Dresden was out in the courtyard by himself. He'd been avoiding a good portion of his fellow Legionnaire's. Since the rumors had been flying around about he and Scout Kane, most of them had become insufferable. A pack of grown men were no more different than a few ladies over tea. Giggling and prodding for information. It was childish. He'd never been one to talk about his sexual encounters. It was no ones business but his own. Plenty of men liked to talk about it, sure, among themselves when they knew no one else was listening in. But Dresden was hardly going to tell them such things. Not necessarily for the sake of whatever women he might have been with, not that the list was really all that long. No, for the sake of his own secrets. If they couldn't figure out how to please a lady, that was on them.

The men begging him for the truth -- and it was the truth, of course, but they didn't know that -- were all eventually let down. He repeated the same story over and over again. And it seemed he'd have to do it yet again.

He had a wooden sword in his hand and he was going through the motions with it. Sparring with a partner was more ideal when it came to practicing the sword, but everyone was pissing him off and he'd wanted to be alone. So much for that. He'd only been outside for a short time before someone spoke up behind him. He didn't immediately recognize the woman's voice, and turned to face her, though in doing so he took an immediate step back, making sure to keep plenty of distance from him and this lady, whoever she was.

"I'm Drake, yes," he confirmed, squinting through the sun at her. He lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat out of his eyes and tossed his sword to the ground, bowing because he could only assume she was a lady. "I apologize, my lady, you seem to think you know a fair amount 'bout me, but I don't know who you are. Or the reason for your visit."

She laughed softly at the thought that he doesn't know who she was. "I am Marchioness Annabeth Andino, Cousin of your friend Astor Porter." She was explaining as she started walking around him to get a view around him. He had a rough charm about him, she wouldn't call him good-looking. Possibly have a boyish charm to him.

"Well if I seemingly know who you are, please enlighten me who you are. Cause from what I've heard you are a charmer, player. Also what soldier drop their weapon, just sloppy if you ask me."

"Ah, Marchioness Andino, my apologies for not recognizin' you sooner," he said. He'd never seen the woman in his life, but it wasn't uncommon that a Noble expect everyone to automatically know who they are. How had she known that he and Astor were friends, though? Had Astor mentioned him in conversation before? It seemed unlikely, but it could have been in passing, too. As far as he knew, Astor had no reason to know the truth of what had happened between he and Scout and he planned on keeping it that way if he could. The fewer people who knew, the better. "Congratulations on the bird of your child, my lady."

The way she walked around him in a circle made him lift a brow. He made no effort to move, his hands clasped behind his back as he waited. This woman had been a previous Lady Steward, Scout's position now, but otherwise, what reason did she have to be here questioning him? Were she and Scout friends? And if so, why hadn't she gone to Scout instead of coming into the middle of the courtyard to see Dresden? "Well, my lady, I've voluntarily dropped my weapon because it seems disrespectful to wield it in the presence of an unarmed lady. I'm sure we both know real well why you're here, and I'd really prefer no more of these rumors start to spread. So better the sword be there than the next rumor be that I've now threatened a Marchioness." He offered a polite but annoyed smile.

"As far as bein' a charmer, and a...player? Well, I can't speak to that. The rumors regardin' Marchioness Kane and I are entirely false. What the men saw that day was Lady Kane reprimandin' me for an incident that was as equally outta my control as these rumors. I hope that helps you understand."

Annabeth doesn't expect people to recognise her soon. So she laughed at the comment. "I don't care if you do or don't recognize me." she give a smiled softly. She was known for being forgiven and kind lady so when he congratulated her on the birth of her daughter a geniun smile came out. "Thank you."

She smiled softly, "You be surprised to know that not all ladies are unarmed." Ever since they marriage Castiel made it clear that Annabeth carried a dagger with her and that she trained daily with swords, daggers and in fist. So even though she was tiny she does look like she can give a good punch to most men. She give him a smile ignoring the empty threat. "Listen I don't care if the rumors are true or not. I know how rumors are like. trust me." Her eyes are soft this feel wrong not like her. "People can be mean and I want to make sure that you are okay in all this?" She asked genuine concern in her voice.

