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 Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 1:30 pm
The witching hour cast an ominous glow onto the streets of Zidel. In daylight hours the wooden edifices of passing buildings would have looked less threatening, and with the moon at his back it seemed like every window held a thousand eyes, each as judgmental as the last. So far his 'grand escape' was working, but the night was still young. As far as he knew every sound was that of a pursuer, and the whole concept made Asa paranoid. Thankfully he'd yet to pass anyone, but if he did...what would he do? Run? Play it off? If he tried talking to them he wouldn't know what to say and -
Taking a deep breath, Asa exhaled into his scarf and pushed on. Getting to 'The Frayed Knot' was harder than he'd imagined. For one, Asa hadn't been exactly sure how to reach the nondescript inn, even after telling Ygraine to meet him there. In all honesty he hadn't imagined coming after her, but here he was, walking down the same streets two, three times over just to get on the right path. As if that wasn't enough to make him question his decisions the sheer weight of packing his belongings was starting to weigh on him.
Asa had never been the athletic sort, for obvious reasons. Due to this illness he'd been expressly forbidden from straining his lungs and thus, hadn't had much experience carrying anything heavy. Thankfully the sheer amount of coats and scarves on his person kept him from feeling the cold too much, but the exhaustion of it all caused him to take several breaks before even catching sight of the inn.
And...what a sight it was. How did this pass for an inn? The building itself looked like it had a layer of grime all over it, and the men gathered around outside, smoking their pipes in the midnight air, all looked like thugs! For a moment he contemplated staying outside to wait for her until he remembered that he'd asked a lady to meet him here.
He could only imagine what she thought of him now.
Shuffling around the men, Asa went through the front door and found himself a place by the fire quickly enough.While it wasn't exactly the most pristine inn he was pleasantly surprised to see that the inside was well kept, at least, and the proprietor was kind. He took Asa's coin with little question, but when it came to finding Ygraine...
"I'm afraid I can't be giving out that kind of information," He stated firmly. "Wouldn't be right to go spouting stuff like that. If she really is here and she wants to see you you can see her in the morning."
There was little point in arguing; Asa could tell that much. He'd become an expert on judging stubborn old men. Instead, he settled for a cup of hot honey tea, and contemplated his next move.
Some of the patrons didn't care for him too much, though, and made their grumbling known as they shuffled off to bed. "Comin' in here orderin' blue vein tea...ain't no place around here even sells that crap."
"All I know is that if he's still here in the morning those boots are coming with me. Just one could set us up for life."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:55 pm
(1/10)
Yes, well... dingy just about covered the Frayed Knot in a word. The first few days after separating from Asa Ygraine had made herself busy scurrying around for supplies, getting ready for the appointed day they would leave. Or... the day he would come to discuss this with her, or tell her that he wasn't coming. As the days passed, Ygraine's nerves racked higher and higher, and doubts began to seep into her mind. He had made it so clear how difficult it was for him to escape unnoticed, so then... how was he expecting to come? If he was running, they wouldn't expect it, but if he was coming just to tell her goodbye... would he risk getting in trouble for that? She... wondered. To keep herself busy, the hybrid made the decision to move from the inn she'd first gotten a room at when she came to the capital, and instead booked one at the Frayed Knot.
It was only natural that, if she was going to be stuck here, she'd take on a bit of extra coin in the days leading up to the trip, right? Her mentor's daughter had been a barmaid, after all, and like her Ygraine had done work for a number of winters there - it wasn't new work, and it helped keep her mind busy. When she wasn't earning a bit extra, she was curled up in the ratty chair in her room making modifications to the clothes she's purchased that sincerely hoped would fit Asa. She couldn't recall his exact height, but adding a bit of padding for warmth into the tunics sounded like a good idea. She traced her fingers over the stitching, passable but not overly pretty, and remembered his embroidery - when they had first met and they had exchanged compliments under the tree, out by the vista of the city.
And so the days passed, and nerves continued to mount. The day of the meeting, she'd procured as many salted meats, dried fruits, nuts, and other traveling staples as she could, and had packed and repacked her things a number of times. As the evening arrived, she waited anxiously at a table in the main room, jolting and staring up at the door every time it opened. Which... grew old, honestly. For gods' sake, she fiercely wished he had given her a ... a time to expect him...! At her wits' end, she stepped outside and rounded to the back of the tavern to the stables there, smiling weakly as Morrigan, the raptrix she'd inherited from her father, stirred - her tail thumping happily against the wood behind her. " Hey girl. Rest up - we're going to have a long road ahead of us." She soothed, squatting to sling her arms around the mighty beast's fluffy neck, grateful that Morrigan was laying down... it made her easier to cuddle.
