Katie. Cyrus knew that, just lately Faith needed a little time to herself. Her silver eyes, tinged with flickering deep ruby were the sign of her being Famula's Champion, after all. That gaining of that had required some experiences on her part, which had impacted the young woman deeply.

So, she'd gone out and had her arms full with the groceries she'd been to buy and Faith was very much in her own mind, thinking and mulling over things which had happened to her lately. she was thinking of Jamal. Jamal Kash'deel and the lessons he had taught her. Many of them were cruel, sadistic and totally unnecessary, yet each of them had taught her something. Often not what he was intending.

When she had been a slave, Faith had believed that the way to serve Famula was to be the best slave that she could be. She had done that, but then her circumstance had changed, significantly so. Yet still, the fundamental remained. She served, the best she could, in Famula's name. The young woman tried to serve every soul she could - and she knew that the fact that Famula had not marked her until after she was free was significant. Because Famula had waited until Faith had a choice to serve or not. True service could not be forced or coerced.

Faith was deep in thought, bags of groceries in her arms as she turned the corner and bumped, literally straight into the man in the Element uniform. "Oh!" Faith exclaimed and knelt to grab the goods which had falled from her arms. Looking up at him to apologise, the young woman, already pale, whitened further.

She knew him and Faith gasped in surprise. "Mas... oh. Oh," Faith looked at him and realised something very fundamental. "You did not tell me your name last time?" she explained. Would he remember her? The slave in the bar in Andaris? Faith glanced, nervously, at him.

[Adam Michaels]

Michaels

Adam Michaels eyes fell upon a woman whod fumbled into him and her groceries that fell on the ground and his blue eyes immediately lit up. He saw a wonderful opportunity to help a Scalvorian in a moment of trouble after all he wanted to prove his worth and earn his stripes in the elements.

Strangely enough though his otherwise outrageous ego seemed to be put in check as Adam disciplined himself. It did not follow the treatise hed devised to keep himself out of trouble, to start tapping into empathic connections and mental weaves on people not out to do him or other citizens harm that was gonna get him in trouble with his boss lady.

He was shocked for a moment trying to recall the conversation that she fluidly threw out there like what happened two arcs ago happened in three trills, he remembered meeting her at a bar in Andaris and he rememembered her weave and suddenly it came pouring back into his mind. This was the woman that had been psychologically conditioned, brain washed into devoted service. Even if things changed for her on the outside, her inner tangle was still the same. He knew what he felt and saw, in many ways Adam knew Faith more intimately then her lovers or best friends maybe even herself with his outside perspective looking in. The real chains with Faith weren't physical they were internal beyond skin and bone at least that was his summary of her tangle.

Regardless hed lost his chance at purchasing her, those many moons ago. But he himself was a slave, in much the same way from the seekers to Vuda to Augiery to now with the Elements under Sephiras watchful eyes.

He exuded freedom but lacked it in very much the same way. After all he did recall shed rather die then fuck him, but Adam was an outside stimulus at the time; what he translated it as was I'd rather be dead then viewed as ruined by my master. The theory went if he had purchased her from Jamal and he was her master her tune would have changed, and she might be putting the spit shine on his codepiece to this day with nothing short of complete enthusiasm.

The difference between Fundamental and Programmed.

To Adam she was a bird with a broken wing, that overcame it's disability becoming stronger in other areas to compensate. These were Adams internal musings, as her reputation had proceeded her long after they met. The only real way to test it was with an internal stimulus from what he theorized she latched onto as her master, if her master wanted everyone with black hair to die and she had to pull the lever hed wager all of Idalos shed pull it incapable otherwise of any other action.

Or maybe that's just what Adams ego had to tell the man to get over the fact someone found him less then suitable.

Adam snapped back into reality real quick almost missing the fact she almost called him master as his mind wandered mulling over that.

"Actually yes, yes I do...Faith was it? You've got quite the reputation, I'm happy to see you doing so well? Still with the nobles? I joined the Elements myself.

I'm actually glad I bumped into you.

If I recall I was pretty rude to you back then, and after my struggles in Augiery I understand it a bit more.

And I just wanted to say,
I'm sorry. as he knelt down and began helping her pick up her lost perishables that fell on the ground salvaging what he could.

