Kingdom Of Eloral {{Semi-Advanced}} discussion
((that's a lot! Don't be sorry))Rowan shivers as she walks through the dank, dark streets. The girl wasn't used to this, but her father needed tools and wasn't comfortable going to her mother. She walked around, trying to look invisible and not attract attention. Some guys whistled and girls winked, but Rowan ignored all of them. She wasn't going g to get distracted. Also, it scared her, this place. She Westside how to act or look. It was terrifying.
Her hair was in a tight French braid at the back of her head. She wore a tight dress that bore her families crest. Nut she wished it didn't. as it drew to much attention. The tightness made it hard to breathe, so she was huffing and light headed. She seemed poised and formal even in a place like this. She didn't talk to anyone, and almost made it, until she accidentally bumped into someone.
The male felt something bump into his back and turned around, quirking a brow. He saw the smaller girl and noticed how off she looked. He frowned a bit as his brows knitted together. What was a girl like her doing there alone? Despite it being an active place, from what he's seen, Tarrin wasn't exactly safe. He hoped she was more capable than she looked, because right now, she seemed scared and a bit ill to him. Of course, looks could be deceiving. He was just going to continue walking and let it be, but it was bothering him. He sighed in frustration and ran his fingers through his hair, though, to no avail as it went back to it's original position. "Are you alright, Miss? Do you need an escort or something? You look rather pale." he asked her. While he did seem slightly annoyed, it didn't seem like he had any bad intentions. He noticed the people around and how they looked at her, his brows knitting together and he glared at them in agitation. Were they hitting on some little girl? Shameless. He placed his hand on his dagger and stared down anyone who dared to even look at the girl in an improper way. Despite being a merchant now, he was a knight at some point and still technically was. Things like this would obviously bothered him. After all, what if one of the princesses were in this situation? He would only hope that someone would do something like this for them as well. "Disgusting." he muttered to himself out loud, though it didn't seem like he was referring to her. It could be simply because his sister and his mother were in situations like that in the past, or because he had both those women in his life, but people like that clearly agitated him. He seemed pretty much ready to unsheathe his dagger, the only thing keeping it from leaving the sheath being his thumb that was placed between the handle and the opening of the sheath, his thumb pressing against the cold metal of his weapon.
Rowan shakes her head, trying to hide how scared ahe was. She eyes his dagger, and feels comfort in how fast she is. The gurl stands up and dusts of her clothes. "No sir, I'll deal," Rowan responds, ignoring his other comments. She takes a shaky breath, forcing herself not to look at the dagger again. Rowan gives him a small smile that he doesn't return and starts to walk away. She stops at a mechanics stand and buys the supplies her father requested.
He sighed a bit before relaxing a bit, removing his hand from his dagger. He ran his fingers through his hair once more. It seemed to be something he did whenever he was stressed. More or so anyways. He didn't seem to be in much of a mood to look around the area anymore. He decided to follow the girl. As a royal knight, he didn't exactly feel right to leave her on her own. Despite how unfriendly and mean he looked, he was just a large puppy after all. He glanced down at her for a moment. "I'll bring you where you need to go." he insisted. It didn't exactly seem like he was really going to give up on the matter. He was extremely stubborn. Though, he had been given a moment to cool down. Rather than frowning and looking angry like before, he looked rather indifferent as he looked at the girl. His curly, dirty blonde hair kept getting in his way, so, once more he attempted to move it out the way. "If I didn't accompany you, I'm sure my sister would kill me without hesitance if she found out. So, please allow me to." He said. The male didn't seem to smile much either, well, at least that seemed to be the type of person he was, despite his appearance.
The girl looks at the strange man with interest and a filter head, slightly to the right. She looks around at the merchants and crowd, all with devious looks and sharp weapons. She almost agrees but then thinks. what if it's a trick? She regarded him with a new suspicion and takes a step back. "No thank you. I can find my own way back," she answers, surprisingly calm. Before he can say anything she grabs the bag and runs, her feet hitting the ground in a blur and it looking back once. She could here him running after her and she goes faster, sure she can't trust him now. She couldn't trust anyone. Not even her own parents, who had proven that two days ago. Then she curses as the girl realizes that she had stopped and takes off again, but not before a hand grabs her wrist.