There she pet the soft feathers, enjoying the rumbles and quiet, throaty chirrups... until almost a half hour had passed, and her worry of missing Asa finally tugged her away. The raptrix huffed in distaste, nearly knocking Ygraine aside with a surly paw to the leg, but with a tossed bit of jerky Ygraine escaped, a bit ruffled but grinning.
Back at the front of the tavern, Ygraine's gaze lit up at a client from a day before, flashing a smile. "You! Are you at the tavern every night? What does your wife think!"
"That's my secret, lass - don't got a wife." A gruff looking older man responded, smoke from his pipe curling out of his nostrils. He said it proudly, but the friends behind him guffawed in response, giving him a shove that made his attempt at looking refined fall to pieces. "You don't brag about that, y'dunce! What sorta fellow don't got a wife at yer age?"
"Please, this here girly doesn't want some old married lout, does she? Lay off!" The first man grumbled, at which point Ygraine finally pushed open the door, shaking her head - silver curls falling into her face with the motion. "No! But I don't want a drunkard neither!"
The men chuffed at that as well, but didn't follow her inside - instead, the feeble protestations and arguments of the first man sounded until the door closed heavily, and the din of the clients inside made it hard to hear more.
Asa... was a tiny man, but he was a man of nobility, with expensive clothes besides, and as such he was painfully easy to pick out of a crowd. Ygraine's heart thudded at seeing him. Unfortunately... while she understood that his scarves and other layers of clothing were to protect him... instead, he looked like some young lordling come to look for a mistress, and a number of pretty but lowborn wenches were sending him looks. Ygraine strode across the room to him, propping a hand on the back of his chair and leaning so that she could look down at him, smiling prettily. "Just when I was thinking you wouldn't show!" She said sweetly.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 6:21 pm
The tea was barely passable as hot leaf water, but at the very least it was warm. With a liberal dosing of honey it was even tasty, if not a little overly sweet. Naturally his chosen chair well worn, but high backed, unlike most of the hardened wood benches around him. For all intents and purposes Asa still chose the lordlings spot by the fire even though he was on the run, but habits were terribly hard to break.
Even the way he held his tea cup was poised, as if he were expecting a servant to come by at any moment and replace it with another.
He was fairly into the cup when voices kicked up again. At first Asa paid it little mind; the first couple rounds he'd been curious, panicked more like, as to who it was, but every time it was a local patron. So, this time he didn't bother looking until a hand landed on his chair, causing him to jolt up with a fearful little shriek. Thankfully his tea cup had been nearly empty because the jolt launched the remnants straight onto his lap. Heart still beating like a wild storm, Asa turned his eyes towards Ygraine and felt his cheeks darken.
Even here she was the most lovely woman he'd ever seen.
A gaggle of gigglers alerted him to the lowborn women looking their way, among others, and Asa cleared his throat. He lowered the teacup into his lap with a faint shake in his hands. The whole thing was terribly embarrassing, and yet he'd been so sure he was caught...
That smile though....All at once he felt as if his mouth was full of wool, despite the tea he'd just drank.
"You make it sound as if I was dawdling." He passed her an amused smile. Then, more seriously, he added, "It wasn't my intention to make you wait. I just-" Seeing the others in the room made him very careful of his answers, "-got caught up."
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 2:03 pm
(2/10) Yes, well - perhaps the shot of jealousy had been misplaced and childish. After all, he was to be married to an apparently very lovely (if uncaring) bride, so if he had come all this way to see Ygraine there was little chance he would be eyeing some tavern wenches. ... Still - it was a side of Ygraine that she had carefully omitted in the brief times she and Asa had talked, and she hoped that when he came with her he wouldn't dislike it--
Ygraine pushed those thoughts away. First, she didn't know whether or not he was even coming with her, and... if he did, it was as a friend, not... what she was feeling. She mustn't get ahead of herself. Besides-- when she appeared, Asa jolted and made a startled noise that made her heart thump guiltily, her face morphing into a sheepish smile... which turned into a concern frown a moment later.
