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Art by: Andrei Pervukhin
For Abrielle (Hammy) and Roki (Garu)
​

The town of Eyredale was close enough to Astenvale Monastery that trips to the little coastal settlement happened not infrequently. Most assigned to the trip considered it a nice break from their usual duties. The town was a quiet place, with the comforts of civilization oft missed in the wylds. In town, the party of Knights and their squires would trade for supplies in the markets, make visits to the scholars and artisans they knew, and hear the constable's report on the condition of the blight in the area.

Two squires of Anathaeum had been given such a task. They had just started on their way to the markets, early morning light washing the white plaster buildings in warmth.

Suddenly, a young boy came running down the street. He bumped into one of the squires, pressed a heavy bundle into their arms, and disappeared down an alleyway. More footsteps could be heard from the same direction the boy had come from - these ones heavier, and accompanied by the clank of armor.

"There they are!" Yelled someone. "Stop, you thieves!"
 
Roki looked down at the bundle laden in his arms. Blinked, looked back up at Abrielle. Blinked again. His mouth slack-jawed as a question hung on his tongue.

Then the guards came shouting. Roki's eyes went wider.

"We gotta go!" he warned, tucked the parcel and grabbed for Abrielle's wrist before he made a break for it down the alleyway.
 
Abrielle's expression mirrored Roki's own. What the hell had just happened?! There was a kid and a bundle of some sort? And-

She was pulled from her thoughts as Roki took hold of her wrist and started running with the sound of the guards shouting behind them. A surprised squeak escaped her, their feet pounding the stones beneath them as she struggled to keep up. "H-Hey! Why are we running? We didn't do anything! Couldn't we just give whatever it is back and tell them that it's all a big misunderstanding?!"

Why oh why did I have to be paired with another Squire? Abrielle lamented as the pair wove between the marketplace stalls. At least if she had been paired with a Knight they would have some authority and would be taken seriously. But no, she just had to be partnered with this Knight wannabe. Still, could be worse. If it really came down to it, Roki was big enough to hide behind.
 
"I don't know!" Roki cried out. "I don't know!" He called back again. "I don't know!" he could hardly keep the panic out of his voice between hard breaths.

The street kid hopped over some crates just ahead of them with a nimbleness that came with familiarity. Roki didn't know shit about this place other than now, he was wanted for a crime he didn't commit!

"Hang on!" he cried out, threw his head back as he sucked in a double-lung-full of breath, snapped forward with a step and a puff so big a whirlwind gust out beneath them, carried them over the crates to land on the other side with a hard thump, scrabble and roll across the cobbles and stones.

Roki groaned, a bit dazed on the floor.
 
Abrielle squeezed her eyes tightly shut as they flew over the crates and rolled as they hit the ground. Was it over? Abrielle's eyes fluttered open as she strained her ears to listen over the murmurs of the confused bystanders. No sounds of clanking armor, so they were safe, at least for the moment. Her attention soon was drawn away by something else. Whatever she was lying on was moving, rising and falling rhythmically. Why was it moving?!

Lifting her head, Abriele found she was lying on Roki, one hand gripping his shoulder. Huh. She never would have guessed that he would be so comfortable. He was actually pretty handsome up close too, even if he looked nothing like the men she had read about in all those romance stories. Maybe he- Wait! Abrielle leapt up her face beet red. She looked around frantically to see if anybody had noticed their, in her mind, scandalous position.

"What?! You-! I-" Abrielle stammered, pointing a shaking finger at her companion. After a bit of panic, she took a deep breath and composed herself with a small hmph! "I hope you aren't expecting thanks," she tucked her copper hair behind one ear and crossed her arms, scowling down at Roki. "Nobody asked you to cushion my fall like that!"

Despite her harsh words, Roki had bought them a smidgen of time, and saved her from any serious injury. With a loud, dramatic sigh, Abrielle offered her hand to Roki. "Don't misunderstand," she spat, ears still burning. "It's not like I want to help you up or anything. It's just that you're embarrassing me lying on the ground like that!"
 
