sheridan | [Closed] Freedom lies in being bold.

[Richard wanders the docks of Barona Port, decked out in the plainest garments he owns. Granted, they're still quite fine, but at least the colors are dark; he hopes at least they'll attract little notice. It's been two months since that night in the catacombs, the guard wander the city in full force, and he's been advised - ordered, really - to remain inside the castle where he's safe. Safe. Yes, like a canary in a cage with a viper, he thinks.]

[Richard pulls his hat down low over his eyes as he listens to the water lap against pilings, looking about every now and then to make sure he hasn't been discovered. It's calming, a little. Not a lot, but just enough to help him focus. People board one of the ships tied here and Richard considers following them for one mad minute. Asbel had said that he would help, right? That if anything terrible occurred, he should come to him.]

[It's mad. He knows it's impossible. In truth, there's nothing the other boy could do, and besides, this isn't a burden he can place on anyone else. He's the prince, after all. And... And he needs strength and guidance beyond himself, if he's perfectly honest. What action, then, should he take?]

[Before he can decide, Richard's caught off-guard by one of the large land tortoises being led down to an awaiting boat. The poor-tempered creature's foot crashes down not two yards away, and Richard is forced to shuffle backwards with an undignified yelp.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's a clear dismissal, which Malikah has likewise clearly ignored. He could simply order the knight instructor away, but she's done nothing wrong. In fact - it's been quite the opposite. And...he'd like to ask her about the cadets. Richard studies Malikah quietly for a minute more before nodding.]

Very well, then. However, there are still a number of issues which I plan to investigate before returning to the castle. If such a thing is possible, I would prefer to avoid attracting further attention.

[Malikah is, after all, quite the imposing figure. Considering the inadequacy of his current disguise, it's hard to imagine they could travel together without turning heads.]

Earlier you mentioned a change in disguise. What would you suggest?

[She rubs her chin for a few moments.]

Find a way to dress like a member of the lower class. Those who look less fortunate are often ignored by the rest of society. [Windor is much wealthier overall than Fendel, of course, but people are the same everywhere that Malikah has traveled.] Find some servant clothes and destroy them somehow, maybe by rubbing dirt into them or staining them.

Coloring your hair will also serve you well, although that may take more time to put on and take out than you care for. If that's the case, a simple change in hairstyle helps. [A chuckle.] I did say that disguising yourself as a girl may bring you more trouble, but that's mainly from common criminals. If someone is looking for you specifically, all it may take to throw them off your trail are a pair of ribboned braids and a dress.

[It seems counterproductive to be giving advice on evasion to a person that someone is supposed to look after, but in Malikah's mind this is a way of looking after the young prince. She's already getting the sense that he won't be persuaded to stay in the castle like he's supposed to (and to be honest, she can't really blame the kid), so this is the next best thing to shadowing him. If the Royal Knights can't find him because he's so well-disguised, then hopefully neither can his enemies.]

[Malikah certainly has a point. At one time, Richard would have simply ignored the servants, leaving them to tend to their chores in peace. Now, of course, it's quite a different story, but it may still work.]

Yes, thank you. Perhaps I'll try that. It shouldn't be difficult to acquire an old uniform from the launderers.

[While altering cheap garments is one thing... A hand strays unconsciously to his golden fringe. Styling it wouldn't be so difficult (it's something he could easily accomplish alone), but if anyone in the castle noticed its changing hues, that'd only raise suspicions. Besides, dye would almost certainly cause permanent damage. He isn't sure why, but he isn't very fond of the idea.]

Although, it may be better to have more than one disguise, depending on the circumstances. Places exist within Barona where a servant would not normally go. Likewise, there are locations a young girl would be most unwelcome in.

[Richard won't give any details. Already he doubtless sounds like a tiny vigilante.]

[Malikah nods.]

Excellently observed, your Majesty. You may need to be a servant one day, a girl the next...and perhaps a servant girl the day after that. [Bread, eggs, breaded eggs.] Also consider that a disguise is much more than changing one's appearance. Demeanor and voice must change, as well, for a truly effective disguise.

I understand. [Richard nods back slowly. Demeanor and voice... perhaps he should be trying harder to emulate his new friends. They all behaved quite differently from himself, and sometimes in ways he could barely comprehend. Asbel was straightforward bordering on brash, and Sophie asked questions about whatever happened to be on her mind, her words simple and far-between. Hubert spoke often as if he was asking permission to do so, and Cheria, though polite, was prone to outbursts. He'd caught her shaking her head and rolling her eyes at Asbel more than once when they were together.]

Although, it might also be more effective if you would refrain from addressing me that way, Captain Malikah.

[No, that's still much too formal. Perhaps:] If you're coming with, we might as well go now, okay? I've still got chores to do.

[A smile.]

Better. You could even let your words hang a little looser. [Malikah repeats Richard's last words, but with a touch of a drawl to them that softens some of the harder sounds.]

[Richard parrots the sentence a second time, feeling somewhat foolish as he intentionally throws all of his enunciation lessons out the window. But, even still, an amused smile creeps onto his face, the first in quite a while.]

If yer comin', we migh'as well go now. I still got chores t'do.

[Hopefully the mun won't continue writing butchered sentences that way, however. Also, perhaps he should name his new persona as well? Rosaline sounds nice. No, too formal. But maybe...]

It's...Rosie. Rosie Cowden.

Rosie, is it? [A chuckle.] It's nice to meet you. I imagine Barona must be quite overwhelming for a country flower like you. Might I have the honor of escorting you so you don't get lost in our winding city streets?

[In other words: "This is our excuse for us walking together."]

[He understands. Richard (that is, Rosie) offers Malikah a nod.]

Yeah, pleased to meetcha Cap'n Malikah. If you wouldn't mind, I'd be more'n grateful for yer help. S'like leaving the fields and gettin' turned around in the forest, if you know what I mean.

[Not that he's feeling lost at all, but it seems best to permit Malikah to accompany him. Besides, she'd likely follow even if he refused.]

Gotta pick up a few things for the cows back home, y'now. Oh! And I'd... I'd promised Uncle Sage to get a looksee at the new rock sculpture 'fore I left. He's a history buff. Always got his nose to th' books...

Does he, now? Then I imagine you must have heard a lot about Barona through him as well. Truly, though, this city's grandeur cannot be captured by mere words.

Edited (wrong icon) 2015-06-07 05:49 (UTC)

Truer words were ne'r spoken. It's a mighty fine city. Too bad Uncle Sage's got a bad back these days...

[Richard glances up at Malikah as he steps back into the street.]

So, what's it like? Workin' with the cadets? Must be like herdin' colts.

[Malikah surveys their environment once they rejoin the urban flow. Such an action is an ingrained habit for her after all these years, but considering who she has in her charge now she pays even closer attention than usual.]

Would it that they were but colts. It's more like herding cats when there's a mountain of catnip just across the road.

[The catnip-crazed cats are arguably more graceful than some of the cadets, though.]

[Closed] Freedom lies in being bold.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject