[One step at a time. It is frustrating that there isn't much they can do right now, but at least they have a lead. There are a lot of preparations that will have to be made tomorrow morning, and Alaric's lost in thought considering all of that as Blanche gets ready for bed.
And then she's suddenly jolting upright and he's staring at her like she's grown a second head.]
No? [okay hang on he just sounds baffled now—] You hold onto it. We're going to have to get you some proper clothes, so I'd just be giving it back to you in the morning anyway.
[...Oh that's. Right, actually. At least on the part of probably just needing it back in the morning anyway, but even still--]
...I had...thought that you might want it back for the night, at the very least? [Like.] ...That and I was nearly prepared to fall asleep with it on. I simply did not want to...
[Impose upon you for longer than needed. That's the first thing that pops into Blanche's head, and objectively, it's sound to her. Alaric looks so strange without his cloak? And she knows that he likes the damn thing, he only gave it to her because she did need to at least have something that wasn't her nightgown.
She could also just tell him he looks odd without it. Like, the guy likes his clothes and it looks strange off of him.
Furthermore, Blanche has never been particularly good at asking for things that aren't explicitly given to her, or brought up at a given opportunity. It...just feels strange, even if he's given this much to her, she just assumed it was for public appearance.
If she were emotionally competent, she could choose to express any of these sentiments. Unfortunately, you're dealing with Blanche Lamarre, and she is bad at this sort of thing. She just elects to shake her head instead, trying to dismiss the subject.]
--Never mind. Please, just forget about it. I...think I simply may need some sleep; it's making me act daft.
[And so she just kind of...promptly flops over on the bed so she doesn't have to stare at her knight's baffled face and she can hide her embarrassment. She almost had to express an emotion, that was terrible, please don't call her out on this--]
Edited (i could've stood to go into this more SO I'M GONNA) 2021-01-04 21:26 (UTC)
[He can practically see the gears turning in Blanche's head, and maybe if they were in a less stressful situation that would be something to tease her about, or perhaps even something to discuss. Alaric isn't going to pretend he understands everything about Blanche, and maybe this reaction is just a sign of things that simply haven't come up between them before. Or maybe he's the one reading too deeply into this.
Regardless, he lets it go with a shrug.]
No need to worry so much. Get some sleep; we're going to need an early start tomorrow.
[With that he gets up off the bed to head into the bathroom for his preparations for bed; he won't be up for much longer, but he needs to run one last check over the place to make sure things will be safe for the night. You can't be too cautious - especially not after what they did to the previous rulers and Blanche's siblings. Blanche made a lot of enemies that day.]
[Blanche has never been one to sleep easily, but thankfully if nothing else, she's quiet about it. Even as she likely wakes up a few times in the night due to nightmares; never once screaming or anything of the like, just waking up with a sigh and closing her eyes again. The nightmares have always been something she's dealt with, but what happened to the castle is what's plaguing her now. What would happen if she died, if Alaric died, if they didn't move--
By the time the next morning comes, Blanche looks the same as usual, though. This has been her normal for quite some time now, and the stone-faced queen has better things to focus on than her nightmares.
Namely, supplies. Alaric was right, at the very least; the town's people are more than generous with helping them get supplies, and in a way, Blanche can't help but feel a little guilt. It's something she doesn't express outright, but between the food, the clothing, and everything else they're able to get for the road, they'll be able to make it to Miramas with enough to spare. And if all goes well, perhaps they'll be able to stock up there as well.
(Of course, Blanche does look back towards the way they came, by the time they leave, and the storm is still somehow raging over the castle grounds. It's practically cloaked the entire castle from view, and it's...
Something Blanche isn't going to think about right now.)
Either way, the two of them are on the road again; their path is going to be a long one, since they're taking plenty of caution to hopefully not be detected by this stormy magus. Alaric has the map in hand and has charted out a path for them that will get them there with hopefully few problems. Blanche is at least dressed prepared for the situation, though. Sure, she's gone for the most goth yet noble ensemble possible, and for convenience sake, she's elected to go for pants instead of a skirt for travel purposes, but everyone will know it's her once they see her face. She's sure of that much.
