You Really Shouldn't Be Here

[Ethan Black]

He was right. She couldn't deny that. Yet that didn't mean it was the right thing to do. She didn't sound mad. If anything she seemed the opposite. Although Ethan wasn't going to comment on that. "Perhaps not, but it was the fun thing to do. That's what really matters." It was a joke. A tease. Even if it hadn't gone according to plan, Ethan knew he could handle himself. He didn't doubt she could as well.

What now? Ethan leaned close to the door. Listened for the footfalls of the men chasing them. He heard nothing. So he turned his gaze back to hers. "Now we get out of here and try sneaking back the way we came. Once were out of the commons we'll be fine. Besides, those fools will probably have given up by then, if they haven't already." A smirk came with his response. "Worried we'll get caught?"

[Astrid Brynn]

A heavy sigh fell from the blonde's lips. She couldn't disagree with his logic. But that wasn't because he was right, but because he thought he was. She supposed that doing fun things was something one should often have put as a priority, but this seemed like a rather far stretch. Then again, Astrid had to remind herself that she was no better.

Narrowing her eyes, Astrid forced her lips together. Yes, she was afraid of getting caught. Not because of the ruckus, but because of who she was. Someone had to figure out her identity at some point, right? All she really had now was the cover of darkness and that would only go so far. "Let's just get out of here," she whispered as she stepped closer to the door.

[Ethan Black]

She gave a heavy sigh but didn't disagree. Which in turn made him grin wickedly. Then she narrowed her eyes and put her lips together. There was a look of caution in her face. A speck of fear. She was afraid of getting caught. Whether she wanted to avoid confrontation or something else, Ethan wasn't sure. But she was already moving towards the door. They needed to get out of there.

A short nod was her answer before Ethan took the lead. He peeked out the door first. The alleyway was clear. Temporarily at least. Wasting no time, Ethan hurried out and gestured for Astrid to follow. The twists and turns of the alleys
were numerous, but Ethan had a general idea of where they were heading. Only a few times did he halt them and move into a niche to listen for sounds of pursuit. But the rest of the escape was uneventful. He'd been right. They had eventually given up.

Finally at the edge of the commons, Ethan breathed in deep. It was remarkable how much cleaner the air felt. Then dark eyes turned to her. A smug look came upon his face. "There, see? You had nothing to fear."

[Astrid Brynn]

Without another word, Astrid followed the man. She couldn't quite shake the feeling of dread, though, she remained silent. She supposed she couldn't blame him for her own fears. He didn't even know why she feared his ideas in the first place. It was unfair and right now, it wasn't as if the blonde had any other ideas.

This time, it was a relived sigh that fell from her lips. "Yeah," she said as she looked around. She offered him an almost apologetic smile. Still, he had to be tired. Carrying his friend around like that. "Do you need to sit down for a bit?" she asked curiously.

[Ethan Black]

This sigh was relieved. He didn't blame her. He was relieved to be out of the place as well. Prepared for the commons or not, it was still pretty dangerous. And as much fun as he'd had with his newfound companion, he longed for the ship. Even more so for carrying the unconscious drunk upon his shoulders.

He was offered a somewhat sheepish smile. Did he need to sit down for a bit? He flashed her a smile back. It was odd to be the object of someone's concern. At least around here and with someone he just met. "More like this fellow needs to lose a few pounds." Another joke, although half serious. He gratefully sat for a moment, letting the man slump to the ground beside him. "I only need to catch my breath,and then I probably should move on." It was slightly disaapointing to say, but the truth. His captain was likely wondering what was taking so long.

[Astrid Brynn]

The night chill had started to seep into Astrid's clothes and she wrapped her arms around her waist. "Yeah, I think your friend needs a softer place to sleep off the alcohol," she offered with a light smile. She too, could feel the previous anxiety slowly evaporate from her mind. She felt a tinge of sadness - even though she hardly knew the man. She had, 'til this point, enjoyed his company. She highly doubted they'd ever cross paths again and she didn't like the thought of that.

Though, she supposed, it was to be expected. It wasn't as if she could invite him to where she lived. And not only because Severn would have castrated the poor man.

Kneeling down, Astrid rested her cheek on the top of her knees. "And if we stay out much longer, we might catch a cold and that would benefit no one," she chuckled.

[Ethan Black]

His friend might need a softer place to sleep off the alcohol. Ethan chuckled at the remark and nudged the unconscious figure. "Probably, even if he doesn't particularly deserve it." Still, he could be punished when he was sober enough to realize it. Which brought him to the realization that they were going to have to part soon. It was a saddening thought. Judging by her face, she thought the same.

She crouched down and rested her head on her knees. If they stayed out longer they might caught a cold, which would benefit no one. He chuckled with her. "Very true. I'd rather keep my good health." Yet he noticed that she was beginning to look cold. He was already used to it. Nights aboard a ship at sea had given him some resistance. He regarded her for a few seconds before taking off his outermost top layer. He placed it over her shoulders without a word. Then crouched down right in front of her with a smirk.

"Don't even think about returning it, I won't accept it." There was a playful flick to her nose. He didn't care if she disliked it. "The only time you can return it is when we meet again." He stood as he said it, grinning a tad wickedly now. "And don't worry. I seem to attract all the odd ones, so I'm sure we'll see each other once more." Another tease. Though he hoped it would prove true.

[Astrid Brynn]

Surprised green eyes peered up at the man as she felt the piece of clothing fold around her shoulders. She narrowed her eyes in protest, but his words shut her down. Instead, she lifted her hands to tug the clothing closer around her and nodded. She supposed she had to admit as much; he was clever.

"Okay," she replied then. In truth, she didn't really want to argue with him. Perhaps it was strange, given the fact that the two of them hardly knew each other, but she saw little point in fighting it. If she wanted to meet him again, then why shouldn't she?

Rising to her feet then, Astrid stared up at the sky. "Until we meet again then, good sire," she offered lightly before offering him a bow of her head. With that, the blonde turned on her heel and ventured off into the darkness of the streets in front of her.