There was a weight on him. Heavy, and grounding. It moved, and pinned him down by the shoulder as his eyes came into focus after the knock. Coppery red, and verdant greens there on a familiar face to greet him.

A heat crept up his neck, cheeks and nose as they seemed caught in that moment.

"Abri-" the syllables fell warm from his mouth. But she popped up and off quick as a mouse. He couldn't help but laugh as she stammered. Let his head fall back on the alley floor a moment.

What just happened?

Abrielle was mad. That much was clear. And, he turned to feel the bundle he had tucked under his arm, he had a mysterious bundle.

*"I hope you aren't expecting thanks,"*

Roki laughed a little at that. Grinned, mischievous like. And lingered in the warm fuzzy-tingles of it all.

*"Nobody asked you to cushion my fall like that.*

"Cushion," he said absentmindedly. Head still a swim from the knock. Heard the shuffle of feet and the sigh. He looked up, and saw her hand offered. He took it up, with a pull that brought them close enough to bump. He laughed. Her hand still in his for that small moment of new closeness. "Thanks," he said easy, tusks poked out in his big smile.

He let go of her hand and turned toward the other end of the alley. Adjusted the bundle under his arm. No end in sight, save the distant wall of a building, and the sunlight painted there that promised an opening to the street.

"They went this way!" The guards called from the other side of the crates. Roki gasped, and looked back to Abri. Motioned she follow on, and he ran down the way, towards the sunlight.
 
Abrielle's heart pounded wildly in her chest with Roki taking her hand once again. He gently bumped into her, but she barely noticed. Her thoughts were entirely occupied with the handsome Squire with her. *Thanks* "Huh?" Abrielle blinked as the world faded back in around her. "Oh. Y-You're welcome..." She shook off any remaining indecent thoughts as he released her. Stupid handsome Roki! she huffed quietly.

*They went this way!* Abrielle's face went from bright red to a pale ghostly white in an instant. "SHIT!" She was hot on Roki's heels sprinting down the street. This was all that damned kid's fault! If he hadn't stolen that bundle, she wouldn't be in this mess! Why was the bundle so bloody important anyway? Shouldn't the guards be more concerned with catching the real offender?

Abrielle skid to a halt as the pair burst out onto the street. Running was keeping the guards at bay, but it wouldn't for long. They need something, anything, to get them off their scent for good. Her gaze swept down the street. A blacksmith... Smattering of food stalls...A tavern with a busted door... A tailor. with all manner of finery on display in the windows... Wait! That was it! "This way!" Abri grabbed Roki's hand and started pulling him towards the tailor's.
 
A yelp left his lips in a yip as she yanked him towards their new destination.

The door flung open and in they went, as the bell above the entrance tinga-ling-ringed its bright welcome.

"Welcome to Rosemallow's" a tired voice said from behind the counter. "Petal or thorn, whatever is worn, Rosemallow's will mend it just right," they went on without looking up. They being a young woman with what looked like a permanent slant to her mouth. Halfway between pout and frown, her eyes were glued to a paper pamphlet, with all the latest fashion trends. Her pages currently open to an Imperial Mode of the times. "Feel free to look around," she flipped the page. The paper all rustle and snap before it laid back down.

Roki was panting. Still wide eyed, with a sheen of sweat brimming about his brow. He closed his mouth and smiled at the young woman as he nod. "R-right, thanks, miss! We'll just, have ourselves a look then," he laughed.

The young lady might have said something. But odds were against it.

Outside, the distant commotion of the guards on their hunt could be heard rippling over the crowd.

Roki's eyes found a sizeable field of manekins, all dolled up in fine dresses and suits. Flicked towards it with tilt of his nose, and pulled Abrielle into the maze of cloth, bone buttons, and pin needles.
 
Abrielle barely spared the woman behind the counter a glance when the pair rushed by. The shouting of the guards faded to a low muffled rumble upon passing the counter. She looked around wildly, searching for any place to hide or anything that could help.