Of course that should of been the end of it but Adams ego egged him on, for science! As it writhed within demanding the use of empathy. He suppressed it however, knowing full well that Sephira might give him demerits or worse.

"I'm new to the area, and I could really use some ~help~.A real emphasis on the word help, he wondered if it was a trigger word.

"I just need to find my way to a tailor, like to get some threads and linins and start working on needle craft. I find the idea of it as possibly a relaxing hobby" seemed like a strange craft for a fellow like Adam but there was more to it then that, Adam thought maybe needle craft and sewing might make him a better empath by messing with mundane threads and creating tapestries Adam could begin stitching and weaving empathic threads with greater proficiency.

But Adam was an inventive and intuitive fellow a regular renaissance man that wondered if the key phrase ~Help~ might be a trigger to Serve in which subconsciously shed be the best slave she could be.

Or maybe Adam was just bat shit crazy.

[Faith Augustin]

He recognised her. Oh, by Famula is would be easier if he had not. But then, she had been who she was and he had tried to take advantage of the situation. He wasn't the first and he hadn't been the last, after all. It was the system which was flawed and with a change in the system so would come about a change in the people, in their behaviour.

Or, in the consequences for it not changing.

"Yes, that's right. Faith." Her reputation preceded her? She didn't know whether that was a good thing or not to be honest and yet, he then asked something which made her think he didn't know as much as he seemed to be letting on. "Nobles? No. There is no nobility here on Scalvoris and I am a free woman, these trials." That was important to say. As she recalled it, she had been clear with him that she must refuse his advances because she had been instructed to by her owner and she had no wish for him to push his luck with wondering what her current owner thought of it. "My husband and I came here over an arc ago." She was just about to go further with pointing out that she wouldn't be having any sex with him this meeting either, when he up and apologised.

He'd been to Augiery? Faith looked at him and her silver eyes as they had been, had changed - now they were rimmed with a deep ruby red. She knelt to pick up the things she had dropped and she looked at him. "You frightened me because I was helpless. I appreciate your apology now, and I would ask that you simply try your best not to frighten anyone helpless again." But then he asked her for help like it was some very emphasised thing and Faith raised an eyebrow.

He was, there was no doubting it, a very strange man.

When he told her what he wanted, Faith looked at him and asked, quite seriously, "Why did you emphasise the word help like that? I can tell you where there is a tailor, where I buy my own fabric and sewing supplies." She did a lot of needlecraft. "If it's sewing you're specifically interested in? Rather than knitting or crochet? Fabric making?" She shrugged slightly. "There's a group of us who meet in the Scholars' Nook, a cafe in town, we share tips and so on. Teach and learn. I would be happy to introduce you." Standing up, she smiled. "Thank you for helping me with what I dropped. It was kind of you."

Glancing at him, she wondered what it was that he was doing with sewing, it really didn't seem like something he'd do, to her. But then, she hardly knew the man and had not seen him for two arcs. "So, Andaris to Scalvoris via Augiery? That sounds like quite the journey. And the Elements. They could use good people." Was he good people? She wasn't sure but she was, as always, prepared to give the benefit of the doubt.

"I have a little time before I start my next class. I can show you the way to the Nook, if you'd like?" Motioning in the general direction of forward, "And the tailors is on the way. Would that be useful?" Faith asked, with a smile.

[Adam Michaels]

Michaels

"Sorry about emphasising help, sort of depressing out here. Everyone and there grandmother seems to hate the elements, it would simply be nice to get a hand. Shit I know what you mean about scary, can't even ask for directions without worrying someones gonna knife you in the back alleys." There was no lie there, people hated the elements and danger lurked around every corner.

Adams ego wanted to present itself as smart, when Faith imposed the question of Augiery. The man wanted to flaunt his intelligence, as he exuded a charismatic demeanor as a grand master seducer.

"Yea Augiery was a mistake thought I'd find what I was looking for, and wound up becoming a slave. Wasn't the deal I thought it was going to be, until finally I escaped. Even when I wasn't in chains I still felt like I was sometimes I still do, it was a difficult time but I saw myself through it. Or at least that's what id like to think." Adam took a moment to evaluate the situation and collect his thoughts, as best to empathize with her after establishing a mutual connection they were both slaves at one point.