Caught up? "Of course not, I just..." Missed you was on the tip of her tongue, but she cleared her throat and instead stood straight again. "Was worried for you, is all. Would you like to talk in private?" It was risky to talk out in the open, but also risky to go upstairs - after all, if someone DID follow him, and they found he was alone in a room with a young lady, it would ruin his reputation.
It also meant that it was the perfect litmus test for where they stood - if he came with her, it meant he was likely here to run away with her. If... not... then he was here to give his apologies and wish her well.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 5:49 pm
"Oh that would hardly be appro-" Catching himself, Asa pinched his lips closed and furrowed his brow. They had long since crossed those barriers when she stole away into his room, and yet the idea of following a lady, unaccompanied, into her private area felt...It was just so...Even now he opened his mouth nervously and closed it once again, cheeks darkening further if such a thing were possible. He lowered his cup with an unsteady exhale and nodded his head. "I think that given our current situation that would be...best." He was hesitant to even say the word! What if they were spotted? It would be bad enough for him to be caught at this stage, but if it were in pursuit of a young lady...Well, she wouldn't be able to show her face in polite society ever again!
...Then again, it wasn't as if she could anyway, but that wasn't the point!
"Allow me to first return this," He lifted his cup and moved as if to stand. Even at his full height Asa was inevitably petite compared to the fair lady at his side. Still, that didn't mean he had to carry himself as such. He may have been frazzled and exhausted, but this was such a common state for him that he simply hid it behind a smile.
He was mid-stride when his boot collided with a bag. Stumbling, he uttered a non-sensical guffaw before realizing they were his own luggage. You dolt! You haven't even gotten a room!
Still half bent over, Asa looked up with an absolutely embarrassed face and laughed a little awkwardly. This was...this was an absolute disaster, but hopefully she wouldn't think him less for it. "Forgive me, I should have gotten a room first, I just...I wasn't sure how long..." Forcing himself to take a deep inhale, Asa stood a little taller. "Would you mind telling me you...your...your room number. That way once I've gotten a room of my own I can come to see you and...avoid...some modicum of suspicion?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:12 pm
(3/10)
Already, Ygraine's eyebrows were raising, but... then he stopped. The look on his face was precious, but also looked painful - as if he wasn't sure how to conduct himself throughout an honest conversation, where he wasn't having to deduce ulterior motives or hidden statements. He was flushed so dark she worried he would hurt himself, but... ultimately he agreed. The realization that he WAS coming-- it lit her face up, her blue eyes glimmering with happiness, lips turning to a bright smile. Of course - then, he was suggesting he would return his tea cup, which in itself was precious - likely as soon as they moved along a bar maid would come sweep up the table after him. But - well, he clearly knew very little about bars or taverns, not really.
Honestly, Ygraine hadn't noticed his luggage either - not until the noble young lord quite literally tripped over his bags, making a noise so graceless and out of place that she might have laughed, if her concern over his health hadn't made her jolt forward, ready to catch him if he fell. Thankfully, he only stumbled - though any attempts at subtlety were lost. All eyes had already been on Asa, likely from the moment they entered - but now, with her by his side and him ready to follow her to her room, the instant assumption would be that they were conducting an illicit affair, and quite badly at that.
Instead of answering at first, Ygraine ducked down and plucked up his bags with an ease that was befitting her size, rather than her inborn strength. Only then did she smile at him again, almost placatingly. It was ... cute that he thought renting his own room would stop anyone here from thinking they were... ah. Together. And... honestly she didn't like the idea of wasting money when, soon enough, they wouldn't have the luxury of renting TWO rooms every time they stopped. But - it was the first night, and if that was what he needed she could allow him this. "Here - let me take these to the counter. Then, just ask the keeper to bring them up for you. And don't forget to give him a tip, after-- ah.. a few bronze pieces." He was a lordling, after all, and she didn't know if a 'tip' would be a normal amount, or if he would unthinkingly throw them a gold piece.
She gave him her room number, then dropped his bags at the counter, and turned with a wave of long, white curls as she climbed the stairs and ducked into her room to wait.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 1:13 pm
(4/10)
"Oh, please, you mustn't! They're far too...heavy..." Asa's hands reached out to flutter around her, feathers ruffled beyond compare. What sort of gentleman had a lady carry his bags? And yet, it wasn't as if she was particularly struggling with the load. If anything she seemed to tolerate it's weight far easier than he had which was...humbling, to say the least. Bringing his arms back to his chest, the young iceling tucked one around his thin ribcage and brought the other to his lips as a physical manifestation of his unease. She likely wouldn't let him take one from her even if he asked and yet, just following along behind her seemed so very wrong.
