: Luck in the Shadows :

[unputdownable]

Some nameless Inn, some nameless town.

This is an origin story if ever there was one, for all great partnerships have a definite and decided beginning and this is one such.

Jhude had been on the trail of a nobleman who had been hellbent on marrying his daughter to a highly abusive peer; it was a coaching inn on the way to one of the three major metropolis; now he'd read reports that the man on the gifted end of the bride stick had been a widower thrice times over which.. to Jhude, was a bit suspicious.

It had taken quite a bit of researcher, and he wasn't a born researcher by any stretch-- but it did not take an idiot to put two and two together and he was not an idiot; it also meant that the ladies life was hanging on a knife's point. Not now, but perhaps later-- and Jhude was enough of a bleeding heart that he could not countenance this whatsoever.

No one deserved it.

So he was in the posting house, keeping to the shadows, watching the lady and her father in question. Oh, but she looked miserable, and he looked smug. Tonight was the perfect time to act, the posting house was crowded and if there was anything that he could do, it was to perhaps sneak her out, give her a bag of gold to settle comfortably, give her the name of someone within the church who could provide her aid if needed and she'd have freedom to live her life and perhaps marry someone of her choosing.

He was sitting at a table with his hood pulled over his head, nursing a tankard of ale as he watched and listened; ever so close to the table so that he could pick up their words, their routine. Any sort of information that would make this entire process easier.

Comments

[transfigured]

Oh, this one could be lethal, Aster realized. No one with that charmingly boyish smile and goodhearted bravery should be this handsome on top of it all. Terribly unfair. Jhude was extremely dangerous, though Aster was certain that the other man didn't know it.

That only made it all the more endearing. Damn.

"Luck in the shadows," Aster agreed, shaking that hand and then turning to the window. A quick check outside to make sure no one was near enough to see this bit of parkour and breaking and entering. The coast seemed clear though, and with one last grin and wink in Jhude's direction, Aster slipped out the window and was gone.

The room he was aiming for was, thankfully (and not coincidentally) next to their own. It was an interesting challenge to work the latch on the window while clinging to the side of the building, but he was inside in barely a few moments.

There was a tense moment where the girl almost cried out in alarm, but Aster managed to convince her that he was there to help her not some robber ruining her night. Her father was snoring away, deep in sleep, and Aster wasted no time explaining the plan, that he'd disguise himself as her and lead her watchers on a merry little chase, and that while he was doing that, her impromptu dance partner from earlier would come take her to hide until the coast was properly clear to make her escape.

He warned her about the changing before he did it, which did at least seem to keep her from freaking out, which was nice. A quick swapping of clothes, and Aster -- now wearing the shape of the runaway bride once more, and dressed in her clothing and traveling cloak -- made his move.

It was an interesting tightrope act, to slip out into the hallway, trying to look like he was trying to unseen and unnoticed, in sneaking off, but not doing so good a job of it that he didn't draw notice from the watchers he needed to draw away.

So he made a good show of it, all going smoothly until he stumbled down the stairs. Jhude would no doubt hear the sudden commotion, and the sound of a frightened feminine voice, "No! I won't go back! I won't be wed to that monster!"

And then the sound of feet as Aster took off at a run, dodging in and out of alleys and streets, quick enough to keep ahead of his pursuit but not so fast as to lose them, drawing them towards the harbor as he'd planned, hoping that Jhude's side of things was going well.

[unputdownable]

The commotion came all of a sudden, the girlish voice and then the ensuing chase as steps pounded downstairs; nearly in time with his own pounding heart. He waited, perhaps a thrice too long and then he moved his way out of the room as stealthily as possible. A tiptoe really before he tried the handle and slipped inside. And came face to face with the eyes of the hopeful girl; good so she was warned.

That was, well it was something and made this a lot less awkward.

He wondered why he thought perhaps she wouldn't and maybe that was his brain, his brain hadn't been the same since seeing the other man morph into something other. But well he quickly motioned for her to follow him, tossing her a spare cloak that he had and then when she donned it he started to move out. Down the steps and into a tavern room where everyone was perplexed over the chase that had happened though thankfully no one wanted to get involved with it.

The innkeeper though, the innkeeper looked at him with eyes that knew that there was something scetchy going on, and he could not take that risk. Not really, the look in the eyes was borderline avarice and so as he walked past the counter, he accidentally dropped ten gold on the countertop, which the innkeeper immediately grabbed up.

A nod passed between them, before the man turned right back to his business. That ten gold was to have been sent to his mother but well, guess this was a good cause and he'd find another way to make back that money.