This was all too much! Abrielle was sweating, and her heart was pumping madly in her chest. She felt as though they were rabbits being chased by starving, angry wolves. Which she supposed they kind of were. But still! She hadn't done anything wrong. Abri fancied herself an honest, upstanding and lawful woman. One who just happened to love picking fights and playing nasty pranks.

Never before had she ever done anything to run awry of the law. Even her most heinous pranks had only garnered her nothing more than a few extra chores, or a stern talking to from the Captain. She still felt that if they could just explain what had happened, then they could be forgiven. But she doubted that the guards would be willing to listen.

Abri shooed these thoughts away as they entered the mass of mannequins. Robes, suits, wedding dresses, and many others flashed by on their journey to the back. She paused for a moment before pulling free of Roki and pushing through the mannequins. "Quick! Find something to change into!" she barked at her companion. After a brief search, Abrielle found a flowy dress accompanied by a floppy sun hat. "Found something!" Abrielle called, beginning to unfasten the buttons of her shirt. She stopped, one button halfway undone and faced Roki's general direction. "And you better not even think of peeking!"
 
There was hardly time to think. Amidst the forest of velvet, leathers, cottons and suede.

Quick! Find something to change into!

His eyes looked around, lungs pulling for air, mouth dry, he grabbed for something that looked like he could slip into. A nice cotton shirt, a finely patterned vest. He had already snatched them up into his hands and laid them against his arm as he turned to find some pants and caught a glimps of Abrielle, a button undone that had the lines of her shirt lead his eyes straight -

And you better not even think of peeking!

"No no!" he turned about quick in a gasp, all the air about him the hotter for it. A nervous titter in his voice. "Of course not, I, I mean, you are very cute and all, but I am a squire!" Golden eyes wide, cheeks warm as he thought of what little he had seen played again in his imagination. Remembered what he had felt when she had landed atop of him. His breath fell hot from his nose.

He shook his head. "A gentleman," he harsh-whispered to himself as he worked the buttons off from his own liripipe. Slipped it off quick.

He curled his spine, and stretched his tunic over his wide shoulders. His big head snagged through the hole, so he pulled and pulled, stuck in the tunnel of his garment, with most of him bared to see, until it finally came free.

He threw it onto the ground and with a triumphant thunk. Grinned wide and tusky, as if he'd just defeated a foe.

The doorbell chimed clear through the shop once more.

"Shit," he hardly whispered. Slipped on his new shirt, and then his vest. Looked to Abri as he worked his last buttons up.
 
Abrielle's emerald eyes narrowed suspiciously, catching just a glimpse of Roki's red face as he spun away. Had he seen anything? Surely he couldn't have, right? She looked down as she undid another button, her eyes following the V her shirt had created until- Abri's face reddened, though whether it was from anger or embarrassment she wasn't sure. Stupid, pervy Roki!

Of course not, I, I mean, you are very cute and all, but I am a squire!

Cute? CUTE?! Of all the words he could have chosen, that's the one he went with after what he had most likely seen? And trying to compliment her wasn't going to save his sorry ass. There was going to be hell to pay once this fiasco was over!

She finished with her top, tossing the garment onto the head of the mannequin next to her. Abrielle continued undressing, stealing glances of her own at Roki and quietly giggling to herself as he struggled. Stripped down to her undergarments, she lifted the dress up off the mannequin and down over her head.

Abri twisted this way and that, trying to get a good look at herself. The dress was a touch too long, and the front revealed more than she would normally be comfortable with, but all in all, it was quite a nice piece of work. She could feel eyes on her, turning once more to plop the hat onto her head and catch Roki looking at her.

"What?" she growled. "Never-" The bell chimed, followed by a pair of guards entering the shop. "Damn it all!" Abrielle hopped towards Roki, pulling her boots back on. "C'mon!" She grabbed Roki's hand and pulled him towards the back door. Dropping her small coinpurse on the nearest sewing table, Abrielle kicked the door open. "Let's go!" With any luck, they could blend into the crowds and pass as just another young couple.
 