Once Ygraine had retreated to her room, Asa set about making lodging arrangements. Naturally there was no subtle way to ask for a room close to her own, so, he didn't. Instead he took whatever was available with the express intention of trying to make his way as quietly from room to room without being seen. Thankfully he'd been placed on the same floor, but on the opposite end, which might make his retreat all the more suspicious. And yet, what was he to do?
Ascending the well worn staircase to the guest rooms was tenuous. Asa did his best not to touch anything he didn't have to; instead allowing the staff to precede him in all aspects. Ygraine may have recommended giving out only a few bronze pieces, but Asa thought that to be a little cheap. The gnarled brute who hefted his luggage around had more than earned his keep. Besides, if a few extra coin could help him to get a warm bath...Well, then Asa was more than happy to pay.
He took a moment to compose himself before anxiously peeping out the door. Shedding his outer layers, Asa took a deep breath and made his way down the hall to Ygraine's chambers. When he got to her door he wasn't...quite sure how to proceed. Should he just open it? No, no definitely not. A knock, then. "Miss Ygraine? May I come in?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2020 1:10 pm
(4/10)
Ygraine, back in her room, busied herself in setting out the clothing she'd gotten for Asa, smoothing out the wrinkles nervously as she lowered herself to sit in the chair beside the window. Asa was... a contradiction in so many ways. Honestly, they knew so little about one another, really. He insisted on treating her like the demure ladies he was used to... which was annoying, to a point, but also insanely flattering. She could remember being a little girl, twirling in fur-lined dresses, pretending she was some noble lady. Asa only proved how little she knew about that world, and yet...
Even now, he treated her like a lady, despite her size, her bearing, and personality. She'd broken into his home, snuck into his room, and he still was coy about coming into hers with permission. He was so gentle and sweet, reminding her of a little bird - but that also made her wonder if she was going to lure him off to his death. For all she knew, he'd take ill a week into their journey and never recover... that he was even considering eloping with her-- or... escaping with her at all, was... a huge risk, to his life as well as his reputation.
Shaking herself, Ygraine perked up as soon as the quiet knock came. Her room was quite small - only a few strides took her from the window to the opposite side where she could pull the door open, holding it wide for Asa to come inside.
She'd opted for a small, cozy room - the window was thickly shuttered, the bed pushed into a corner and piled high with blankets. Bags were piled high on the foot of it, and-- of course, as previously mentioned, a pile of comfortable clothing was set on a worn table by the window.
"Hello." She greeted, breathlessly, smiling at him as she gazed at his face. Then - shaking herself, she turned back to the clothes and began spreading them out, stealing a sidelong glance at him. "I -- know you likely don't have clothes meant for travel, so I - took the liberty of fetching some. I don't know if they're your size but- I hope they will help, and if we're meant to be subtle it will help prevent you from standing out- I also have my mount in the stables! She won't carry bags so well, but she can carry you when you get tired...! If you are coming."
She paused here, finally turning back to him, her cheeks pink. "You... are coming, right? I haven't misread?"
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:25 pm
The diminutive size of the room made the meeting all the more risque. It was 'comfortable', very obviously lived in, and scarcely bigger than his wardrobe back ho- er, back at the estate. There were even grooves in the flooring made by untold pairs of feet shuffling across the planks over the years. He may have gone so far as to call the place shabby were he not on the run. Asa simply needed to realize this is what the real world looked like, and that his idea of 'comfortable' would change drastically from this point forward.
Still, would it have hurt the staff to mop?
Stepping up beside her, the young lord cocked his head to the side, curiously looking over the clothing. He'd known women like to dress in tighter outfits to accentuate their forms, but wasn't this a little smal- "Y-yes, you're right, I don't." Of course it wasn't for her! There was no way she would have been able to fit in those pants without every one of her curves being...vagrantly...displayed...
"Wha-what I meant to say is that while my clothing isn't necessarily meant for travel, I thought this was plain enough." Asa lifted one of his arms, looking at the subtle tunic. It was made from the finest cloth, perfectly tailored to fit his form and clearly showed no signs of practical use. In his eyes, however, it was plain if only because the only sign of embroidery was around the collar.