The male sighed as he watched her dart. Was he really that suspicious? He thought he was pretty trust worthy. He opened his bag, letting a small little creature fly out. "Bunny, follow after that girl I was talking to so I don't lose her." He said. The creature huffed, not exactly happy that he still insisted on calling him bunny. He turned around, hitting Oliver with it's tail. He then flew off, following from above that way Oliver could see him. He then began following after, making sure to look up at Bunny so he didn't lose her. He eventually caught up, though, he had to push through some crowd. He saw that some guy had caught her by the arm and frowned. He went over and grabbed the male's arm, squeezing it rather hard as the male let out a loud yelp. He moved the male's arm so it was behind his back, holding him down as his knee sunk into his back. It seemed he was pretty well versed in fighting. "You should be glad I'm on leave, or I would have brought you straight to a cell." he huffed, clearly annoyed once more. Bunny flew around above them for a bit before landing on his shoulder. "Bunny, go call some guards or knights here. Take my badge." He ordered. Bunny nodded and hopped over to his bag. He pulled out some badge like thing, which proved his identity as a royal knight. Bunny then flew off. It didn't take very long for them to return with someone, as they weren't far off. The person soon came and took the male away. He dusted himself off before Bunny landed back on his shoulder, out of breath. He took the badge back and slid it back in his bag. He took out what looked like a berry and gave it to the small creature, who ate it up quickly. He then glanced toward the girl. "Do you understand why you need an escort, right? I would suggest cooperating, as it would be easier for both of us. I don't want to have to follow you from behind to make sure things like this don't happen again. I'll look like some kind of creep. If it makes you feel better, I'm friends with a few of the royal knights, hence why I have one of their badges. I'm not a bad person, and even if I were the type to offer help in order to pick up chicks or do something indecent or whatever you think I might do, I'm not into little children. I'm assuming your what, fourteen? Fifteen? I'm sure my sister would have my head if I tried." He tried to reassure. From the way he spoke, he seemed a bit awkward and had no idea how to convince her.
"I'm seventeen. And while I'm grateful for your assistance, I don't appreciate being called a child. And the guard? What have they ever done for me? Why should I trust you? I don't trust anyone. This could all be am elaborate trick, and I'm jyst a poor innocent victim. I can take care of myself, thank you, and I don't need an egotistical male to take care of me," she snaps, annoyed. The female shakes her hand, as the man had grabbed it hard. She actually WA great ful that this man had shown up. The last time e somthing like that happened, no one had been there, and it was traumatic. It still scares her to this day. Rowan had only barley escaped. But then she remembered that this man could very well be just like them and tenses. She flips her hair over her shoulders, looking at at the man, her hands on her hips in annoyance. "I don't even know your name. So enlighten me; one good reason. One good reason I SHOULD trust you, one that I can't shoot down, ad I'll let you cone with me," Rowan decides.
Egotistical? Was that really how he appeared to her? He didn't really know how to change that, considering the fact he had no idea how he even came off as that way. Though, the insult did seem to kind of bring him down a bit. He didn't think he seemed like those other people. Did he really come off like that? But, they were creepy, and well, he was just trying to help. He waited until she finished talking, not wanting to interrupt her before thinking for a moment. "Well, first off.. You can call me Elias. I guess I'm kind of like... a merchant? Is that the right term? I sell things to make a living I suppose. I am nineteen, so I'm not that much older than you. I've lived around the royal palace for a while. I have a little sister who is around your age. I can only count up to 9,999 as I have no idea what number comes after. My companion here is Bunny. He likes cuddles. Um... If I was interested in women, as I am of marriageable age and have a lot of connections, I would already have been married. And, even if that was because I wasn't interested in marriage, if I wanted to harm you, I would have already had plenty of chances to do so. Even if I did not do so myself, I could easily order Bunny to claw your eyes out, and I do not need to offer to escort you to find out where you lived. If I had any other intentions, I would have just followed you in secret or sent Bunny to follow you and bring me there later." he informed her. "Is that enough, or do you want to know about my past relationships too?" He asked her. He figured giving her a bunch of information, whether it be useless or not, would be more than enough for her to trust him. He tilted his head as he looked at her. Bunny seemed to be rubbing up against his face, though, he did nothing to really stop them. Despite their bunny-bird like appearance, Bunny seemed to be more like a cat at the moment than anything. "I can let you hold bunny until we get there. That way you have insurance." He added. Bunny's eyes widened and his ears went up. His fur stood on end as he glared at Oliver, who glanced to the side so he would not have to meet the creature's gaze. It was clear that the little one didn't like being offered up as collateral. Though, Oliver felt no guilt. It's what they get for eating all of his food.