"Truthfully I often wonder if there are kinds of wounds you can't see out right. I often felt psychological scars became manifestations of physical dysfunction. Maybe even to a point where slavery in and of itself is abuse, which in and of itself would be illegal as you can't hold slaves if you abuse them.

What are your thoughts? Adam was interested in what Faiths stance on slavery was because he knew she was bound to have one, it seemed like the perfect conversation as hed give Faith time to project her thoughts.

Adam took another moment, as he listened to what she had to say.

Yea that would be great, I'd love to get a sewing kit and meet everyone at the nook that sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe you could show me a trick or two while we are there to get me started, I'm interested in all of it.

Well that is if your ok, your eyes are all red.

If your too tired and need to go back home

I totally understand."
Adam had noticed but couldn't distinguish if it was anything special, but hed be polite her eyes looked glazed.

" And no,thank you!
I appreciate the help by the way I love your smile,"

[Faith Augustin]

It was certainly true that there was a lot of bad feeling against the Elements in Scalvoris. There had been a group of them who had caused the situation which led to the destruction of the Docks and a lot of people had died. A lot of them. Faith understood the desire to blame, but it wasn't her way and simply was not part of her nature. A group of people masquerading as Elements, infiltrating the organization in order to procure the resources needed to commit an awful crime didn't mean the whole group were bad.

Just the people who'd done it.

But then Adam spoke about his time in Augiery and Faith listened to him with a slight frown of concentration on her face. It wasn't his words about his theory of psychological scarring which bothered her, it was his next ones. "Harming a slave is not illegal. Anywhere." Faith spoke softly, but there was no doubting it was true to her mind. "Branding is the burning of skin. That is abuse. As a slave in Rynmere, where allegedly there are laws to protect slaves, I was beaten and starved and abused on a trial by trial basis. Here, there are no laws at all." There would be. If she had her way, there would be. "And even were there no physical harm, the notion of being owned, less than human and without free will is entirely detrimental to an individual's well being."

Maybe slavery was abuse? Faith said nothing but her opinions on that as a statement were many and varied. Or, she considered, not at all varied.

She nodded, though, and started walking with him towards the Scholars Nook and then he mentioned her eyes. Faith smiled. "I have been granted the blessing of Famula. The tattoos on my wrist and neck denote such, as do my eyes." There was pride and pleasure in her voice when she spoke. As they walked, they made their way to Nook, he told her that he loved her smile. Faith raised an eyebrow but could not help the fact that the very expression crossed her face. "I try to smile rather than frown wherever I can. Happiness, like misery, loves company." So she very much believed.

"Alright, well lets get you set up with a sewing kit and some fabric first off, then." And indeed, that was the first stop. The haberdashery where Adam was suddenly dunked into the depths of sewing, knitting, crochet, fabric, yarn and all sorts of strange things. Needles and hooks, other needles that looked nothing like the first needles, stitch holders, cable needles. It was like a cave. Faith looked at him and smiled.

"Choose your fabric, and I'll get you the basics. Just sewing, or knitting and crochet, too?"

[Adam Michaels]

Michaels

Adam listened to Faiths stance on slavery and her correction of his thoughts, he never did get branded and most of his dealings with his Naerikk master he had cards in his hand through empathy. Part of Adam felt bad genuinely as hed never really put much thought into what Faiths trial to trial life was like, but then there was another part of Adam his lothario ego and it was so diabolically egomaniacal it felt itself a god among mortal men and it seemed more concerned on free will and what constituted as such and could that mean you could be program into devotion and worship? Or that maybe it deserved marks praise and recognition from immortals too, but Adam brushed it off.

One thing was obvious Adam was in fact listening, and paying attention. But continuing talking about negative things had a way of ruining the ambience of fun.

And when she spoke with such pride and pleasure about her marks of Famula Adam gently rubbed the side of his neck remembering his collar. Hed almost forgotten the time they met again, twas brief but Adam had left bitterly expecting to purchase her to find he was runner up to the nobles once again. She displayed those tattoos the same way she flaunted Venoran chains, exactly the same way.

It was interesting, she hadn't mentioned her husband with half the enthusiasm.