He met her smile with one of equal value, though his eyes remained narrowed. He did in the image of her in those moments she looked away. She was small, but beautiful, like Ikisina. She did have a way about her, he couldn't deny that she could have been intimidating in the right situation and usually that was exactly the kind of woman he'd go for. But being Astor's family made her off limits. There were few people in Loren that Dresden genuinely liked, and Astor was one of them. So out of respect for his friend, he'd keep to himself. Besides, she'd just had a baby. People with those kind of familial connections were too complicated. "Well, my intention stands, regardless of whether or not you're carryin' a weapon. Like I said, just tryna avoid the bad eyesight of others."

Although it had very much seemed like the woman had stormed into the courtyard for the sole purpose of scolding him for taking advantage of another lady, she then seemed to backtrack. Was it a game she was playing, or had she just not thought this through. "Again, they ain't true," he reiterated. "And while I appreciate your sympathy, my lady, I'm a little confused, here. All due respect, you don't know me and I don't know you. Why would you come out here to check up on me?" His hands still behind his back, he glanced around the courtyard and could already see a few of the men had paused to watch the interaction.

"If that's what you want to know, I can assure you I'll be better than ever when these rumors blow over and things go back to normal. I'm sure Marchioness Kane feels the same."

Annabeth noticed he looked in the direction of some of the fellow soldier gathering to watch their interaction she laughed softly, "boys, can you please give us some privacy please?" She asked them gently. "oh bit longer please?" Annabeth raised her eyebrow. "you know I will kick your ass, so leave before I come over there." She crossed her arms and with that the boys left, before she turned to Dresden. "Sorry about them." She said with a kind smile.

"I know what like with rumours. Both was fast people started rumors that the reason we got married was because i was carrying their baby. it still eat me up in the start and yes they do die down after a while, however I was still alone, no family, no friends I could talk to about it. I want you know you are far from alone in this.  I would like to get to know you, not the one you put on show and in return I tell you something nobody know about me, not even Astor." She offered.

As she insisted that the men training, or the men who had paused training to watch them, left at her request, he took another careful step back and away from her. "I woulda preferred they stayed," he answered honestly, "least with actual eyes on us they can't say somethin' happened that didn't." There was still a man by the equipment shed, seemingly going over a piece of paper with a list of equipment. And one of the Captain's with a wooden sword in his hand in the corner, who was minding his own business but still present. "No reason for you to apologize, you didn't tell 'em to hound me 'bout all this and you didn't start the rumor."

Her spiel about the rumors she had gone through during her marriage might have made him yawn if he wasn't in the presence of a noble lady. But he let her finish, nodding along until she did so. "I understand, and I'm sure that wasn't real easy for you, my lady. But I also know that the nobility have it a lot harder than the commoners do when it comes to rumors. I can't imagine what Marchioness Kane must be goin' through 'cause of all this, so your sympathies ought to be directed to her."

The comment about her telling him something no one else knew did intrigue him, and he shifted his weight, his hands still firmly behind his back and his distance still kept multiple feet away from her. "And I really do appreciate all this, but I'm hardly someone deservin' of whatever secret this is that not even Astor knows."

She give him a small smile. "Boys!" She called out she motion her head to where they was. "The last thing I want to make you uncomfortable." It was not in her nature to do so. She looked at him softly "Trust me I feel sorry for her, like if her grandmother hear about these rumors, Helena can be a tough cookie. I going to see her soon. Mr drake, you worth more then these rumors I see how you use the sword you are a telented swordsman and i want you to be happy." She said softly.

She laughed softly, "And who told you, you are not worthy of what I tell you or not tell you? Isn't it my choice who I tell these things to?" She asked not really looking for an answer.

He watched her call the guys right back over, and they pretended to go back to what they'd been doing in training. Dresden watched as their heads constantly rotated from their tasks to he and the Countess, and finally he couldn't help but smirk. If nothing else the woman didn't mind wielding her power however she deemed fit and the men around him knew very well that they ought to listen. "It is my understandin' that Marchioness Helena Kane can be very intimidatin'," he agreed. "But I'm sure she's already heard 'bout it. Half expectin' her to show up out here, too," he looked around again. "Knock me over the head, drag me away, all that. Couldn't say I'd blame her if the rumors were true."

Dresden was still suspicious. It wasn't normal for a noble to show interest in a commoner in general, but especially not in a situation like this. Why would she care about his happiness? "I'm alright with a sword," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "Not winnin' any tournaments or nothin'." He looked down at her still, and moved his hand only to push his blonde hair back. "Look, Countess, I'm not really sure what you want from me. I ain't got nothin' to give so I can't see how you profit from this conversation. If you wanna tell me some kinda secret, I'm happy to listen an all that, but I'm still confused 'bout why ya care at all. Just 'cause you've had a rumor or two fly around? Who ain't in this damn place?" He asked, then held his hands up. "Excuse my language."