She grabbed him by the hand and pulled him out the shop. All quick step and rush as he finished putting on the last button of his vest.

Come the thunk of the coins, Roki gawked over his shoulder, as they hurried out the back, Abri's big floppy hat all bounce and wiggle about his golden eyed horror.

Out in the sun, as they hurried into the crowd, he fell into some semblance of act. He rather liked performing, would often volunteer to put on a show when the festivals came near Astenvale, or help the traveling troupes they would happen across on their adventures. And should anyone ask, he would have them know, he had picked up the assignment rather quick, despite the grumpy glares, and short gasps of disbelief.

Calm, collected, just another afternoon on the town as he eased into his steps.

A turn of the wrist, fingers cupped like the head of a snake that wrapped about the branch of her arm, spread into her palm and took hold, as a young couple might.

"That dress suits you," he said simple as they walked easy. Almost a glide across the cobble stones they so clumlsy ran across not moments ago. "The flowers help bring out the rose in your hair, and the green of your eyes," he leaned across and brushed a little bit of something that clung there by her nape. "Softens those hard edges of yours, I like so well," he said with an actor's most convincing wink.
 
 That dress suits you. The flowers help bring out the rose in your hair, and the green of your eyes. Softens those hard edges of yours, I like so well

That bastard! What did Roki think he was trying to pull?! Just because the other young women at the monastery swooned over him, didnt mean she was going to!

"Sh-Shut up!" Abrielle stammered, trying in vain to pretend she wasn't blushing like a schoolgirl. "I'm not wearing this for you, you know! I-I just thought it looked cute!" She unconsciously arched her back in delight as his hand brushed across her neck.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing, huh?" Abri hissed. But her actions betrayed her words as she glued herself to Roki's side and hugged his arm. "Don't take this to mean I like you or anything," Abri warned looking up with a hint of a smile.

Abri's stomach suddenly growled, and she decided that if they were going to act like a couple than she might as well milk it a little bit. "Darling," Abrielle looked to Roki with a warm smile. "I'm famished. I remember seeing a cute little bakery down the way. Can we stop by?"
 
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He wore his smile as easy as a leaf caught the sun. His golden eyes watched with a warm care as she tried to reject his affections.

The blush was a real nice touch. Had his smile show a hint more tusk as he wondered. How did she get into the mindset to turn so petal pink? He would have to ask. Might come in handy the next time he play a part come the festivals.

She grabbed up his arm and fell into step beside him.

A sound caught in his throat. Surprise? Protest? Half a laugh too pleased by the warm tangle and press. "Just making sure I get the best look at ya," he said as they strolled in step. "And I would never dream of such a thing," he teased along as she smiled up at him. He even mocked a little bow between their steps. "Would make our whole affair all the more dull, don't you think?" He said sing song. "Imagine, the long walks we'd take, hand in hand, just like this," he said with a squeeze of her hand. "The breathless pauses we'd share as we get lost in each other's eyes," and he craned his head just so as he stared into her own verdant gaze a moment, long and tender with a sweet ache for something more. Popped right back up with a grin. "It would be absolutely dreadful!" He half laughed and carried on.

He looked ahead, and found himself thinking on the heft there in the way her smaller frame pressed against his side. Some part of him noted that she was solid as a wagon wheel, while another remembered those times they'd spent in the training yard, or laboring around the monestary.

Abri rarely seemed a slouch. Honest and hard working. While he was, well, rarely anything but. Doing what he could to find the right place to stand, just so out of the way that he might catch a chance to slink away, or just watch the others go on some moments whilst he pondered. The way her curves hid there in those moments of pause and rest. Usually so set to their work, or active in the mischief they'd get up to. His own face felt the warmer, then as they strolled arm in arm.

Darling,

"Yes dear?" He popped out of his little day dream, and back to their day of pretend.

I'm famished...can we stop by?

A nod. "Of course," he said, and slipped down a side street, info the cool shade of some alleyway shops.
 
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