"I love your ink it's so pretty, did he do them himself? Wouldn't that hurt on your neck? Would it be ok if I see them a little closer?" Adam asked quietly as he extended his hand very casually for her own to rest upon it if she wished. It was clear he understood he scared her the first time they met, and it would be her choice to let Adam investigate the tapestry and designs of her artwork. But the Seducer he was would be cautious of her personal space.

But if he could get a good look at her design hed know the pattern to play with. What a wonderful gift idea, not a Famula inspired tapestry or quilt of course but rather the thought of Adam whenever she was cozy by the fire with it. Yes the thought of Adam, the ultimate gift as his narcissistic ego writhed too and fro within but Adam would once again resist the addictive urge to cast magic.

After all in a way the military service with the elements was benefiting him as he was becoming a disciplined seducer, sharper more agile then his lesser peers. Rather then suppress his emotions hed focus them like a spearman or archer to pierce hearts with precision and finality.

"You know that's so true it is contagious, all I need for a perfect trial is a smile as happy and lovely as yours."

Adam seemed taken back by all the threads and tangles around him as he stepped into the shop, balls of yarn folded fabrics the man seemed lost in this new and exciting world even his ego the back seat driver it was shut up for a moment. But he knew what colors he wanted naturally it was yellowish green, when told too choose. He was specific in green and yellow color schemes. Those caught his interest and he nodded enthusiastically. Green and yellow fabrics, nice spools of threads and some green and yellow yarn he might have had too much but he seemed very confidant in his choices.

Adam was rather convinced this was the manliest man cave hed ever stepped foot in.

"Yes id like a little of everything, this is going to be so much fun.

I can't wait to get started." Adam beamed a smile of pure delight, he really was fascinated with the idea of threads and needle crafts.

[Faith Augustin]

Faith smiled slightly. "Famula is a female. She is the Immortal of Blood, Souls, Service and Resurrection." There was no mockery in her tone, not everyone knew the Immortals and, in fact, when she had been a slave she had not known much about any of the others. Still, she held her hand out, just for a trill and she hesitated, slightly. But she held it out. "She didn't tattoo me. They appeared with each progressive mark. So, no, they didn't hurt," It wasn't ink Faith thought and she bristled at the word, but it was Adam's way of speaking and she did not see the point in disagreeing with him. It was a mark upon her very soul, and that was something which those who were not marked in the way that she was could probably not fully comprehend.

She had no idea that he was considering using his magic on her, of course, so she did not respond in any way other than to watch him, cautiously. He was attractive, there was no doubt about it and when they had first met she had responded to him in ways which she now understood much better. Then, perhaps now too, his fundamental approach to her had been wrong, Faith recalled. But for all that he was a very well put together specimen, he seemed like a much nicer person this trial. He seemed to be deliberately aware of her nervousness around him and she appreciated that.

Faith Augustin adored her husband in ways which she could not put in to words, but she had to admit that his response to walking into a haberdashery shop was not as good as Adam's. She smiled in surprise and was more than happy to help him choose what he wanted. "Different types of fabric, cotton is easiest to work with for a beginning needleworker," she said, showing him some cotton fabric. "Other fabrics can come later. Then, yarn. There are varying thicknesses, but the usual one is what we call eight-strand. You'll want number 7 needles and a number 7 hook. The numbers go up the bigger the needle or hook is," Faith explained.

Most of it was included in the sewing kit, but he needed to choose the size of the hook, needle and yarn. "Shall we just start you off there, or do you really want some of everything?" Her silver and deep ruby eyes looked at him and she had to admit, she grinned. "What a strange thing fate is. I had not considered that I would meet you again." Faith said, quite seriously. He had wanted to buy her, she knew. As much as he seemed like a nicer person now, she didn't think that it would have been quite the same experience as being owned by Tristan, she had to admit.

"And if I did? I did not picture bringing you here!" That was the absolute most bizarre thing about this whole situation. But then, that was what the world was to the young woman. "So, what got you interested in needlecraft, Adam?" Faith asked, while he decided on his final purchases.

