Private Finished Victory on a few fronts

After the match with Straga fighting against this person felt like a breeze. Hah'en had been prepared to use her mist if necessary, but in the end she pulled through with relative ease just with the Highcloud scythe and some partial shifting. Subtle partial shifting though, because apart from other dragons, Hah'en preferred not to let her identity as a dragon to be known. It was another habit from her past; in Hah'en's world dragons were extremely rare and valuable and had people known she was one Hah'en would've been hunted down relentlessly.

Hah'en walked off the arena with minimum injuries, though she had received one blow that had broken a rib. So, Hah'en paid a quick visit to the infirmary, where her opponent was being treated, unconscious of course. Hah'en hadn't been able to make them give up and didn't want to bloody herself or her scythe too much, so she had just knocked them out. She didn't enjoy making a mess.
Hah'en got some healing done, and though she didn't have to use a crutch or get a cast she was told to watch out for the rib and there was a very nasty-looking bruise on her torso.

Hah'en walked out the infirmary her head held high, and she got congratulated on the way out. One gentleman even handed her his business card, hinting about a possible bodyguard position. Hah'en smiled politely, but for some reason didn't feel as happy about the job opportunity as she would've before...
As Hah'en walked she caught a familiar scent, one that gave her a mild headache. She sighed, and as she turned the next corner Hah'en stopped and turned to raise a brow at Adryan.

"I would say I did not expect to see you here, but of course you would be where I am. You seem determined enough to be the bane of my existence."
Hah'en said that, but she herself noticed her words lacked the bite they used to have. Hah'en didn't genuinely dislike Adryan anymore. She couldn't see them becoming friends, but Hah'en and him were now acquaintances and after he had shown a side of himself that was genuine Hah'en couldn't think of him as just a petty thief anymore.

"Clearly."
Hah'en answered with not as much sarcasm, but it was there in her tone, vague but perceptible. Hah'en didn't often enjoy using sarcasm, but it had seemed like an appropriate response. The banter with Adryan often seemed to include sarcasm from the man's side, after all. Hah'en wanted to answer in-kind.

"Thank you."
Hah'en said curtly, nodding her head slightly. Hah'en was pretty sure Adryan meant his congratulations, he seemed sincere.
"It was only the natural outcome."
Hah'en added after a pause, wanting to perhaps indulge a bit in the pride she felt over her victory. Hah'en blamed it on the dragon in her.

"Your words hardly apply any pressure."
Hah'en huffed, half exasperated and half amused. They both already knew that Adryan's opinion wouldn't affect Hah'en all that much.
"But I must inform you that I am indeed not the best fighter on the island or arena, so it's for your own good to let go of such expectations."
Hah'en didn't feel frustrated to admit this, it was just a fact. There was always someone better than her and there was no shame in admitting it, as long as Hah'en didn't let it affect her motivation and didn't let it stop her.

The invite to dinner was an unexpected one, and Hah'en subtly raised an eyebrow at the man before her. Was he...nervous? His voice lacked the usual charm and confidence, like he was actually afraid that Hah'en would turn him down. And she in fact would've done just that, but the way Adryan seemed sincere and hesitant changed her mind.
"A meal could not hurt, I was intending to do so in the first place. I suppose the food won't taste that much worse with you in the same table."
Hah'en said this, but yet again the words lacked bite, and there was the slightest hint of a smile dancing on Hah'en's face before it flickered out.
"Let us not waste any time, come."
And with that Hah'en walked past Adryan and headed towards the front doors.

The thief's reaction was exaggerated to say the least, and his bad imitation of Hah'en earned an eye roll from her. She gave the man an unimpressed look as they walked out of the arena alongside each other.
"That would've been highly illogical, I'm not that brutish. Previously you always earned such treatment, now you have not done anything to deserve getting pushed to the wall. Yet, at least."
Because Hah'en had a feeling that Adryan would definitely give her more reasons to be rough in the future, the man was built to get on her nerves.
Besides, Hah'en had been seen in the company of much worse than petty thieves before. Much, much worse...

"As you asked for my opinion, I have a decent place in mind near here. Follow me."
Hah'en said and turned to walk down the street to the left. The place she had in mind served food that was called "Italian" in this world. Hah'en knew that the food was originally from a country called Italy and thus called that, and she very much enjoyed the taste.

"Yes you have, on my standards."
Hah'en answers, feeling maybe slightly regretful over some of the instances when she treated Adryan roughly. But, she didn't trust the man then and didn't trust him now and in her opinion she had taken necessary precautions.
Suddenly Hah'en heard Adryan say 'Shut it', and she snapped her head to subtly glare at him, ready to tell him not to give her orders. But...it seemed like Adryan wasn't talking to her? Rather, he had snapped to himself. Hah'en frowned slightly in confusion; was this Adryan's self-talking habit lifting its head again? Hah'en was starting to suspect there was more to it, but she decided not to ask before she had more information.

Hah'en didn't notice or mind the silence around them, she wasn't the most social person and unless there were meaningful or important words to be said she preferred silence. Small talk was necessary only for politeness' sake and Hah'rn didn't feel the need to go the extra mile for Adryan. The man already understood Hah'en well enough not to expect small talk. But, when Adryan asked Hah'en a casual question, she didn't feel as unpleasant about the small talk as usual. Strange.
"Well enough. My pay has increased exponentially."
Hah'en said, not even thinking of mentioning how she felt like she wasn't sure whether or not she should continue doing the work she was currently doing.