Mab stared at the people on the street from her seat on the barstool in the pub called Compressed Horse
She was going to be here all day, as she said she would. Mab could not stop thinking about the night before, thinking of the kiss was intoxicating. After she had fled, she didn't go back to sleep. Mab had spent the whole night by the bridge, dazedly gazing into the churning waters below.
"What is love? Whatever this is, I hate it. I want it to stop. " she said aloud, it was almost on cue that a lady turned to her. A sincere and knowing look on her face, "my name is Elaxi do you want to talk about it?"
Mab stared in shock at the brown haired woman, she seemed quite normal... Except her eyes were a peculiar shade of brilliant green, and seemed to be almost glowing.
Mab considered the offer, Nyx was not around, Ridder wasn't an option, Jayleen would only tease, Kenneth couldn't possibly offer advice...
"I kissed a man last night." Mab admitted, analyzing Elaxi "we met a few months ago, I hated him instantly. But he was persistent. The past few days, I have been succumbing to his charms. Regretting every move I make towards him, but then last night I was terribly upset..."
She paused and glanced around the pub, Briss was not there yet. This worried her, she hoped the girl hadn't taken her life, or her parents had taken it for her.
"Do continue, love." Elaxi said, propping her head up on her hand, leaning on the counter.
"He comforted me, I just pulled him into a kiss... It made me feel amazing. But despite that, I feel awful for giving in to him. What do I do?" Mab asked, playing with her hands.
"If I were you, I would go back. Explain your feelings, I realize this may be hard. You might find that you do love him, love-the real stuff is worth the risk."
"I don't like risks." Mab replied, squinting at Elaxi.
"I have been around, risk is life. I would know."
"What would you do? Physically, when you see him?" Mab asked, leaning forward.
"My dear, I would kiss him again. I sense that he really does like you, there are things keeping him from loving you. One, is you of course."
Mab's hair stood on end, "are you Sympathic? Empathic? "
Elaxi smiled "both, you needn't tell me your story, or who you are. In fact, my husband and I will gladly join your cause."
Mab's blood ran cold, instantly guarding her thoughts. "How do I know you won't betray me with this information?"
Elaxi poked Mab between the eyes, "I know about everyone that enters this place, the thieves, murderers, those who have lost children, I never loose a game of poker. You come here every day with the wandering mind of a child, I have had more than enough information to get you a death sentence from the moment I laid eyes on you. Why would I wait three weeks? "
"You want me to confess outright, so that you have proof."
Mab aimed a sharp remark at Elaxi, this woman annoyed her.
She couldn't be real.
"A seething politician? How rude." The woman smirked, regarding Mab with sparkling green eyes. "You needn't worry. I am quite loyal."
Mab opened her mouth to rebut but she sensed a younger spirit in the pub. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes falling on a familiar girl. But her face and arms were cut and bruised, Mab wondered what had happened. She waved nonchalantly, Briss timidly sat on the bar stool next to Mab, looking down and avoiding eye contact.
"Have you decided?" Mab asked, she felt like comforting the girl and coddling her. But she couldn't do it. She didn't know how. How should one caress a distressed child? Mab was afraid of hurting the already wounded, so she made no move to comfort.