Rowan balls her fists. "Fine," the girl decides, scooping up Bunny. "But one wring move and I'll have you in jail for a lifetime," she warns. Rowan walks on in silence, holding the animal close to her chest. She walks along I silence, looking at the dessert littered with houses and shops and stands. She"s still tense, not trust Elias, so she tightens her grip on Bunny. The female th KS a lose strand of hair to behind her ears, as it had fallen out. She was secretly relived that he had cone along, but she wasn't going yo admit that, would she?
Bunny just snuggled up to the girl's chest, enjoying the warmth. It seemed as though he enjoyed warm places, and well, that was possibly why he stayed in Oliver's bag. Oliver followed behind her quietly, keeping a respectable distance. He didn't really feel very comfortable around women, nor being close to them. He looked around quietly, hand resting on his dagger just in case he needed to pull it out. He seemed a bit tense, though, he had been tense ever since she bumped into him. After all, females kind of made him uncomfortable. "Do you have anyone who can escort you in the future?" He asked her after a bit of silence. He seemed pretty blunt. He wanted to make sure that his efforts weren't in vain and in the future, there would be someone to keep her safe.
"I don't need an escort. I'm perfectly capable on my own. But if it means you'll leave me alone, I have my nest friend. But just because I'm short, and I'm a girl doesn't mean I'm not strong and fast," She Rowan ads She didn't appreciate how he was so protective He had no right to be, over someone he just met. She alreready had her parents. She didn't need a complex stranger as well. Just once she wanted ed a bit of freedom.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't say that. It's just, back in the market place you seemed a bit ill, and well, if I may be frank, scared. A friend might make you feel more at ease, and well, if it's a guy, maybe it can help keep more eyes off you as well. I'm not saying you aren't strong or you aren't fast, it just might help avoid guys like the one who grabbed you." He said, though he seemed to be having trouble wording it. He didn't really know how to talk to women and he didn't want her to think he was doing that toxic masculinity thingy or being "egotistical" as she put it. He didn't really understand either of them all that much, but that could be because he was sheltered for long and had always been around other men. "Plus, it's always good to have someone to back you up and be there for you. I think. Or at least, that's what I've been told. Comfort and stuff. Even if it's not a man, it could be a... girlfriend?" he seemed confused on the last term. That's what his sister had called her friends, so that was the term he used. Though, it definitely sounded foreign and weird coming out his mouth. He really didn't know much about women, or how friendships typically work. He had co-workers, sure, but never really anything outside of that. Plus, most of the knights were older than him, and because he didn't drink, he couldn't spend much time with all of them when they hung out.
"I don't have many friends. Mostcof the people who try are just using me. I only have one," ah answers curtly. "But I'll take your suggestion ," she says after a moment of silence. "Until I get used to it," Rowan decides. "Well, I can take it from here I know the way, and almost no one comes to Tarrin. I'll be fine,,," she says. A bit too quickly. But she didn't want anyone to known He might report her, or see the missing signs.
He shook his head in response. "I'll escort you to your house." He said in response. The male seemed rather stubborn for the most part. He wasn't about to just half-ass it after all. It didn't seem like he would really give up. If she told him no, he would just go anyways. He did prefer if it was with permission though. He looked at her curiously. "So... What are friends like?" he asked slowly. He was rather hard-headed and persistent, so it was kind of hard to believe he hadn't managed to get someone to be his friend. Then again, he did also seem a bit awkward and tense.
