forum I won't go quietly, I'm bringin' my crown // oxo // closed

Started June 06, 2019 by @croccin-champagne

tune

Dorian stuck close to the assassin, but not too close as he noticed the way she liked personal space. He kept his head down, not wanting to get noticed by anyone.

Five minutes and a few sudden detours had them standing in a shop, that was attached to a blackmsith. It looked almost like somebody had just knocked out a wall between two attached shops, allowing two different rooms to become one large room.

"Caleb! I need a sword or somethin'!" Ally shouted to be heard over the clanging of metal from the blacksmith, the sound pausing for a moment as the large man with a hammer in hand looked over, waving to Ally before pointing to the door behind the counter made up of glass cases full of various weapons. A minute later, a young man about her age bounded out, grinning.

"Did I hear you needed a sword, Ghost? Didn't take you for the sword type!"

“Actually it’s for me,” Dorian rubbed the back of his neck before raising a hand and smiling sheepishly, “Hi.. I’m Dorian.”

"No way. What-" Caleb's words cut off at the look Ally sent him, and he raised his hands in a submissive gesture, before motioning to the case. "Er-Dorian, you're welcome to take a look at these. We've got more along the walls and in the other cases, too. Anything you're looking for specifically? Length, style, metal, anything?"

Dorian slipped his hands into his pockets, "Preferably a long sword. Something light weight and easy to use. Doesn't have to be fancy, as long as it's sharp and I can use it, that's what matters."

"You're looking over here then." Caleb slipped out from behind the counter, his gait odd as he walked over to a collection of longswords on a wall. The reason for this, was the metal prosthetic leg visible below the hem of the leg of his shorts. "Lotta longswords, take your pick, or let me know if none of them are quite right. I think Mulligan's even making one right now."

Dorian nodded, making sure not to stare at Caleb leg in fear of making him uncomfortable. There were a lot of long swords but one caught his eye. It looked to be made of a light sort of steel with a black and silver handle. He picked it up, testing the weight and smirking just a little.

Ally, who had immediately veered off to look over a selection of daggers and knives, took a moment to watch Dorian. With an eyebrow arched slightly at the smirk on his lips, she shook her head, going back to looking at the knives. "That one?"

Dorian nodded almost immediately, the smirk growing even more, "Definitely."

Ally huffed a small puff of air, the sound almost replicating a laugh. She dug around her pockets, this time not pulling out money, but a peculiar looking dagger that sent off sparks when she set it on the counter top. That smirk looks like something to watch out for.

Caleb's eyes lit up at the sight of it, but he didn't reach for it, instead slipping away to find a sheath for the sword. "That's a good one you grabbed there! Mulligan put a lot of work into making sure that one was weirdly light, for quicker movement."

Dorian hummed in agreement, "I think it's the lightest sword I've ever tried," He grinned, "It really is some amazing craftsmanship."

"Don't tell him that, or his head'll get big." Caleb said solemnly, setting a sheath and sword belt on the counter. He reached for the dagger, drawing his hand back warily as it sparked, still grinning. "You two off to go start some trouble?"

Dorian smirked again, "You could say that. There's some business we need to attend to, that's all."

Ally snorted, drawing her gaze from Dorian once more to look at Caleb, filing away her slight wariness at that smirk for a bit. "And that business involves causing trouble. You know how it is."

"Don't I. You've been causing trouble since I first met you." Caleb shook his head with a laugh, looking over at Dorian. "She was breaking into some merchant's house to steal his dog. Of all the things she could have stolen."

Dorian snorted, walking over to Caleb so he could put the sword in the sheath, “A dog? I mean I might’ve done the same thing if it was being treated unfairly.”

"Tha's exactly why I did." Ally said, moving out of the way and leaning against the counter. Her hands moved like she was signing, the sentences cutting off randomly and shifting to completely different thoughts. She was muttering, with her hands.

"Zee appreciates it." Caleb said, his grin dimming slightly at the more serious topic. "You should stop by and see her some time." He looked at Dorian, motioning to Ally. "And that's how we met. She dropped the dog in my arms while I was running errands. Mulligan wasn't too happy about me coming home with a dog and the Ghost in tow when I was supposed to be getting groceries, but he's warmed up to both of them."

The prince nodded a little, picking up the sword belt and putting it on, adjusting it when he needed to make sure it was comfortable for himself, "Well at least he's warmed up to them. I know my mother wasn't too happy with keeping my dog in the ca- house but she loves him…" He trailed off, wondering if soon he'd have to change to talking about his family in past tense.

"Isn't it funny? The people that are the least into getting a pet always end up loving them." Caleb shook his head with a laugh, pushing away from the counter. "Well, I should probably stop keeping you from your adventures. Don't lose touch, Ghost."

“It’s been nice meeting you, Caleb,” Dorian said, offering the other male a smile, “Thanks for the sword.”

"No problem man. You ever find yourself in the area and in need of a sword again, don't hesitate to stop by. Prices are lower for friends of our resident spectre." Caleb joked, shooting Ally a wink, which she returned by way of eye roll. "Good luck, try not to get arrested."

Dorian gave him a two fingered salute, "We'll try, no promises, though." The smile grew a fraction and he headed for the door, holding it open for Ally.

Ally's steps faltered almost imperceptibly when Dorian held the door open for her, and she quirked a brow at him as she stepped out into the street, lifting her hand in a wave to Caleb. The last time someone had held a door for her…had been never. She couldn't remember a time when anyone had.

Doiran didn't comment on the look she gave him. She might be an assassin but she was an assassin that had saved his gods damned life at that. And the prince wasn't rude, he just wanted to be nice for the woman who was helping him, even if he would have done it for anyone else.

Ally shook off the train of odd thought that had stemmed, turning to keep an eye on both Dorian and the street. "Thanks." She said, maybe a few moments too late. Manners, right? He had politely held the door open, so she was supposed to be polite back. That was how that worked, she was fairly certain. Or at least, partially certain.

“You’re welcome.” The prince replied. He didn’t care for the late reaction, honestly he didn’t want to make it a big deal as it was just holding a door open.

Ally didn't speak again until they had been walking for a few minutes, the silence not quite comfortable, but normal with Ally, who wasn't used to having someone along with her. "Now, we just gotta find some sorta mode o' transport." She thought for a moment, cycling through ideas at a pace that was too quick for most people, who hadn't grown up needing to think that quick on their feet.

Dorian frowned slightly, “Could we steal a cart or something?” He knew it was probably not a good idea but it was the only thing he had right now.

Ally's eyes fixated on an empty space just a little in front of them, as her sign-muttering almost seemed to become more just signing. "We could. 'S gotta be from someone who ain' gonna call the cops on us though, which is the bigges' problem."

Dorian cursed softly. Right, he hadn't thought about that, "You got any more connections around here? But if we get caught then I guess it's a chance to text out this new sword."

"I know a guy who's got a bunch o' wagons an' caravans tha' he uses for smugglin'." Ally mused, still signing at nothing. "Ya got any talents along the lines o' singin' songs an' tellin' stories?"