And so they both stole for the most part unimpeded to the stables where he helped her onto a horse. He'd have to get out of dodge too and he'd had just enough money for a horse now, to get him to the next town and the next set of odd jobs-- but those were absolutely the breaks.

[transfigured]

It was a decent evening for a run, Aster thought to himself, as he wove his way through the city streets, a mouse for the cats to chase until he decided to let them catch him. It would be good for their egos, probably, to believe they could keep the upper hand on a frightened, far from home, desperate girl.

There was one rather close call though, one of the watchers a bit cleverer than his friends had decided to try to get ahead of his escape path and flank him. But Aster had seen it just soon enough to throw himself down a narrow alley in the opposite direction, shimmying his way through the narrow gap between two buildings, laughing to himself at the thought of his pursuit trying to do the same given their much larger size. Hilarious. Delightful.

He might have been enjoying himself too much, and eventually realized that he'd probably bought Jhude enough time. So he made a show of slowing, drawing his cloak close about his shoulders and looking around as if he were lost, frightened. And then, yes, there it was. His pursuer appeared in front of him, and another behind.

Some rather unkind words were cast in his direction -- and how dare they say such crude awful things to a young lady, really -- and as much as Aster wanted to stab them a little for the trouble, he let himself instead be apprehended, struggling just enough to make it seem authentic.

It was in the next moment when the watcher not holding him approached with a cloth in his hand, that Aster realized he may have overlooked a problem.

"You had to choose to make this hard, didn't you, bitch? Fine then. We'll bring you to our master one way or another."

Aster tried a bit too late to wrench himself free, but instead that rag was pressed over his nose and mouth and whatever drugs they'd soaked it in soon stilled his struggling, leaving him collapsed in a boneless heap only to be bound and gagged and trussed up, slung over a shoulder like a sack of flour and taken back to the inn.

Jhude would undoubtedly see their return, though the watchers were wise enough to take the back way in to the inn.

"What do we do with her now?" One grumbled as he hefted the unconscious girl further over his shoulder.

"We don't hand her back to her idiot father. That's for certain. Our master wants his bride in his bed by the time the moon goes full. And I'm not risking my ass if that doesn't happen. The old bastard had his chance to deliver his daughter, and he couldn't even do that. She's our package now. We keep her drugged and trussed up, and our lives will be easier for it. Heh. She'll probably enjoy her wedding night more that way anyway."

A laugh at that from the third man. "How long before he plays too rough and breaks this latest toy you think?"

"Ha. She'll be lucky to see the harvest festival."

[unputdownable]

The girl had been grateful and had given him a hug and then she was off on horseback toward the Nuns who would take care of her and see her in the hands of someone who cared for her well being and her freedom, he trusted this. Then he proceeded to sit out and wait for the return of Aster to the inn, you know just to make sure that he got back safe-- because Jhude was not the one to turn tail and run.

'Ere, it was a good thing he did for he saw the three guards carrying a very limp form; alarm shot through him when he saw it, and knew that it couldn't mean anything good.

Therefore he took the roundabout way, following but at a safe distance. They were too busy with their package to note they were being followed and well that was something to be thankful for. Finally at the foot of the steps and placing his hands on the two walls, he felt the door slam through the vibrations on the walls, when it should've been left. Truly unfortunate, that meant that Aster was not safe.. that he'd been caught and well.

No one gets left behind--- guess it was time to cause a ruckus.

And Jhude was very good at causing a ruckus when it came down to it. So he crept silently, stealthily up the stairs and then back to the room that Aster had rented, and then he climbed out of the casement and carefully followed the edge of the roof and closer to where he knew the window to be. It was not the brightest night so he had the cover going for him, he crept his way along the roof and with hood drawn over, he peeked into the edge of the windows, and one til he got to the window in question.

The more asleep, the better, but he'd settle for just one awake.

[transfigured]

Aster was lost to the world. He really hadn't anticipated that he'd be drugged or bound. Who even did that to a harmless young woman?? It was rude and probably also misogyny and he would be lodging a complaint with their boss.

If he was allowed to regain consciousness anyway, which was starting to look unlikely, since his captors had already re-dosed him when he'd woken up mid trip to the inn and made the mistake of squirming. Had he been awake he would have also added rough handling of delicate cargo to his list of complaints when he was dropped unceremoniously in a pile on the floor in the corner of the room.

One of them said something dismissive and stormed off to get a drink. Another posted himself outside the door, and the third, well, the third stayed in the room.