Rowan slows down, glad to have and excuse to stall. "For me, it's having someone to cover for you when you sneak out. Someone to have your back, someone you can trust. A person to rely on, who will always be there. My best friend, he's always making sure I don't get into trouble. He makes sure I don't say up to late, and watches my back all the time. And I do the same for him. I make sure he gets outside, lives a little."
He nodded as he listened to her before thinking for a moment. "So... like my sister?" He asked. "Or... is there some kind of rule where family can't be considered friends?" He asked once more. He didn't seem to be very knowledgeable about the subject at all. He kept his eyes on her, though, he made sure to pay attention to their surroundings. He didn't seem to be very sociable for the most part and it seemed to be his attempt at small talk.
She shakes her head. "Family is often the closest of friends. So, yeah, your sister. What us she like?" Rowan had been a single child all her life. Her parents had started to habe problems soon after she was born, so there was no chance of new siblings. She also wishes that something would happen so she could slip away. She just wasn't ready to face her parents.
He thought for a moment, trying to think of the best way to describe his sister. "She's kind of like you. Always on guard around others. But, she's always almost always ready to attack someone, whether it be physically or with her words. Whenever she had tea parties with other ladies, she was often quick to respond to their snarky remarks, it was always fun to watch. Though, I'm sure she's gotten tired of playing around with the social circles by now. She was never really one to be entertained by much for very long. I believe around after I left, she was supposed to pick up swordsmanship. So... for the past four years or so? I'm sure a lot has changed since then though." he hummed. "She's probably gotten sick of father by now and is likely cursing me out for leaving as we speak." He hummed, though, he didn't really sound very upset by that. Based on what he's said, he hadn't really seen his sister for the past four years. After all, he has been on the "run" since then too. "We were very close, though we argued a lot. We kind of had to be, considering we were the only ones we really had. Though, I think she enjoyed messing with me far too much." He hummed.
Rowan nods, feeling strange. She'd never had any siblings. so she was a bit jealous. But then she realized it was longing..She hadn't seen her best friend in days, and she missed him. In a way, he family. Always there for her, no matter what. It made her sad and nostalgic. I'll visit him tonight, she thinks, and starts to formulate a plan in her head. She would have to ditch 'Elias' to do so, so he wouldn't return her hone.
He watched the female quietly. "Have you ever run away before? Or like, at least snuck out for long periods of time?" He asked the girl curiously. He didn't know anyone around his age, but he heard that a lot of kids often ranaway or snuck out in rebellion, kind of like what he had done. It was some kind of... trend or something? He didn't really know.
Rowan shakes her head. "No," she lies.."My family life is pretty stable. No reason to." Even more lies. She's had seventeen years to practice so she's pretty good at it. "Why?" she wonder, trying to get the subject off of her. If he found out, she'd surely go back and never be aloud to leave again, and she couldn't let that happen. She just couldn't stand to be hone right now. It was to hard. Her mother had become distant and her father Ill-tempered.
"Oh. I heard a lot of teenagers do that. One of the knights I know, my senior, would often tease me because of how often I snuck away." He hummed. He found no reason to really lie, after all, she didn't really know anything but his middle name. "I'm actually a run away myself. I can't go into the details about much of my family or my position, because then, well, the whole keeping my real identity a secret so I don't have to return thing. Mind you, you likely won't find out who I am even if you look, so, um. Please don't try to." He added. "I'm not sure how... 'trends' work... but uh. That's how my senior officer basically explained it. An act of rebellion or something? I didn't really understand most of it, I'm pretty sure he was senile." He said. "But.. Uh, I was just wondering because I believe you are really the first person I've met that's around my age since... well, since I was eight." he said.
She perks up. "Your a runaway?" she asks. "Interesting." She bites her lips and ponders this information. "Well, you can call me Kayla," she says as they reach the edge of town. "And I can make my way from here. I don't want my parents to freak out," Rowan tells him. Like she would be seeing them. "And my friends house isn't far from here. He can take me the rest of the way. Thank you for your help," she ads. The dress had stretched a bit, giving her more airspace and takes it a deep breath."Goodbye."