Still, they've certainly got a long ways ahead of them, and the brush is definitely thick enough to cover them. Of course, it's also thick enough to be an inconvenience in multiple fashions; Blanche is pretty sure that some of those leaves are poison ivy, and they'll need to avoid that like the plague. And the bugs...don't get her started on the bugs. If Blanche has to swat away another fly away so help her gods--]
These insects are practically treating us as a beacon... [Blanche doesn't really complain much. Really, she doesn't! But good gods.] Really, you would think they haven't had a meal in weeks with how irritating they're being.
[It isn't exactly a surprise that Blanche isn't a sound sleeper. Not that Alaric's ever had to share a room with her like this before, but considering everything they did, it would be more surprising if she did sleep soundly.
Of course, Alaric doesn't have the same problem.
He's up bright and early though, setting about gathering up supplies and getting a bit more information before they head out. The storm still rages over the castle, but the skies are clear above them and in the direction of Miramas. That doesn't mean they'll remain clear, but it certainly is a bit worrying. Blanche says nothing about that, and Alaric isn't going to bring it up.
With all their supplies packed up in a bag Alaric's carrying, they set off. The route he's picked is one that takes them through the forest for most of their journey, but it will eventually give them the option of descending onto the plains for the shortest route, or heading up into the mountains to go around the back way. They can decide on the best course of action once they're there; for now, they simply have to make it there.
Traveling like this is something Alaric's familiar with, though it's been awhile since he had any reason to do it. He and his mom lived very far away from the castle and he had to hike just to join the knights, much less make it all the way back out there. Of course, that was before he'd saved up enough to move his mom to the city some years ago, but that's a thought that's better left alone for now. It's not like they had time to go check the city surrounding the castle after their escape, after all.]
It's how they always are. Insects are a huge pain. Try not to scratch too much if they bite you.
[Not exactly the most confidence-inspiring response, but what did you expect here...]
[listen. blanche trusts alaric for three things in this world; protection, murder, and and objective advice. it's fine.]
They could stand to be far less so. But your advice is noted and appreciated.
[As for Blanche's leg...]
...It's fine enough. I checked it before we left this morning; it's left a scar, and there's some slight pain I can't get rid of with magic. It isn't anything hindering, however.
[The pain will probably pass in a few days or so. It's Fine And She'll Deal, basically. Business as usual, at least.
...And there's another mosquito buzzing around her ear, ugh can you not you little dastard--]
[Blanche knows her limits better than he does, so he'll trust that she won't push herself too hard. They are in a hurry, but if they rush and aren't able to fight by the time they find this mage, it'll all be for nothing.
Of course, her irritation with the bugs is pretty amusing, and Alaric's grinning when he addresses it.]
They're not really something you can get rid of with magic. Well, I suppose you could burn the forest down, but there will always be more bugs to deal with.
[She knows. Blanche would rather just endure it than have to waste more time than she needs, but she doesn't want to be a burden when the battle actually starts.
She sees that grin on Alaric's face and Blanche's expression shifts (not into a pout, a queen does not pout) a bit.]
I am aware of that, yes. That would be incredibly cruel to the people who hunt in these woods, and moreso to the animals them...selves...
[Something's fluttered into vision that cause's Blanche's look to be fixed on it--and you know, for a well read and educated woman, she startles and her gaze hardens at the insect.
A butterfly. A rather pretty looking one, but a butterfly none the less is just kind of fluttering into vision, and Blanche starts to...charge Miasma into hand...]
Perhaps some Miasma will get these miscreants out of our hair...!
Pretty. [Blanche sounds utterly incredulous. I mean she's also incredulous that Alaric is laughing at a time like this but still!!] Have you seen all of those wretched little legs on them? They are horrible as any other bug. I suppose the fact that they do not try to use you as a meal ticket is a point in their favor, but...
[...Ohhhhh hi there, you are getting a little too close to the gated property there, butterfly friend. It's flying almost directly into Blanche's face and. Well, if nothing else the Miasma is gone for the moment. But hoo boy.]
[Her savior...don't worry, the butterfly does get the hint and shoos out of the way, going off elsewhere. Blanche very notably eases at that much, expression settling back to it's usual.]
