@Rhi-Rhi So forever ago we plotted that Beatrid should meet Sadie. I never did get you a thread start for them, so it occurred to me that I should give you priority on this one. So if you want it this one is for you. If not, I'll find another!
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Connlaothian winters were definitely not something that Sadie Cohen had missed during the time she lived in Serendipity. The sky was dark and angry, spitting forth a seemingly inexhaustible amount of large, fluffy flakes of bitter cold snow. That the wind seemed intent on pummeling anyone stupid or unlucky enough to be out of doors with the vile little projectiles did not help matters at all. Everything about her seemed frozen; wiggling her toes continuously in her boots was an absolute must. Her hands, though gloved, were still shoved into her armpits to attempt to stave off frostbite on her fingers.
Not a lot of people were out, so not very many people to notice her passage through the streets. Of course all they'd have seen was a heavily cloaked and hooded figure. The wet snow clung to her shoulders and hood as she finally pushed open the door to an inn – after making a few secretive stops to pass messages to people in the area. Some were messages for family of mages that had been taken by the military but had been rescued and either smuggled out of the country or was now fighting with those opposing the Grand Duke and his murderous crusade against innocent mages.
The room was smoky with the pungent fragrance of sweat, alcohol, and the fainter – but still present – scent of sex. The air was stale and distasteful, but it was warm. The warmth ultimately outweighed the stench, and Sadie shuffled over to a table while trying to avoid attention. It was a poorer part of the city, honestly not much better than slums, but that was often the state of affairs for those persecuted and punished by this war. With the winter so bad and people more desperate than ever, things had also become more dangerous in these parts of cities.
Sadie was unafraid. Her staff was propped up on the chair next to her as she settled alone at a table against the far wall. She pushed back her hood and tried to shake the snow from her. The little white puffs rapidly melted, soaking into her cloak and creating a small puddle beneath her chair. A server actually approached her and she ordered a nice mug of spiced ale, or at least what they were trying to pass for spiced ale these days. It was rather disgusting, honestly, barely drinkable, but one made due in these hard and troubling times. At least that's what she kept telling herself.
Despite her attempts to not draw attention to herself, it didn't take long at all for her skin to start tingling with the sensation of eyes being fixed on her. Sometimes you just knew you were being watched, and this was definitely one of those times. One of the corners of the room had been occupied by a loud, boisterous, and obnoxious group of men. Men that thought it appropriate, for whatever reason, to reach out and pinch or grab the serving girls whenever one of them passed their table. The poor women suffered it in silence, of course, which only infuriated Sadie more.
It was these three sets of eyes that had started to make her skin crawl. Sure, she knew that her face was pretty enough, certainly suitable, but her figure was hardly anything to whistle at. This wouldn't be the first or likely the last time this unwanted attention was directed at her even so – most men were such pigs. More likely her tiny self, even by Connlaothian standards, made them think she would be an easy target for harassment and bullying.
Attempting to ignore their stares, Sadie took another drink of her ale and grimaced as she was reminded how poor the swill was in this establishment. One of them had gotten up and approached her with an insufferable swagger as he thought he was quite something, apparently.
"Hey there, girlie. Can't handle a man's drink there, can ya? Why a pretty little thing like you sitting all alone? C'mon over and have a seat on my lap. Me an' the boys'll show you a good time."
"No thanks, I think I'll stay right where I am. I suggest you go back to your 'boys' and piss off before you embarrass yourself." Wow, that was far more polite than the pig really deserved. She deserved a pat on the back for showing such excellent restraint.
"What did ya just say to me you damn cunt?" Oh, she must have struck a nerve. Some idiots really shouldn't approach women if they couldn't handle rejection.
"I said piss off, I'm not interested. I just want to drink this piss-poor excuse for ale and get warm before going back out into the storm." Honestly, was that so much to ask? The two men that had been sitting with the idiot had risen from their seats and were approaching menacingly, as if trying to cow her into being a meek little puppet for their amusement. Like. Fucking. Hell.
Then the pig did the worst possible thing he could have done. The moment his hand roughly grabbed her by the upper arm, Sadie was in motion. Her balled fist impacted with his midsection, knocking the air from him, a second later her foot had connected with his balls, while still dazed and doubled up in pain, the swine would find himself grabbed by the hair and his face being brought forcefully down to smash into the tiny redhead's knee.
The other two men stared gaping just long enough as their friend crumpled into a heap for Sadie to put her back to the wall, hands seizing the back of her chair and bringing it up, ready to swing as her sea-foam eyes glared at them, daring them to try it. The entire room had gone silent, watching this most peculiar display!