Still, there was no hiding his boots; those he'd had no choice in bringing along. They were as glamorous as the Sargsyan name itself. "I appreciate the effort, Miss Ygraine, that you've continued to take on my behalf. Hopefully the risks of taking me along won't outweigh the rewards." He took the new tunic in hand and smooth his thumb over the fabric, then turned his head to look up at her with a smile.
"If you don't mind, I would very much like to go with you. I know I'm not long for this world, but after speaking with you I've come to think that I'd like to enjoy what time I have left." Cheeks darkening, he took a steadying breath and really tried to present himself as 'a man' of men. "A-a-nd if it's agreeable, I would prefer to do it at your side. I just...I should excuse myself so I can return to my room and change."
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 11:56 pm
[5/10]
Ygraine bit the edge of her lower lip, trying not to smile with quiet, friendly amusement at his statement. That was fine- she'd known, going into this, that Asa was... cut of a different cloth. Still, he thought this outfit was inconspicuous? Still... when he accepted the gifts and looked up at her, smiling to prettily, her heart tugged and she found her cheeks flushing before she realized it.
... Of course- the reminder of his condition forced that feeling away. It was... a good thing to remember - she might be killing him even faster by having him do this. There was a chance that he would take ill any time, and ... it would be HER fault. But Ygraine pushed that thought away, and instead focused on what he WAS saying. His iceling skin had tinged darker at the cheeks, and... there was a slight tremor to his words, but - what he SAID-- it made her breath catch.
Was it... wrong for her to think that that meant something... romantic? Clearly-- perhaps he just wanted to spend his life with people who were marginally kind to him?
"N-not at all! I ... I hoped you would!" But... leave to change? She blinked, then waved it off, moving to sit on the edge of her bed. "Oh- I'd hate for you to have to come back and forth! I can go into the hall while you change! Actually- are you hungry? Would you like something to eat? If we leave in the morning, it might be the last warm meal we have until we get to Coeld. Hopefully we can meet up with my brother and he can check on you, and give us ideas for how to keep you healthy while we're on the road!"
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:00 pm
"I think that's a ....very smart idea." He wouldn't mention that he had no appetite; hadn't had one in several days, honestly. With the upcoming nuptials and this entire plan weighing heavy on his mind Asa just managed to pick at his food. If he tried to push it too far he might have gotten sick and that would be just as bad. "Could we have it sent up to the room? I can always duck behind the bed, to avoid suspicion, but I just don't think going back down into the main hall would be a good idea."
Still, the thought of hanging around longer was eating at him. He tried not to let it showed, but Asa's fingers were wringing in the fabric of his new tunic. "Miss Ygraine, I....I don't mean to sound ungrateful for everything you've done setting this up, but don't you think waiting that long to leave might be too long?" Asa couldn't help imagining the calm before the storm. "If I know my father like I think I do he won't come looking for me until the ceremony, but once the servants notice I'm not there he will turn the city upside in his search."
Feeling a little overwhelmed, he stepped forward to sit on the edge of her bed as well, doing his best to take deep, steadying breaths like the healers taught him. "On a separate note, however, I didn't come entirely unprepared. I've been training and learning all I could about spellcraft. So long as I have the right ingredients I can make all the same poultices and potions that I could at home. I still won't be much good if I have an attack, but it'll be enough to stabilize me until we can find a proper healer."
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:20 pm
[6/10]
A smart idea, but he seemed less than enthusiastic. Ygraine tilted her head at him in silent question, expecting him to not say anything else on the matter, but when he did she smiled brightly, pleased. However, even that didn't seem to still his nervous fingers, and for a long moment he was fidgeting. It was plenty of time for Ygraine to have concluded the conversation and ducked outside, but instead she lingered, silent and expectant.
And... sure enough, he began to speak again. Hesitantly, at first, but without faltering. Immediately, Ygraine thought back to that night a week ago, as Asa intelligently spoke and was immediately shut down by his father's curt, uncaring words. How he'd wilted under the cruel tone and dismissal of his thoughts and feelings.
He'd warned her, multiple times, that taking him with her was dangerous. And truly, he knew his father's rage better than she ever could. So, she stepped closer and reached, brashly, to take his gloved hands, squeezing them reassuringly. "I'll ask for food we can travel with. If you think it's best to leave sooner - now, even, then we should do so. Morrigan is well rested for the trip, so we should be ready to go! Does that sound better?"