I see. We didn't exactly have any of them around the castle, growing up. Not that mother nor father truly cared about maintaining anything that may have attracted them...
[...]
What was your village like?
[It's a minorly curious question, if nothing else. Blanche surprisingly isn't exactly well traveled despite her status, and she's never really bothered to ask before.]
[Not a surprise there, Blanche's parents only cared about one thing, after all.
That question earns a small shrug from him, but it doesn't seem to bother Alaric as he continues to walk.]
One of those small, out-of-the-way towns with not much importance. It's pretty far from the castle.
[In other words, a place on the map Blanche has probably never paid any attention to.]
It's located in a forest much like this one; there's a mountain range close by, where bandits often holed up. For awhile there was a lot of trouble with them; I learned to fight because the town needed everyone who could to pitch in.
The nobles finally did something about it, but only after several requests for assistance.
[He shrugs again after a brief pause, though.]
Got a little distracted there, but it wasn't a place I was all that fond of.
In hindsight, Blanche should have expected this much, really. Her face doesn't change much from it's usual, but there's a definite darkening of her look. None of this is a surprise; the nobility are never able to get off of their duffs when the people truly need them, and likely only did it to shut the village up.
But it disgusts Blanche.]
...I see. I suppose I should not be surprised, but ignoring the pleas of the people...they should be ashamed.
[Ah, but--he's said he's not fond of it. And he likely doesn't need her telling him that it's reprehensible and all sorts of colorful synonyms about how useless the nobility are. He knows better than most anyone.]
It's quite fine; I understand your disdain. [...] I apologize for prying. If I had known...
Don't worry about it. It's not something that bothers me.
[That does seem to be true; while he didn't look very pleased while talking about it, now that they're done discussing it, he's back to looking as relaxed as ever.]
Things were rough for awhile, but that's all in the past.
[That's like asking her not to breathe and you know it, Alaric. Still, Blanche does nod her head at that; she's more than inclined to drop the subject.
She doesn't want to upset her (friend, confidant) knight if she can avoid it. And once everything is back to normal, she'll redouble her efforts of ensuring that all towns are given adequate defense.]
...Indeed. And such things are better left in the past.
[...Still, she looks out to their surroundings--mostly as a way to keep an eye on things, but...]
I was mostly simply curious. [She thinks for a moment, but...] The only time I had any sort of experience in this sort of environment is when my father attempted to take my siblings and I hunting, once when I was young.
...We did not have to deal with many of them, but once my siblings found out I had a distaste for them, they would not stop attempting to find some simply to try and stick them on my face.
[It was awful!!]
Edited (mmm wording, this makes a lil more sense) 2021-01-05 22:28 (UTC)
Can't say I'm surprised by that; your siblings always seemed to be a handful.
[More than that, really. Alaric never really had any reason to talk to them or get to know them, but he never had a good impression of them to begin with.]
I'm guessing the trip was a bad experience all around which is why it never happened again.
Oh, believe me, they were. Be thankful you didn't see the worst of it.
[...They stopped being too explicit of shitheads when Alaric entered the picture as Blanche's knight, let's put it at that.]
It was, yes. [Or at the very least, they stopped inviting Blanche along for those trips. But she's not going to bring that up.] ...Not that it matters much. I always did prefer my own little trips around the city over anything they could have set up.
[It was freedom, in a way that certainly got her in trouble more before Alaric arrived and they stopped making such a stink about it, but her gaze softens just a touch upon saying that.]
Edited (clarification i should'a added earlier jfc) 2021-01-06 00:26 (UTC)
[It isn't a surprise they treated her awfully, but it is irritating that they only stopped when there was someone else around consistently who could catch them in the act. Alaric has never doubted his decision to serve Blanche, and killing her siblings, but this only makes it even more clear how right that decision was.]
Sounds like you enjoyed it frequently too. Some of the other knights joked that even I wouldn't be able to keep up with you.
[That gets...honestly, that gets a very short, almost mirthful bit of a chuckle out of her. Alaric's certainly not wrong, at any rate.]
