Evan's eyes, more of a deep ocean blue, landed on Runaan, and he was shocked. Here, was a stranger. He liked strangers. He got up, and was encouraged to go talk to a woman, but his royal strides landed him in front of Runaan, where he bowed. "Well hello there newcomer. I say, I've never seen a face quite like yours before. What brings you to our royal ball, and our beautiful kingdom?" He smiled widely. His movements seemed stiff and natural simultaneously as his eyes met yours, and they shone.
Runaan smiled and talked with guests, his eyes bright with fake happiness and joy. He needed to get out of here- he startles a little bit when the Prince of all people decides to greet him. Runaan bowed politely in return, mentally cursing himself for getting seen. "That's very kind of you, sire. I've just come to enjoy the party. Your kingdom is quite astonishing. I must admit that I'm very impressed." He smiles sweetly, his gaze never faltering from Evans.
"Mm indeed." He smiled softly. "Always kind. Tis my duty after all." His eyes watched yours, reading you from the inside out. His smile faltered when a woman, a very beautiful one, with brown hair and clad in purple, tapped on his shoulder. He sighed, and asked her to dance, as he glanced at you before leading you away. The look in his eyes was of pain. He didn't want to be here.
(I hope you don't mind, but you kinda flips me out)
He nods and smiles a little bit in reply. He put on his mask, hiding who he was as he felt Evans eyes on him. He straightened before placing a hand on his hip. He bows politely to the woman in purple, holding her gaze for a moment before smiling at Evan. He wondered faintly about the pain in his eyes. But he said nothing, setting his champagne onto a table.
(Sorry it's due to my ADHD and Aspergers. If you want me to stop then it's fine) Evan's smile reduced to a straight grimacing line. He obviously didn't want to be dancing with her as he made polite conversation with her, before sending her off and bowing to other gentleman. But Runaan stuck in his mind. Those eyes, like galaxies, captivated him.
(It's okay! Just grammar things. I grew up with an English major mother.)
Runaan inhaled sharply. He needed to get out of here. He snuck out of the ballroom and into the halls. He knew the time was ticking for his little brother. He got worse by the day. And Runaan was fearful he may loose him at some point. His breathing was shaky, unsteady. He couldn't get Evan out of his head. He groaned quietly, shutting his eyes for a moment and breathing. He needed to find his target and get out.
Evan after a while got lectured by his parents as to how rude he was treating the women here, yet again reminding him why he was here, as if he needed it. He sighed as he just sat down back on the throne, and surveyed the room, wanting to find Runaan. Strangers knew things, it was like magic. Like how to get out of situations like this. But since he couldn't find him, he went back to trying to act. For a man who liked theatrical arts and performing them, he sure was bad at masking his true emotions.
Runaan hurried through the halls, making sure to avoid guards. He made it to the treasury and gave a small sigh in relief. He hid in the shadows when he heard people, letting them pass. He sneaks into the unguarded room - he had payed the guards early on- and snuck into the room. His breath hitched in amazement before he shook himself out of it and grabbed the object that was his target. A necklace with a large diamond and encased in gold. But as he hurries out, he slammed into a guard. The necklace flew into the air. His back hit the wall before he was up again, grabbing the gold and sprinting towards the exit.
(Should he get caught?)
(YES) Evan finally gave up and walked out, angry as hell as he stomped off. "Fuck this bullshit." He grumbled as he walked with his head down, before slamming into you. At first when he saw you, he was happy. But when he saw the necklace, his face fell. "That is my mothers necklace, how dare you steal it! THIEF!" He grabs your arm and marches off, snatching the necklace from your other hand. Now you see, Crystal and her husband had 16 adoptive children. So who knew what he meant by mother.
His eyes widen as he runs into Evan. "Wait- Please!" He tries wrenching out of the Princes grasps but the guards had made it to them, grabbing his arms harshly. "Please! I need it. I need that necklace. My brother-" He yelps as he's forced to his knees. "Please. Pri- King Evan-" He chokes out, his eyes teary. "Please… I was promised good money. Money I need for my brother-" He cries out as the handle of a sword hits the back his shoulder.
"Wait. Stop." He puts his arms out. "Guards be off, I will be take care of him. And I'm still prince Evan to you, dirty handsome scoundrel." He grabbed your arm, stood you up, and stomped off, until eventually the two were away from all the guards, and alone. He then sat him down, and sat cross legged on the ground in front of him. "So then. Explain WHY are you stealing this necklace?"
The guards nod and leave, and Runaan held onto his shoulder, hissing a little in pain. He followed off, having no choice but to follow. He stares at the prince for a moment, his eyes wide with surprise. He clears his throat before looking at Evan. "I need the money. My little brother… He's in a state… And I don't have any money to help him." He ran a hand through his hair.
"What does he need help with?" He asked, eyeing him carefully. He noticed Runaan's pain, and reached over, feeling his shoulder. "The guards are always far to rough. We'll have to get you a medic." He sighed and sat next to him, feeling along his arm.
"He's sick…" He replies quietly, keeping a steady eye on the prince. He startled a little at the touch, not used to being handled gently. "No… Its fine. I've had worse." He says quietly, his eyes following the princes movements.
He shook his head, and stood up. "Come. I'll just get you the money so you don't have to keep getting yourself hurt." He held out his hand, a concerned look on his face. "Besides, promises are just words. The other man may be cheating you out, you never know. And then that's just time wasted."
Runaan stared at the Prince for a moment. "As in… You'll give me the money… I'd have to refused charity, sir." He says quietly. He didn't want to be a charity case. He took the others hand and hauled himself up.
"And why is that? I won't tell anyone. You can be on your way, and get your brother better. The sooner the better. I'd do the same for my sister if she were terribly ill." He shrugged. "It's either I give you my money and send you on your way, or I send you off to the guards."
He gazes at the prince. "There must be something I can do in return for the money." He says quietly, his eyes never leaving Evan's. He wanted to take the money. But he was being offered who knows how much. He ran a hand through his hair, a small sigh leaving his lips.
"Hmmm…well you are quite handsome. Stay a week with me at the castle, with your brother, as soon as he is healed. Or even before then, when he's able to come. Me and my…wife." He said wife with disgust, and shuddered a bit.
He nods. "As you wish…" He says quietly, his eyes becoming confused as the other said with with such bitterness the room could have iced over. "Is there something wrong, sir?" He asks curiously.
"I…" He cleared his throat, and looked around. "I guess I can trust you with this. I do not like women. As in, I am not attracted to them romantically what so ever. And to think I have to fake loving one for the rest of my life…" He sighed, shaking his head. "But such is the ways of the nation. If if I were to marry a man? Who knows how the people would torture and kill me."
Runaan gazed at the Prince for a moment. "I suppose I could say that I agree with you, and that your secret is safe with me." He says, bowing his head a little before straightening. He smiled at the other before clearing his throat. "Thank you, Prince. For not having me arrested."
"Please, call me Evan. And do you mind me asking what your name is, Stranger?" He turned around and put some hand cuffs on Runaan. "I'm going to take them off, this is just so the guards don't get suspicious." He winked and walked off towards the Treasury.
"Alright… Evan." He mutters softly, his eyes curious. "My name is Runaan." He says quietly, starting a little when the cuffs were placed on him before nodding at Prince Evan's explanation. He follows after Evan quietly, almost like a shadow.
"Runaan huh? A rare and interesting name. I like it." He said, talking out of the corner of his mouth. "Sounds like a rare type of gem, or some type of drink." He turned a corner, sighing as he looked through a pair of doors, looking at the party. He glared and briskly walked away, doubling his speed.