He felt a bit disappointed. It was nice to have someone to talk with for once. "Um.. Yeah. I'll be in town for a few days, so if you need me, I'll likely have a shop set up soon." he muttered quietly. "Goodbye." He said. He seemed to be pouting a bit, like a child who has to separate from their friends or a dog being left by it's owner. "Have fun and stay safe. If something like earlier happens, kick them in the grinds." He added.
((XD))Rowan hesitates. "I could stay a bit longer. You don't seem to have much company," She offers, unsure. "My parents expect me back in a few hours, so I can talk for a bit." Rowan brushes off her dress and loses it so it's not quite as tight.
He seemed to brighten up a bit. "Are you sure? You don't have to." He said, though, he was happy she was willing to stay with him. It had been a really long time since he's had a proper conversation with anyone. Being as anti-social as he was, he didn't exactly have friends. Well, his age anyways. He seemed to be a bit of an open book with his emotions. Like, when he first met her it was pretty obvious that he was concerned, annoyed, and angry. Of course, his anger wasn't really directed at her, neither was his annoyance. Right now, he was happy that she was willing to stay with him. If he were one of those beast people and had a tail, it would definitely be wagging right now. Despite how clear his emotions were, it also seemed like he was pretty much an open book with his life and everything else. Of course, not with details concerning his identity, but as a runaway, of course that would be natural. "I'm sure you would rather go back home and change into something comfortable. I don't want to keep you." He added. Even though he was happy at the chance to speak with her more, he didn't really seem to want to inconvenience her any more than he has.
Rowan shakes her head. "No, that's alright.I can deal with a tight dress," she answers, smiling at his excitement. "Where do you stay?" she asks him. She was glad to get put of sight, away from were someone might recognize and see her. Other than her best friend, she couldn't trust anyone not to turn her in..That's why she gave her mothers name, Kayla.
He thought for a moment. Where was he staying? He looked at her for a moment after coming up with an answer. "I guess outside?" He said, though it sounded like a question. Considering he had been busy acquiring a permit since he got there that morning, he hadn't really had much time to find lodgings. Even if he did, he didn't really have much money to spend on a fancy inn or anything. He didn't mind sleeping outside, he'd just need to make a camp.
Rowan smiles. "I can help, if you want a place to stay. I have more money than I need," she says bitterly. "It's no trouble." she hands him a bag of coins, wicning. People often looked down on her for being rich, so she probably just drove him away. But she keeps on her smile as if nothing wss wrong, though it pained her to do so. How do you give and give when all people do is judge you for it?
"Oh, no, no. I can't take your money. Plus, I don't mind sleeping outside. I typically do so a lot anyways. Since I'll be setting up my shop soon anyways, I'll make enough money for lodgings, so you don't need to worry." he reassured. He couldn't take her money. Back before he ran away, he would normally just think of it as just small pocket change, but, after running away and having to work for money, he realized how important a single coin was. "Plus. I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing I bought a place with your money. And, it's always more satisfying to buy a room with the money you earn." He hummed. He didn't seem very surprised by the amount of money she had, in fact, he didn't even bat an eye. As if that amount was normal. Though, he did seem very adamant on not taking her money. "Plus. You should save as much money as possible. I'm assuming you haven't had your social debut yet? Or at least, a debutante." He asked. Despite not having enough money to even by a room for the night, he seemed to know a lot about noble customs and acted as if they were normal occurrence. Then again, he did say he was friends with knights, and a lot of royal knights come from well off families. Not to mention, he was a merchant.
Rowan puts the money back in her pocket. "No. No I haven't." And I'm not planning to. She tucks her long, blonde, hair back. "I Was wondering," she starts. "When you leave town in a few days. Could I come with you?" She asks. "After I said goodbye to my brother- I mean, my friend," she ads.
"Um... if you want, yeah, that should be fine. I travel a lot though and often end up sleeping outside. Also... um.. I have a lot of people kind of looking for me and it's a bit dangerous, so I'm not sure if I'm exactly the person you want to go with." He muttered quietly, scratching the back of his neck. Bunny seemed to have fell asleep in Rowan's arms, all curled up.