Is that right? I suppose I should not be surprised. But I did try to get out any chance that I could, that much is true. I began memorizing the knights guard rounds so I could make a hasty exit without them knowing. But I always tried to keep my own escape schedule erratic so they couldn't be sure unless they checked my room.
[Blanche sounds legitimately smug about that. It was the greatest of fuck yous to her parents, but...well, she looks to Alaric and the smugness dies down and is replaced with something that most would still consider stony, but is about as close to being pleased as she gets.]
And yet, when you joined the knights, you became good at keeping up with me quite fast, didn't you? How did you manage that?
[That gets a short bark of laughter from him before he turns to flash her a grin.]
You definitely gave me some trouble at first, but I wasn't going to lose. I'm competitive, you know. If you were going to outspeed me, I'd just get faster. If you were going to outsmart me, I'd just get smarter. I learned how to keep up with you both because I couldn't stand being outwitted by you, and because this job's an important one.
[For different reasons back then than it is now, but he's always taken pride in his work.]
[Blanche listens, and honestly, she can't help but be amused. There's something amusing as hell about him getting so competitive, and yet more than anything, it's that dedication that Blanche appreciates about him. Even when the going gets tough, he gets tougher to match.]
When you put it like that, it's almost a shame that I could not continue to challenge you, Alaric... [But Blanche doesn't sound disappointed in the slightest.] But objectively speaking, I had played just about every trick I could muster, and you learned every one of them. It certainly proved that you are not one to be underestimated.
[She also just kind of appreciates that someone was willing to go the extra mile for her, but she's not sure how to express that.]
Besides, I can certainly say that I have learned plenty of new things from you. And I can appreciate that.
[For what it's worth, the next several days of travel go off without much of a hitch; for what it's worth, Blanche keeps her complaining further about bugs to a minimum in favor of forging on ahead. They have to, if they want to get to Miramas before this horrible mage moves on. The path is certainly more treacherous than expected, but Blanche can and will persevere. She has to; as Queen, nothing less will be acceptable.
...She's not really doing great at resting unless told to by Alaric, but that's besides the point. And it's all the more proof that she's happy to have him by her side. So they settle into something of a routine; travel during the day, set up their separate tents at night, and repeat until they're close to the city.
Of course, it can't be that simple. And today, the air is almost uncomfortably still and tense, and it's so quiet that you can practically hear a pin drop.
Blanche does not like this, to say the least. She's sticking close to Alaric today, keeping a steady pace, but...]
Is it supposed to be this quiet?
[Blanche is not sure if they should prepare for battle yet, but she's definitely considering it and looking around.]
[Travelling like this is sort of nice. Sure, it's not as nice as living in the castle in comfort without having to worry about managing supplies and all that, but it's nostalgic and Alaric finds he can't really hate it. He spent a lot of time traveling on his own, and there's something nice about having Blanche by his side now.
So even though the path they're traversing through the woods isn't easy, and Blanche herself needs to be reminded to rest, it's not bad at all. Not quite as great as their usual routines in the castle, but certainly not as bad as it could be.
Something's different today, though. There should be plenty of sounds in the forest, and yet it's unnaturally still.]
It isn't. Something's wrong.
[It's a clear day, so it seems unlikely there's going to be a massive storm or something that would be causing this sort of reaction from the wildlife, so it's something else. Alaric has his sword drawn already.]
Stay close and keep your eyes open.
[Something's about to happen, he's just not sure what.]
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And then she's suddenly jolting upright and he's staring at her like she's grown a second head.]
No? [okay hang on he just sounds baffled now—] You hold onto it. We're going to have to get you some proper clothes, so I'd just be giving it back to you in the morning anyway.
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...I had...thought that you might want it back for the night, at the very least? [Like.] ...That and I was nearly prepared to fall asleep with it on. I simply did not want to...
[Impose upon you for longer than needed. That's the first thing that pops into Blanche's head, and objectively, it's sound to her. Alaric looks so strange without his cloak? And she knows that he likes the damn thing, he only gave it to her because she did need to at least have something that wasn't her nightgown.
She could also just tell him he looks odd without it. Like, the guy likes his clothes and it looks strange off of him.