[unputdownable]

The thing was, that it was nearly impossible to sneak into a room so heavily guarded and if he had any self-preservation instinct, he'd let the Bard figure out how to escape on his own-- but that was not Jhude's style by a long shot and with the way that the guard was facing toward the window, he was going to get caught no matter what.

So what did he do? He decided to go for it- and so he attempted to slip into the window. But no sooner then he attempted to pull the casement free, there was a oof and a groan from the first one as he stomped toward the window.

"Oi!" and that would send the one guarding out front as well, to slam into the room with an equal 'Oi'

Guess he was committing to the bit, he glanced over at the pile of petticoats where he knew that Aster was and then he assumed the position; the thing was that he was fast and he could prepare this; it wasn't exactly a surprise and so he hit the first guard right in the neck with a timed punch which had him down with a thump which, okay yes, he'd hit true. That man would be out for the unforseeable future.

And then the second man was at him, with fists, and he managed to dodge right underneath that arm with enough speed that it did not hit whatsoever (thank goodness for an armor class of 17) and then out came the quarterstaff so as the guard ran past, he managed to clock him in the back with his staff, causing the man to let out an oof then he ran for the cloth that he had seen be tossed off to the side.

He grabbed it just as the man came after him once again, to which point he did very clear tuck and roll away, with the guard running face first into the wall where Jhude had been. Now if Jhude had time to actually laugh, he would've-- but he did not. Instead he went in for the grapple and finally managed to snake his arm around the shoulders while he attempted to force the chloroform soaked cloth over nose and mouth.

"Yeah, breath in buddy." he murmured.

And then the man was down cold, with a thud as he did exactly what Jhude wanted. Two bodies on the floor, hopefully not dead-- that was when he started toward the corner where he could gather up Aster. "Hope you don't mind a horse ride..." before he gathered up Aster and then he was moving toward the window, there was a tree that he could climb down that is if he could get Aster down with him.

And just because he attempted a light smack to the face, mentally cringing that he was doing this but if Aster was somewhat lucid this would make it much easier. "I know your out, but I'd really like your presence right about now..."

[transfigured]

It was Jhude's lucky day, because that slap to the face did seem to stir Aster from the drug induced nap. A soft groan and a blearily mumbled, "hey that was uncalled for..." and then a pause, "...or all right I guess I deserved that. 'm not sure which. Please pick the one that applies."

Gods knew it could go both ways with his life. He managed to force his eyes open, and he found himself looking up at... Jhude and his twin? "Didn't know you had a twin... 'm not morally against threesomes."

At the best of times, Aster's filter was incredibly selective when it decided to work. Drugged and only semi-lucid? May fate be kind and show mercy on Jhude.

[unputdownable]

"Thank fuck.." he did not think about if Aster found the slap hot, at this point in time that was not relevant. Instead he whispered against the ear. "So I need you to hold on to me, tight-- we are going through the window and I need you to hold onto me because I won't be able to keep balance unless you do." and in this female form Aster was very very light.

"Arms around my shoulders and we're going back out." he spoke this carefully even as he started to guide Aster out the window and onto the roof; it felt further down but at the very least the moment they got down they wouldn't have to deal with precarious balance again.

Jhude had a feeling that this would land them on some wanted posters but those were the breaks, were they not.

[transfigured]

Aster did his best to focus. He really did, but it felt like looking out through frosted glass, as if the air was thicker than it should be. Sound seemed wrong too, like everything he heard was an echo of the original source of the sound. But he understood enough to grasp that Jhude needed him to do something.`

Hold on.

Right yeah, he could do that.

He wound his arms around Jhude as best he could. "Got it, holding on."

Don't mind him hiding his face against your neck, Jhude. That's fine, right? Totally fine? Even if he also mumbles, "You smell nice."

[unputdownable]

At this moment it was fine, because anything that caused Aster to focus was absolutely needed at this moment; that was how he found himself grabbing onto the rope and then starting to rappel his way downward, though Aster was against his front, so he had to use his arm and leg strength to make sure that he did not drop Aster. "No sound, no movement.. you can sniff my neck as much as you want as long as you do not move."

And then he started the precarious downward descent with rope in hand.

It wasn't pretty, and there were a few times where he had to stop but then he finally touched feet on the ground and he breathed out a sigh of relief, then he looped his arm around Aster's waist and started on a run toward the stables, or as much of a run as he was able-- this was not the most smooth rescue but if it would save them a bit of trouble right now, well that was fine.

"Almost to a horse, once we get to the horse you can sleep all you want.. promise."

[transfigured]

Aster could feel consciousness trying to ebb away, but he held on both to the thin thread of wakefulness and awareness and to Jhude physically. He was vaguely aware they were on the ground soon, and he stumbled along as best he could, his feet on something of a delay.