Rowan smiles sadly, holding Bunny. "I'll miss y family. But it's better than being here. I will have to say goodbye to-" she looks down. "Oh." Then Rowan shakes her head. "No, I'm doing this," she decides. She strokes Bunny, rocking her from side to side.
"Ah, alright. If you are sure, it's fine. I just wanted to make sure you were warned before hand. But uh... I'll only be in town for about three days or so. I don't typically stay in one place for long." He informed her. "So, if you want, for those three days, you can keep Bunny with you. After the three days is up, he can help you find me. Or, whenever you need me really. He seems to really like you, so it should be fine as long as you keep him warm and feed him." He hummed.
Rowan nods. "Okay. I'll be ready," she says. Rowan wss ready for a knew life. She just wasn't ready to leave one thing behind. Nut how could she ask him to go with her?
The male yawned quietly. "I'm sure your parents are worried about you. You should probably head home soon. I need to find a nice shade to sleep in anyways." He muttered quietly, looking down at her. He seemed rather tired, as if he hadn't slept in days. Which, wouldn't be very inaccurate. After all, it was hard to have a good rest when he had to constantly be on guard.
She looks down. "I guess," she says. They've been worried about her for days. The last time anyone had seen her other than her best friend was three days ago. She would have to go back then. "You can sleep in the spare mattress in the attic. There's am entrance in my room, and you could enter through the window," she offers.
"Are you sure? I don't want to impose or anything. I don't want you to get in trouble." He said. Despite his initial impression, the male seemed pretty soft spoken and mindful. Though, it could be because he had already gotten used to her. He was generally a nice person, just... quick to lose his temper when it came to certain things, like when people were looking at her weirdly. In his mind, it was a bunch of people flirting with an unwilling minor. It pissed him off, and, clearly, he's wasn't very level headed.
She shakes her head. "It's fine." then a look of horror passes on her face "We'll be leaving on my birthday," she says softly. "Oh God, they're going to be devastated." she collects herself after a bit of pacing. "I'm okay.It's okay. I can visit sometimes, if we're in the area," she says, calming herself down. "Okay. I'm good. And yeah, it'll be okay."
He tilted his head as he watched her pace. "We can leave the day after, if you want? One more day or two doesn't really bother me." He offered. "I can just have my shop open here for a day or two longer." He hummed.
She nods. “That would be great,” Rowan says greatfully. “And thank you. For your help. It means a lot.” Rowan tucks her hair behind her ears. “Well, my house is this way,” the girl says, pointing to the north. “Do you want to go now, in time for dinner?”
"It doesn't matter when I go in. I don't really eat dinner typically anyways." He said. He placed his hands in his pockets in hopes to warm him. He did a little click with his tongue and Bunny flew out of the girl's arms before flying into his bag, which he had open. He didn't want her parents to see him.
“Well, you will tonight,” Rowan responds, walking beside him torwards her house. The lush scenery she had grown up with withered in the cold, and the sky was clouded over. She hugs her arms, and shivers. “My real name is Rowan. You’d hear it from my parents either way, so I suppose I should tell you.”
"Alright. My real name is Oliver." He said in response. He noticed how cold she looked. "We should get inside quickly. Do you want me to come through your window?" He asked. He looked around. Which window was it?
“That one, up there,” she points. She leaves him to his own and walks into her house. She had a ready reunion with her family. They were devastated she was leaving in a few days, but she told them she wanted to see the world. It wasn’t a lie.
He hummed as he waited for a bit before climbing up to her window, he opened it and slid in. He closed it behind him and waited for her to come up there so she can direct him where to go next.
After dinner, Rowan sneaks up a plate of salmon and vegtebles.“Here,” she says softly, handing him the plate. She sits on the floor.
He took the plate and took a few bites from it. He placed it on the side for a moment before looking at Rowan. He didn't seem to have much of an appetite. "Thank you. How did your parents take it?" He asked her, looking at her quietly.
Rowan looks down. "They were pretty upset. Begged me not to go. But I just can't stand it. Being here with them fighting, not being able to do what I want. It's too much. And I know it's selfish." Rowan tugs at her hair anxiously.