Furthermore, Blanche has never been particularly good at asking for things that aren't explicitly given to her, or brought up at a given opportunity. It...just feels strange, even if he's given this much to her, she just assumed it was for public appearance.
If she were emotionally competent, she could choose to express any of these sentiments. Unfortunately, you're dealing with Blanche Lamarre, and she is bad at this sort of thing. She just elects to shake her head instead, trying to dismiss the subject.]
--Never mind. Please, just forget about it. I...think I simply may need some sleep; it's making me act daft.
[And so she just kind of...promptly flops over on the bed so she doesn't have to stare at her knight's baffled face and she can hide her embarrassment. She almost had to express an emotion, that was terrible, please don't call her out on this--]
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Regardless, he lets it go with a shrug.]
No need to worry so much. Get some sleep; we're going to need an early start tomorrow.
[With that he gets up off the bed to head into the bathroom for his preparations for bed; he won't be up for much longer, but he needs to run one last check over the place to make sure things will be safe for the night. You can't be too cautious - especially not after what they did to the previous rulers and Blanche's siblings. Blanche made a lot of enemies that day.]
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By the time the next morning comes, Blanche looks the same as usual, though. This has been her normal for quite some time now, and the stone-faced queen has better things to focus on than her nightmares.
Namely, supplies. Alaric was right, at the very least; the town's people are more than generous with helping them get supplies, and in a way, Blanche can't help but feel a little guilt. It's something she doesn't express outright, but between the food, the clothing, and everything else they're able to get for the road, they'll be able to make it to Miramas with enough to spare. And if all goes well, perhaps they'll be able to stock up there as well.
(Of course, Blanche does look back towards the way they came, by the time they leave, and the storm is still somehow raging over the castle grounds. It's practically cloaked the entire castle from view, and it's...
Something Blanche isn't going to think about right now.)
Either way, the two of them are on the road again; their path is going to be a long one, since they're taking plenty of caution to hopefully not be detected by this stormy magus. Alaric has the map in hand and has charted out a path for them that will get them there with hopefully few problems. Blanche is at least dressed prepared for the situation, though. Sure, she's gone for the most goth yet noble ensemble possible, and for convenience sake, she's elected to go for pants instead of a skirt for travel purposes, but everyone will know it's her once they see her face. She's sure of that much.
Still, they've certainly got a long ways ahead of them, and the brush is definitely thick enough to cover them. Of course, it's also thick enough to be an inconvenience in multiple fashions; Blanche is pretty sure that some of those leaves are poison ivy, and they'll need to avoid that like the plague. And the bugs...don't get her started on the bugs. If Blanche has to swat away another fly away so help her gods--]
These insects are practically treating us as a beacon... [Blanche doesn't really complain much. Really, she doesn't! But good gods.] Really, you would think they haven't had a meal in weeks with how irritating they're being.
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Of course, Alaric doesn't have the same problem.
He's up bright and early though, setting about gathering up supplies and getting a bit more information before they head out. The storm still rages over the castle, but the skies are clear above them and in the direction of Miramas. That doesn't mean they'll remain clear, but it certainly is a bit worrying. Blanche says nothing about that, and Alaric isn't going to bring it up.
With all their supplies packed up in a bag Alaric's carrying, they set off. The route he's picked is one that takes them through the forest for most of their journey, but it will eventually give them the option of descending onto the plains for the shortest route, or heading up into the mountains to go around the back way. They can decide on the best course of action once they're there; for now, they simply have to make it there.
Traveling like this is something Alaric's familiar with, though it's been awhile since he had any reason to do it. He and his mom lived very far away from the castle and he had to hike just to join the knights, much less make it all the way back out there. Of course, that was before he'd saved up enough to move his mom to the city some years ago, but that's a thought that's better left alone for now. It's not like they had time to go check the city surrounding the castle after their escape, after all.]
It's how they always are. Insects are a huge pain. Try not to scratch too much if they bite you.
[Not exactly the most confidence-inspiring response, but what did you expect here...]
How's your leg doing?
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They could stand to be far less so. But your advice is noted and appreciated.
[As for Blanche's leg...]