"My horse 's there. She's a good horse. She's the prettiest horse and really likes apples..." He wasn't sure what he was saying. The words were just flowing as he tried to keep his eyes open. Except they weren't his eyes, they were some woman in trouble's eyes, but she wasn't in trouble anymore, he was and...

"Horse." He nodded, finally.

[unputdownable]

"Horse.." he agreed as they stumbled their way toward the stables. It was only a matter of time and he didn't know how long he had, but time was absolutely of the essence. "Stay with me.. point me in your pretty mare's direction, else we'll be stealing someone's horse and I really don't want to add 'horse theif' to my long list of this night going wrong."

They were now in the stables, 20 minutes under the belt and another 24 minutes until the guard went upstairs and figured out that they had gone; he was shoving the last bit of his money right at the stablehand once he entered, also bribe money.

"Don't tell anyone what direction we went." 20 gold should cover it.

[transfigured]

"We're eloping. Shhhh." Aster added helpfully to the poor stablehand, still hanging unsteadily on Jhude. He at least was trying for some form of subterfuge, and clearly amusing himself since he dissolved into a giggle.

But right his pretty horse. He pointed to the third stall in, a gray mare who darkened to an almost black at her feet, though her mane ad tail were a silver-platinum that shone even in the low lamplight. "There you are my girl, my pretty Moonstone."

The horse seemed to know her owner despite the shape he was currently in, given that she whinnied quietly as they approached and did not hesitate to nuzzle at Aster as soon as he was close enough before snorting at the unpleasant smell of the drug that had been used on him.

[unputdownable]

"I apologize for the state he's in, girl." Jhude said as he very softly patted her neck, he reached over for a handful of apple slices which was in a feed bag and he offered it out. "I am so sorry that we are going to have to curtail your rest a bit short but we really need to get out of here."

Open palm, allowing her to take a bit of a snack.

"But we're going to get all of us to safety, if you'll let me on with your..." he looked over at Aster who was clinging to him and giggling. Well alright, "..Whatever he is.. master? friend? at this time minor annoyance?"

If I hoist you up do you thing you can hold on until I mount behind you?"

[transfigured]

Moonstone whinnied again at Jhude as if to say that she had seen this sorry scoundrel in far worse states, usually of his own doing. Jhude was winning her over quickly, with the soft voice and gentle petting.

And the apples. Moonstone could indeed be bribed and her affections bought. She nibbled at the apples very delicately, not even the slightest brush of teeth to that palm. She was a very polite mare.

"I'm a minor nothing," Aster informed him, reaching out to set a hand against Moonstone's neck as well. "Major annoyance, thank you. But... mm. I can hold on. There's only one of you now, which is probably a good sign." So yeah he could do this. Probably.

[unputdownable]

"Right then, a major pain in the ass.. its nice to see you slowly but surely returning back to the land of the living but now its time to go." Another very gentle pet to the mane and then he grasped Aster's waist and then lifted him up so that he could get his seat, the reins were handed to Aster and then up came Jhude, using a step stool to get himself up after Aster though he was careful not to startle Moonstone in any way.

"My apologies for being so pushy." He said this with a look that was wry even as he took the reins and allowed his arms to act as a cradle foe Aster.

Was he considering that for the time being they were stuck with each other? Maybe a little.

"Now Miss Moonstone if you would do the honours, we will give you a proper rest as soon as we are out of trouble, and plenty of apple slices."

[transfigured]

"That's more like it," Aster agreed. Major pain, yes. Perfect. He reached up to grasp the saddle to help Jhude help him up. He curled his fingers around the reins, swaying far, far too much to the left for a moment. He would've tumbled straight off the other side if Moonstone wasn't quite so good at what she did, sidestepping so that Aster merely thunked his head against the wooden post by the stall wall.

"Ow."

But at least he was still on the horse.

And once Jhude had joined him and those arms were around him he didn't bother trying to hold back from leaning back against him. Partly for balance, yes, but also because Jhude was pleasantly warm and, as previously established, smelled very nice.

Moonstone tossed her head just a bit as if to say here we go and then started out towards the road.

[unputdownable]

"That's a pretty girl." Jhude said when Moonstone had done some quick thinking, there was admiration in his voice that stated that he was maybe a sucker for animals? But as he took up the reigns, he allowed for Aster to fully rest back.

"Just sleep a little bit.. I got you." Jhude said in such a caring and gentle way, and he was strong enough that he could support the other man. He was not tired in the slightest and maybe they would find a barn somewhere to hole up after a bit of riding-- not glamorous but would do in a pinch.

