61 Awkward reunion (2/2)
”See, Shane used to be in the military, so he knows chi. If anyone tries to mess with him he'll teach them a lesson, of course that's only if they live through it. He fought in the mutant uprising a few decades ago to boot, must have been right before you were born. He lost quite a few friends, and lost touch with those who lived through it when he started drinking. His hatred intensified after he returned though, for some reason. There's a few theories, like how his wife who was pregnant gave birth to mutant baby, but it's never been proven. One is that mutants stole his child instead and he's never forgiven them.”
Leo thanked the man, and started thinking. He felt it would be best to return to the room once again, but stopped once the door opened again and his jaw practically hit the floor. In walked a woman, who walked up to Shane and tried to talk him into going home. He started yelling and cursing at her though, in response. When Thomas looked to see what Leo was looking at, he also went into brief shock, and started becoming slightly worried. Iris noticed the two's looks, and asked,
”What is she that beautiful?” She couldn't see her due to her still facing away from them, and Leo was stuck at trying to find an answer. He then decided that they have to get back to the room NOW, but when he stood up he caught Shane's eye apparently.
”HEY! Shtay right there!” Shane started walking over, and Leo started sweating, the entire time the mans wife was trying to stop him. He stopped right in front of Leo, who had moved between him and Iris. Shane however pointed to the hooded Iris, and said with clarity for the first time,
”Tell your freaky friend to take of his hood!” The entire tavern was silent as they watched the show. Before leo could say anything though, the mans wife tried to plead with him again.
”Please leave them alone, let's just go home. I can get a pot of t-” the woman was suddenly cut off as the man backhanded her, to neither the taverns surprise, or apparently hers. Leo became enraged at the act, but held it in check. He couldn't afford to have the orange eyes appear here. He forcefully calmed himself, and steadily said to the still waiting Shane,
”My WIFE was mauled by a high wolf on the road a few weeks ago, she lost the sight in one eye and has several leftover scars. I would appreciate not having to force her to show herself in front of the whole tavern.” Leo recited their arranged story, but no one in the tavern apparently bought it.
”I've heard that story a hundred times, do you think any of us are so stupid as to believe it?” Knowing he found a mutant to bear his wrath, Shane's wits returned at an amazing pace as if his previous slurring had all been an act. Shane then reached out as if to hit Leo for lying to him. Leo reacted to guard himself, but it wasn't until a second later that he realized he was tricked. Shane's real target was iris's hood.
He grabbed a fist full of the cloth, and yanked it back to for fully reveal her face to the whole tavern. As he did so, she turned and shot a glare at him, only to go into shock along with every other person in the tavern except Leo and Thomas. Her gaze was originally directed at Shane, but the woman behind him caught her eye and stunned her. The reason was because the two looked almost exactly alike.
The only differences between Iris and the woman was that the woman was noticeably more aged, had a bruise forming on her cheek, and didn't have iris's golden eyes. The woman stared at Iris in equal shock, and looked directly at her eyes. She then said to Iris,
”Mary?”