...It's fine enough. I checked it before we left this morning; it's left a scar, and there's some slight pain I can't get rid of with magic. It isn't anything hindering, however.
[The pain will probably pass in a few days or so. It's Fine And She'll Deal, basically. Business as usual, at least.
...And there's another mosquito buzzing around her ear, ugh can you not you little dastard--]
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[Blanche knows her limits better than he does, so he'll trust that she won't push herself too hard. They are in a hurry, but if they rush and aren't able to fight by the time they find this mage, it'll all be for nothing.
Of course, her irritation with the bugs is pretty amusing, and Alaric's grinning when he addresses it.]
They're not really something you can get rid of with magic. Well, I suppose you could burn the forest down, but there will always be more bugs to deal with.
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She sees that grin on Alaric's face and Blanche's expression shifts (not into a pout, a queen does not pout) a bit.]
I am aware of that, yes. That would be incredibly cruel to the people who hunt in these woods, and moreso to the animals them...selves...
[Something's fluttered into vision that cause's Blanche's look to be fixed on it--and you know, for a well read and educated woman, she startles and her gaze hardens at the insect.
A butterfly. A rather pretty looking one, but a butterfly none the less is just kind of fluttering into vision, and Blanche starts to...charge Miasma into hand...]
Perhaps some Miasma will get these miscreants out of our hair...!
[blanche. honey.]
no subject
Hey, c'mon, butterflies won't harm you. They don't bite or sting or anything, they just exist and look pretty.
[is there a point to butterflies?? probably, but he doesn't know much about insects so like, whatever.]
It'll just go on its way, it won't even try to get in your face.
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Pretty. [Blanche sounds utterly incredulous. I mean she's also incredulous that Alaric is laughing at a time like this but still!!] Have you seen all of those wretched little legs on them? They are horrible as any other bug. I suppose the fact that they do not try to use you as a meal ticket is a point in their favor, but...
[...Ohhhhh hi there, you are getting a little too close to the gated property there, butterfly friend. It's flying almost directly into Blanche's face and. Well, if nothing else the Miasma is gone for the moment. But hoo boy.]
You sound like you're so used to them, Alaric.
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You see a lot of them out in places like this. I used to see them all the time in the village I grew up in.
[That and every other kind of bug, so he's not particularly bothered by any of them at this point.]
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I see. We didn't exactly have any of them around the castle, growing up. Not that mother nor father truly cared about maintaining anything that may have attracted them...
[...]
What was your village like?
[It's a minorly curious question, if nothing else. Blanche surprisingly isn't exactly well traveled despite her status, and she's never really bothered to ask before.]
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That question earns a small shrug from him, but it doesn't seem to bother Alaric as he continues to walk.]
One of those small, out-of-the-way towns with not much importance. It's pretty far from the castle.
[In other words, a place on the map Blanche has probably never paid any attention to.]
It's located in a forest much like this one; there's a mountain range close by, where bandits often holed up. For awhile there was a lot of trouble with them; I learned to fight because the town needed everyone who could to pitch in.
The nobles finally did something about it, but only after several requests for assistance.
[He shrugs again after a brief pause, though.]
Got a little distracted there, but it wasn't a place I was all that fond of.
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In hindsight, Blanche should have expected this much, really. Her face doesn't change much from it's usual, but there's a definite darkening of her look. None of this is a surprise; the nobility are never able to get off of their duffs when the people truly need them, and likely only did it to shut the village up.
But it disgusts Blanche.]
...I see. I suppose I should not be surprised, but ignoring the pleas of the people...they should be ashamed.
[Ah, but--he's said he's not fond of it. And he likely doesn't need her telling him that it's reprehensible and all sorts of colorful synonyms about how useless the nobility are. He knows better than most anyone.]
It's quite fine; I understand your disdain. [...] I apologize for prying. If I had known...
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[That does seem to be true; while he didn't look very pleased while talking about it, now that they're done discussing it, he's back to looking as relaxed as ever.]
Things were rough for awhile, but that's all in the past.
[There's no point in dwelling on it, anyway.]
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She doesn't want to upset her (friend, confidant) knight if she can avoid it. And once everything is back to normal, she'll redouble her efforts of ensuring that all towns are given adequate defense.]