Annabeth smiled softly. "Trust me if she does, while I am talking to you, I wouldn't let her come anywhere near you, and if she does come and look for me okay?" She know she doesn't have much of a standing compared to Helena but she can't stand around seeing a guy get hurt even if the rumors are false like he calm they are. if they are true even more reason for somebody to stand up for him.

"Oh come on you are more than alright. I'm sure you can whip some of those boys into good shape cause we all know they need it." She tried herself at a joke. It has been a while since anybody called her a countess it feels odd but reminds her life as a porter and how she was this scared eighteen-year-old.

She walked over to where the drinkable water was and she poured two glasses for her and Dresden. "If you need to swear, swear. I don't mind. I want nothing from you, and yeah there's nothing for me to gain from talking to you." She offer the cup to Dresden as she took a sip from her cup. "I care because sometimes despite everything, even if you like it or not there somebody in your damn corner supporting you." She smiled. "Sorry for my language."

Dresden's eyes rarely left the Marchioness, and his brows raised and fell in response to her words. "I could hardly expect you to step in between Marchioness Kane and I, my lady," he said with a bit of a laugh to his tone. "As much as I might appreciate it, and might need it, this business is between she and I. I can't make 'er believe me, but she's got a right to be mad one way or another I reckon. It's her families name bein' smeared in the mud. Mine don't mean much."

Though still unsure of what to make of all of this, he followed her to the water station and took the cup she'd handed him. He wasn't necessarily thirsty but he took it all the same and drank half of it down. He still kept a clear distance from her, but when she cursed he finally cracked a smile and looked around the courtyard. "Alright, Marchioness Andino," he relented, a deep breath as the smile disappeared once more. Even if he'd allow himself to believe for now that she had no ulterior motive, he didn't want the onlookers to think he was being friendly with her. "If you're really just here to be nice to someone goin' through some stuff, then I apologize for my skepticism."

He put his free hand on his hip, shrugging. "Truth is, it's been rough. I like to keep my head down, usually. Not one to be the center of attention or anything like that. Havin' everyone up my ass 'bout this is gettin' tired real quick." He chewed his bottom lip for a moment, as if lost in thought, and returned his gaze back to her. "So if you do have some advice, or somethin', you can give me. I'd appreciate it."

Annabeth looked at Drake for a moment. He was right when Kane comes they have to be careful and even though she doesn't care much about titles most nobles do and with this it could bring the Kane name down. Even though she knows how can be, her first interaction with her, Helena was lovely and she mat her sweet Rosie. Her precious puppy, who not much of a puppy now. "You are worth more then a name Mr Drake."

When he finally smiled and offload she give him a sympathetic smile. She knows what it is like not wanting to be the main attraction, everybody watching. Her eyes are soft as he asked for some advice. "my advice is to go back to the Dresden drake you were before it happen. not the whole well you know, but the one who trains with fellow soldiers. I know you have been telling everyone that nothing happened but till you start acting like nothing happened then people will still believe. Be the awesome soldier I know you can be."

The words came out of her mouth in two different ways. One was the way she meant it. Genuinely, trying to comfort him, to reassure him. Maybe because she'd always had a Name, even if it had at one time been Porter. The other way was hollow. That wasn't intentional, but it was the truth of the matter. "Names are everything here, ma'am," he said politely, knowingly. "And I'm the first of mine. Bein' more than a name don't mean much when that's the only way people look at ya. I don't mind it, though. Got no one to prove anything to at least." The Nobles always had something to prove, thanks to the weight of their names. In that aspect, Dresden was much freer.

As silly as this all seemed to be, her advice was actually really good advice. He chewed it over in her mind. He'd been isolating himself from his fellow soldiers more. Pretending to be angry when they asked about the rumors. Overall acting a little more broody. To sell the bit, it made more sense to get back into normalcy. To not only state that nothing had happened and it was no big deal, but to act that way as well. So he nodded, his smile growing. "That's real good advice, Marchioness. Thank you."

He let out a deep breath, as if relaxing more around her. "So what was that secret you were gonna tell me, then?"