[transfigured]

Moonstone nickered again, pleased with herself and with the compliment, but then fell to quiet, letting Jhude guide her as he wished. She was a cooperative horse, so long as she had decided her rider was someone who merited that cooperation. Jhude had clearly passed the test.

Aster meanwhile, was quietly trying not to be smitten at how good his new friend was with his mare. He did get the sense that this was probably a man who had a way with beasts in general.

For a few moments he tried to be stubborn about sleeping, but the drugs were still in his system and Jhude saying I got you did something very funny to his heart. Thinking about that was too complicated, and letting himself doze off meant he didn't have to worry about thinking. Much better.

[unputdownable]

"Its just us, Lady Gem." He said once he heard the slight snore coming from Aster. He followed the road however he also opted to go left at every crossroad they got to until he decided on right, moving away from the city-- he figured that they would not want to go too far afield, any potential pursuers and at this very intricate point it was anyones guess but he would ride through the night and avoid stopping at inns.

Finally at dawn he found an old abandoned barn in the middle of a field, he decided it would do as a resting point until Aster could become more with it and they determined what their next course of action was.

Also it may help that they were looking for a young redheaded woman and not a dark haired bard.

Maybe things had worked out for the best after all.

[transfigured]

Moonstone didn't seem at all put out by the fact that her usual rider was passed out in the arms of someone she'd only just met. After all, the someone she'd just met had talked sweetly and pet her and fed her apples. If that didn't make Jhude trustworthy she didn't know what else did. She was a good judge of character. Or easily swayed by snacks. Perhaps both.

Aster, however, dozed, occasionally opening his eyes long enough to see they were still moving before cozying himself right back in against Jhude. Warm.

When the horse eventually drew to a stop, he lifted his head slowly to look around. "Did we make a clean escape?"

[unputdownable]

Jhude had been pondering how to wake up Aster without startling him (could not have the other man falling off the horse, because he'd likely follow suit. However a sigh of relief when he woke up organically, much easier to explain everything and also to hopefully get off Moonstone with too much shenanigans.

"So, we did not make a clean escape. It was actually very messy, so the best bet is to camp it out here for at least a day; I don't think they have to worry about recognizing you so you'll probably be safe enough."

But Jhude hasn't disguised himself with anything but his cloak and it was likely they may have gotten a bit of hint of him.

"No use worrying about it now though.."

[transfigured]

Aster's brow furrowed at this bit of information. No, it would not be an issue for him. No one other than Jhude had seen so much as a hint of the face he normally wore. He'd probably let the Cyprus persona retire for a while just in case, but he had more than one character in his repertoire.

But Jhude wasn't quite so lucky. He'd apparently been seen.

And he'd apparently been seen rescuing Aster. And why the hell had he done that? They barely knew each other, and Jhude's goal of doing the right thing in saving the damsel in distress had been accomplished. He didn't have to come back for the sketchy changeling bard he'd only just met, no matter if said changeling had gotten himself in a bit over his head.

But Jhude had come back from him. It didn't sit right with Aster at all to know the other man would have that shadow of trouble hanging over him for his sake. "Too late, I'm worrying. But it sounds like we'll have some time on our hands, so may as well put it to use." With the worrying.

[unputdownable]

"I am sure that Moonstone here would like some apples, and we did pass an orchard on the way here, just a hop skip and a jump, we can filch a few apples and there was a stream where we can get water." he was better served thinking about their survival, Jhude did not have time to worry overmuch about such things.

"Now, how are you feeling? Will you be able to get off Miss Gem unassisted? Wouldn't want you to take an inelegant tumble."

Here he was sticking around instead of going anywhere, making plans to hunker down for the next day if needed. "And really, you don't have to worry, it's not the first time I've been in a spot of trouble and it won't be the last. If I ride further toward one of the main cities, I'll be fine.. easier to blend in cities, though I like them a lot less then small towns."

[transfigured]

Moonstone tossed her head because apparently she knew the word apples and knew it well. Aster chuckled, leaning forward to pet the horse's neck lightly. Good girl.

"I may need a hand. I'm feeling more securely attached to this consciousness thing, but the world is still a bit... topsy-turvy." He felt unsettled in his body, and that was strange for him, given that he was used to his body in all sorts of shapes. It was a vulnerable, terrible feeling, but he was trying not to let on -- or really, to admit it to himself -- and instead glanced over his shoulder at Jhude.

He batted his borrowed eyelashes at the blond man. "If you don't mind playing gallant rescuer a moment or two more. I'll let you off the hook for it soon, I promise."