...Indeed. And such things are better left in the past.
[...Still, she looks out to their surroundings--mostly as a way to keep an eye on things, but...]
I was mostly simply curious. [She thinks for a moment, but...] The only time I had any sort of experience in this sort of environment is when my father attempted to take my siblings and I hunting, once when I was young.
...We did not have to deal with many of them, but once my siblings found out I had a distaste for them, they would not stop attempting to find some simply to try and stick them on my face.
[It was awful!!]
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[More than that, really. Alaric never really had any reason to talk to them or get to know them, but he never had a good impression of them to begin with.]
I'm guessing the trip was a bad experience all around which is why it never happened again.
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[...They stopped being too explicit of shitheads when Alaric entered the picture as Blanche's knight, let's put it at that.]
It was, yes. [Or at the very least, they stopped inviting Blanche along for those trips. But she's not going to bring that up.] ...Not that it matters much. I always did prefer my own little trips around the city over anything they could have set up.
[It was freedom, in a way that certainly got her in trouble more before Alaric arrived and they stopped making such a stink about it, but her gaze softens just a touch upon saying that.]
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Sounds like you enjoyed it frequently too. Some of the other knights joked that even I wouldn't be able to keep up with you.
[Not that he's bothered by that any, obviously.]
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Is that right? I suppose I should not be surprised. But I did try to get out any chance that I could, that much is true. I began memorizing the knights guard rounds so I could make a hasty exit without them knowing. But I always tried to keep my own escape schedule erratic so they couldn't be sure unless they checked my room.
[Blanche sounds legitimately smug about that. It was the greatest of fuck yous to her parents, but...well, she looks to Alaric and the smugness dies down and is replaced with something that most would still consider stony, but is about as close to being pleased as she gets.]
And yet, when you joined the knights, you became good at keeping up with me quite fast, didn't you? How did you manage that?
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You definitely gave me some trouble at first, but I wasn't going to lose. I'm competitive, you know. If you were going to outspeed me, I'd just get faster. If you were going to outsmart me, I'd just get smarter. I learned how to keep up with you both because I couldn't stand being outwitted by you, and because this job's an important one.
[For different reasons back then than it is now, but he's always taken pride in his work.]
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When you put it like that, it's almost a shame that I could not continue to challenge you, Alaric... [But Blanche doesn't sound disappointed in the slightest.] But objectively speaking, I had played just about every trick I could muster, and you learned every one of them. It certainly proved that you are not one to be underestimated.
[She also just kind of appreciates that someone was willing to go the extra mile for her, but she's not sure how to express that.]
Besides, I can certainly say that I have learned plenty of new things from you. And I can appreciate that.
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[Sure, it wasn't necessarily easy catching up to Blanche and learning her routes and routines, but honestly, it was fun.]
Pleased to be of assistance as always, Your Majesty.
[He stoops into a bow for a moment before straightening up with a smirk.]
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...She's not really doing great at resting unless told to by Alaric, but that's besides the point. And it's all the more proof that she's happy to have him by her side. So they settle into something of a routine; travel during the day, set up their separate tents at night, and repeat until they're close to the city.
Of course, it can't be that simple. And today, the air is almost uncomfortably still and tense, and it's so quiet that you can practically hear a pin drop.
Blanche does not like this, to say the least. She's sticking close to Alaric today, keeping a steady pace, but...]
Is it supposed to be this quiet?
[Blanche is not sure if they should prepare for battle yet, but she's definitely considering it and looking around.]
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So even though the path they're traversing through the woods isn't easy, and Blanche herself needs to be reminded to rest, it's not bad at all. Not quite as great as their usual routines in the castle, but certainly not as bad as it could be.
Something's different today, though. There should be plenty of sounds in the forest, and yet it's unnaturally still.]
It isn't. Something's wrong.
[It's a clear day, so it seems unlikely there's going to be a massive storm or something that would be causing this sort of reaction from the wildlife, so it's something else. Alaric has his sword drawn already.]
Stay close and keep your eyes open.
[Something's about to happen, he's just not sure what.]
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