The Prince and the Outlaw(Private for Sultan)

[Hopes~Wings]

Rowan was hunkered low in the bushes, gazing out with wide eyes. She was in awe of the place. It was simply, far simpler than the forest, but it had its own kind of beauty. She had never seen buildings up close before, and she was fansitated with them. However, she didn't dare to move from the bushes she hid in. That was being too bold.

"It's beautiful Tadeas. I never knew a place like this could be real," she whispered to him. She shifted over so she was closer to him. "Father always said the village was horrible, but I can't see how this place could be like that. I don't see how any place can be as bad as he's made it sound."

(How do you want them to get caught?)

[sultan]

(it's been ages..time to reply, lol. and i'm not sure..maybe someone rats them out from a market stall? or something more dramatic if u want hehe)

it's beautiful, tadeas. i never knew a place like this could be real,

tadeas felt himself surge with pride. he was on the verge of replying with something cheesy, but instead kept mum and settled himself with a tighter grip on rowan's hand. he was glad that the admiration could finally go both ways (for the forest and the village, of course).

"it is, isn't it?" he glanced around the bustling main quarter and grinned. "c'mon. let's get to the good stuff."

he began to pull her over to one of the stalls. "have you ever eaten stuff like this before?" he asked, waving to the owner, then gesturing to the lavish array of pastries with his free hand.

[Hopes~Wings]

(I like someone ratting them out or maybe a guard spotting them.)

"Tadeas!" Rowan hissed whispered. She suddenly looked like a scared deer, wide-eyed and fully alert. She forced a nervous smile to the stall owner. "I shouldn't be in the open like this," she whispered to Tadeas as soon as she was sure the owner could not hear. She glanced about for a moment before leaning closer to him.

"The guards, and most of the villagers, know about me and if not me my father. It's too dangerous for me to be out in the open like this. I have a bounty on my head," Rowan explained in a rush. She looked ready to bolt at any moment. She didn't say it out loud, but she also knew her father was going to kill her if he found out she was here, in the middle of town, in the open.

[sultan]

tadeas felt a twinge of guilt at her words. maybe this wasn't such a good idea. "rowan, i.."

at that moment, he spotted a few guards embark on their morning patrol. before he could be recognized, he whisked rowan away.

"well, we don't need to worry about that now, right?" of course they needed to worry about it now. god he was an idiot! "we're already here, and.." he paused, searching for something to say. "we'll make the most of it." tadeas gave her a smile. then dug around in his pocket for a pastry he took from the stall they just visited. "don't worry. i paid for it."

rowan's concerns were valid, though, so he needed to think of something quickly. "hey! i know someone in town who has great ..dresses. maybe we could disguise you?"

(this reply was horrible and long overdue but i logged in and felt bad that i abandoned this thread..)

[Hopes~Wings]

(The reply was fine. I'm glad to see you back)

Rowan stared at him in silence for a moment. Then she shook her head. "I'm not wearing a dress. Besides, I don't have the money to pay for it, and you will look strange buying a dress. Let's just..." she sighed, not sure what they could do. She bit her lip as she glanced around once more. "Tadeas, I think I should just go back to the forest. It's too dangerous for us to be here."

Rowan suddenly gasped. A group of guards was heading their way, and there was nowhere for them to run. She looked at Tadeas, panic in her eyes. "Do something," she hissed.

[sultan]

"no, by dresses i mean.." tadeas sighed, running his free hand through his hair. "fine. i'm not getting you a dress. but follow me. stay here for a little longer, okay?" he looked into her eyes and pleaded. "just trust me. i'll get you out of here in no time. let's just..have a little fun first, okay?"

he bolted towards the alleyway, waiting for the pack of guards to pass. after he was sure they were out of sight, he dragged rowan inside the dress shop.

"hello ms. dickens! remember that time i saved your cat from a tree and helped you pick every single berry from your father's garden?"

ms. dickens surveyed the pair quizzically. "what do you need, tadeas?"

"a disguise. for the both of us." he said, trying to not let desperation lace his tone.

ms. dickens paused before relenting. "fine. give me a second."

after a while, she presented them with two large hats, suits, and long boots. "if this doesn't disguise you both, nothing will."

[Hopes~Wings]

I've been out of town. Sorry for the late reply!

Rowan was clearly on edge. She kept glancing around, unable to relax. The smallest sounds made her jump. Once they were in the shop, she sat down and did not move. She glanced around, not sure about anything going on around her.

When Ms. Dickens returned with the 'disguises', Rowan wrinkled her nose. "Do you know how bad I would be teased for wearing something like that? I'll look silly Tadeas!" She suddenly crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "I don't think it'll work."

[sultan]

/hey it's been a while, i hope you've been doing well!

of course it'll work! trust me, i've done this before. it wasn't a total lie. and there's no one to tease you here, he stifled a giggle. except me of course.

tadeas put the stuff on, tripping a few times in his haste. wait. one last thing. he dipped his finger in some ink and painted a large moustache on himself and (attempted to) on rowan.

perfect! he grabbed her wrist and waved goodbye to ms. dickens. we won't get caught, i promise. plus..i need to pay you back, right?

for more times than i care to admit.

it'll be worth your time.

[Hopes~Wings]

//I'm doing good. How about you?

Rowan had not been please about any of it. She had quickly wiped the ink away before it had a chance to dry. "Try putting that stuff of me again," she warned, "and I will break your nose." Part of her aggression came from her fear. She was terrified. She knew she should not be here. She belong in the forest, and if her father found out...

"I really should be getting back," she hissed softly to Tadeas. "Do you have any idea how much trouble we can get into?"

[sultan]

/i'm alright! how's quarantining going for you?

tadeas rolled his eyes. "ugh, fiiine. he bit his lip to keep from grinning.

Do you have any idea how much trouble we can get into?

he guessed he did. or didn't. he had faced her dad only once before, and the experience hadn't been a pleasant one. so yeah, he didn't know what would happen if they got caught, and he didn't want to.

yeah, but-
ehem. a large, armor-clad hand rested on his shoulder.
shit.

tadeas whipped around. i swear, i can-

move out of my way, boy. the two large men pushed him aside and went on their way.

wait. wait. they pushed him.. they didn't recognize him!

rowan. rowan! they didn't see me! well, they did, but they didn't! this is perfect!