[Adam Michaels]

Michaels

Adam found it very hard to read Faith, to decipher the perplexing seduction puzzle that she was. Hed made a mental note of Famula being a woman and that she was blood, souls and resurrection. And that Faiths hair had bristled when he had mentioned his assumptions wrong, after all he was a keen observer of body language and tells and that hadn't been a good sign. She was still apprehensive around Adam cautious with him and justifiably so.

Discipline was but a shield and seduction his spear, but hed learned patients as hed wave the spear high to raise the shield up wave the spear low and the shield will follow. Adam would be patient to thrust at his openings as they came to him when he spotted what he believed a chink in the armor under the pretense of And If I did.

"Oh really? Did you think of meeting me again?" Adam took a moment to smile sheepishly with a cocky grin. "Why? Where did you see us? Maybe traveling the world? In Rharne with mead in our cups? Bathing in the sun by the oceans shores right here in scalv?" Adam stopped a moment as if pondering something. "the weather is quite beautiful, maybe we should capitalize on it and go for a picnic on the shore tomorrow?" Adam seized the moment to offer a second meeting to test the waters and see if she was interest as hed go for the opening.

Of course it would have been different, Tristans story of a would be king in the sad menagerie that was Rynmere. His story to Adam was filled of what ifs. What if he stood up to his brother? What if he dueled Padraig? What if he used his power and influence to make him disappear to woo a freed Faith to his bedside and make the decision hers? What if he decided that the woman he adored was worth more then all the dutchies and kingdoms of rynmere. His love and adoration fell short, and he lost as he declared his feelings but could never muster the courage to act upon them. Adam might not have been able to afford the silver lining, but she wouldn't have been staring at an empty bed with dissatisfaction yearning for something more either as she made it.

"Oh needle crafts? There's magic in threads the things people desire most can be found in them, the things you can weave the tapestries I think maybe I'm just a slave to fashion; you could say I'm a Maven in the making." As Adam jested a bit trying to break the ice with humor.

But as he did so he was choosing the number seven needles and hooks. As her taken time once again to listen to her advice on the subject.

Just a little

Of everything,

Was what Adam was about.

[Faith Augustin]

In some ways, Faith thought, people were quite predictable - and in others they were unique and strange people who really confounded her. Adam was very much in the latter when he grinned at her and asked if she'd pictured them in Rharne or travelling the world. Faith's silver and ruby eyes turned to him, her gaze calm as she considered her answer. She was quiet for a moment, then she spoke. "The only time I have thought of you or spoken of you is when I was trying to explain to others just how open to abuse slaves are and as an example of why slavery should be abolished." Faith spoke in a quiet, soft and gentle voice. But then, she always did. "I did not picture any future with you or anyone who sought to own me. The only time I have ever dreamed of a future, it has been with the man who is now my husband." She breathed in and then, he suggested that they go on a picnic the next trial.

It had to be said, Faith looked incredulous when he said that and she spoke very clearly. "I do not mean to be rude, nor hurt your feelings," she was quite genuine in that desire - she would not hurt his, or anyone's feelings if she could help it -however, there was a base line. "You are a very physically handsome man and I am sure that there are many women who would like to have a picnic with you, or go to Rharne or whatever." There must be, surely, Faith thought. There was no doubting that he was well put together and he had a certain charm. However. "When we first met, I would not sleep with you because I had been ordered not to. Now?" With the slightest smile and the hope that he understood her because she was trying very hard to be clear. "Now I would not sleep with you because I really don't want to." If she had the time to be going on romantic picnics, she'd be going with her husband who she missed dreadfully.

The haberdashery was a welcome reprieve from the strange, vaguely sexual conversation which Adam seemed to always be the way. He picked up needles and chose fabrics and so on and Faith helped, quite happily, where she could. Then, once he had paid for his purchases, Faith bade farewell to the shop worker and exited. The Scholars' Nook was in the center of town, she said, just by the fountain. Leading him here, Faith walked in silence unless he spoke; she seemed happy and content to do so.

Once they got to the Nook, Adam would see that it was a place filled with books and there was a bar which ran in the center of the building - the area where people sat and drank tea, chatted and there was a real buzz throughout the place. Faith pointed to an area where there were a few people sitting with fabric, yarn and needlecraft things. "If any of us are here for crafting, we sit there. Come on, I'll introduce you."