'You see?' She thought, squeezing his hands just a bit tighter. 'I won't silence you, we'll be partners.'
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:31 pm
He felt guilty for even bringing it up, and yet, when she so abruptly took his hands he couldn't help the relief that settled over him. Around the general panic of touching her, that is. "The further we can get away from Zidel the better off we'll be." There was no point in talking about inconveniences or pressuring her into changing plans; put simply if they were caught she would punished far harsher than he. Asa dared not think of what his father might do if he found out it was her who had stolen him away. No amount of talking would get through to him at that point. The only thing keeping her safe at the moment was his lack of knowing Ygraine was involved, but if that were to change...
Asa squeezed her hands in return. "I'll get changed quickly while you retrieve our food and once you return I'll gather the rest of my things." Surely his father wouldn't think to search Coeld first? He would scour Zidel first and then branch out, but somewhere as small as that would be off his map, at least for a time.
"...I think I should burn these." Looking down at his clothing, so beautifully embroidered and perfectly tailored, Asa couldn't help grimacing. "Even if we were to sell them I'm afraid it would only give him clues."
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:54 pm
[7/10]
Well, it was a plan at least. And honestly, Ygraine was so energetic with nerves that it was doubtful she would have been able to sleep in the first place.
Still... burn them? Ygraine ducked her eyes to the clothes, hesitating. Like him, it seemed a waste to her to destroy these things. ...And-- hadn't the men outside the tavern earlier been considering selling his things? Her head tilted so she could look at his boots, thinking. But... "... Considering where we are, maybe we could leave them in the hall? I expect someone will steal them and sell them and hopefully throw your father off our trail for a time. Perhaps they will think you were mugged or attacked." She laughed, a bit bitterly, at that, finally pulling her hands away from him. "They're your clothes, I leave that for you to decide. I'll be back soon."
She left them, descending down the stairs.
Of course...his paranoia about their escape now made HER nervous too. She'd made friends here, in the past week, but she also knew enough about to people to know any of them would sell her out for a pocketful of coins. Asa changing into road clothes made it clear he was leaving, and if they left together it would paint her as a target. ... Then again, she'd already done so by approaching him earlier. Their best bet, she thought, was to suggest that they were unimpressed with the tavern and had gone somewhere else for the night.
She got food (just one serving, she had eaten earlier in the night, and hopefully the innkeeper wouldn't realize she was bringing food for Asa), then returned upstairs, knocking once on the door, and waiting until he called her inside to go back in.
The food was homely, but good - delicious fowl, if a bit overcooked and dry, with roasted vegetables and a generous chunk of bread. Not as portable as she'd hoped, but hopefully he could eat quickly.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 7:33 pm
"I...hadn't actually thought of that." Honestly, it made perfect sense. So long as the vagrants who pilfered the offered goods made a flashy show of it his father would simply think he'd been robbed. With any luck the man may also believe he his body was stashed away somewhere and leave it at that.
It certainly gave Asa something to contemplate while she was gone. He striped down to his skivvies and donned his new wardrobe with a fair bit of apprehension. The material was far stiffer than anything he'd worn thus far with far less give; not that he needed it. Asa had to cinch the waist tight just to make sure the trousers wouldn't slip off his narrow hips. The tunic wasn't nearly as large, but he did think a bit of tacking was in order, just to alter the fit. She'd accounted for the width of his shoulders, but the near waiflike quality of his torso made the whole thing feel a little like a woman's night shift. When we find a place to properly rest I can alter it. He'd never been so glad for his embroidery skills as he was at that moment!
When he was good and dressed Asa went about figuring out just what to DO with his clothes. Should he just leave them, bit by bit, around the inn? Pondering on it the iceling decided to do just that. He was in the process of shoving his boots underneath the bed when she knocked and half-under the frame as he was Asa was in no position to stand when he called for her to enter.
He sat back on his haunches with a clever little smile and brushed dirty fingers off on his new pants...then immediately frowned at the stains. "If they want them they'll have to work for it." Seeing the food prompted him to stand up fully and thankfully the belt held up this time! He'd tried as much earlier and was positively aghast when he was shucked just trying to pick up a sock from the floor!
"What do you have there? It smells...hearty." .
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