For one thing to be born, another must die; that is how the stars are born, that light up our night sky. REBOOT // OxO // CLOSED

Elara’s scheming look switched almost immediately, to an almost uncharacteristically bright smile. Though not quite, because that same smile had made an appearance when she was with Mack. “Perfect.” She left it at that, spinning on her heel and almost falling, but pretending she hadn’t.

A few minutes and some sketchy looking people later, music and laughter could be heard, and the source could be seen as they turned onto another street. The doors to a tavern were propped open, a few clusters of people of varying levels of sobriety standing outside and talking. A shout of ‘everybody watch your wallets!’ could be heard as somebody caught sight of Elara, followed by laughter and waves, and called greetings.

Kieran gave a sharp nod, staying close to her as they drew closer to the tavern. His eyes flickered around the people around them cautiously, hand tightening on his sword hilt almost automatically.

“Not any more! The little thief has money now!” Declan called back, stepping forward to slap Elara’s shoulder, earning him an elbow to the side.

“Maybe, but there’s jus’ somethin’ bout takin’ the money tha’s irreplaceable.” Elara said dramatically, ducking out of the way of a hand coming to ruffle her hair, her hand slipping back into her pocket after taking Declan’s wallet and replacing it with a rock that weighed the same.

So she's a thief. Interesting. Kieran thought, sticking close to Elara. He himself was not worried. He had nothing of value, and even if he did, he wasn't worried about being stolen from. Most people didn't steal from Thari. For one, because of how big they were. Two, because they never had anything worth stealing in the first place.

Declan snorted at that, veering off to go chat with a group of men, unaware of his missing wallet. Elara greeted almost everyone she passed, before leading the way into the tavern. Where she was immediately attached by a woman with sky and pepper hair.

“Tia! You’re gonna squeeze all o’ the air outta me!” Elara said amidst laughter, returning the hug after a moment. The attention that had been drawn to them faded as everyone inside went back to drinking and talking, the music playing loudly.

“It would serve you right! Not coming by at all, for months! You know I cannot trust that Declan’s word on anything!”

Kieran watched quietly, crossing his arms again. He shifted from foot to foot, knowing he wasn't exactly inconspicuous in a place like this. What with the horns, hair, and eyes. Basically everything about him, really.

“If ya killed me, I couldn’ introduce ya t’ Kieran here.” Elara pointed out, and was instantly released by the woman, who rounded on Kieran.

Sharp grey eyes scanned the Thari up and down, looking very much like they could see straight through him. And then Tia was beaming, holding out her hand instead of pulling him into a hug. “Illana Mendez, call me Tia, dear. Everyone around here does.”

Kieran shook her hand. "Kieran." He said. Who is this woman? And why in the twelve hells does she look so…like she can see right through me? And so happy to see me? She doesn't know anything about me.

"Kieran. I knew a man by the same name years ago, though I have to say, he was not nearly half as good-looking as you. Bit of a bum, if you ask me." Tia said, shaking Kieran's hand with a firm grip before releasing it. She ushered both of them through the crowded tavern, out of the way of the door and towards the kitchen doors. "So! What is it that brings you around these parts, and with our dear little thief as well?"

"I am…escorting her highness." Kieran replied slowly, blinking as he took in this woman's words. "That is all." The Thari adjusted his sleeves to make sure they covered his scars, and stayed with Elara. Why did everyone ask why he was with the princess? He was clearly in the uniform of a guard, which he would think obviously meant he was a guard, but apparently people didn't notice that.

“Fancy titles now, little thief?” Tia asked, a teasing note to her voice as she looked back at Elara. “Should I start calling you princess as well?”

“Only if I’m never comin’ back here again.” Elara said, shaking her head and making a face. She knew Tia, and knew very well that that hadn’t been an insinuation at anything between her and Kieran. Tia, like Declan, wasn’t one for subtlety. She would say something if she thought there was.

Kieran sighed softly, but said nothing. It wasn't his place to speak. It really wasn't. It vaguely irritated him that people kept speaking to him. It wasn't his job to speak, it was his job to stay silent, and stay with the princess. That was it.

“Well, we cannot have that, can we.” Tia motioned to a table near the kitchen doors, an obvious order to sit down that Elara followed almost instantly. Elara, the girl who played games with those technically in charge of her well before listening to them, I’d ever, willingly sat down when this lady told her to.

“I will bring you food, and expect it eaten.”

“A’ight, a’ight. No need t’ get bossy. Take a seat ktherion, ya can’ jus’ eat standin’.”

Kieran sat down after a moment. "I can eat standing." He replied. I can do a lot of things that most people can't. Because of how I was raised. I know how to make myself fade into the background, how to make myself forgettable despite the horns and height.

Elara slumped in her chair, reaching up and removing her diadem to tuck it in her bag. The glow to her freckles was fading, if slowly, but was still lingering there. “More comfortable.” She said simply, her head turning to scan the crowds in the tavern with a slightly reminiscent look. She’d sat in this exact spot with her mother multiple times, watching for easy targets, people new to the area and varying money in obvious places. Everywhere she went had memories she didn’t want to think about, but she couldn’t let go of them anyway.

Kieran watched her for a moment, then turned, eyes flickering over the tavern. His eyes narrowed slightly as he recognized a man standing at the side. This man had been very good friends with one of his owners, once. About five years ago. Would he recognize Kieran, or not? He hoped not. That would be…could be catastrophic. What could happen.

“One time, when I was eleven summers or so, my mom took me t’ this exact place.” Elara said, only half aware she was talking as the memory played out like a movie in her mind. “Tha’ was the day I met Declan. Few years older’n me, trainin’ t’ join the guild out here. Stole his wallet, he threatened t’ cut me’ an’ I cut ‘I’m first. Ma though it was hilarious.”

Kieran blinked, looking at her. Does she know she is speaking aloud? He nodded. "I see." He replied softly, drumming one of hisnhands against the tabletop, thinking. His eyes kept darting to the man across the room, then away again.

“He tried t’ kill me once again after that.” Elara snorted, shaking her head. “Guild assignment, until they realized who ‘zactly I was.” She blinked, glancing over at Kieran and following his gaze. “Somethin’ up, ktherion?”

Kieran gave a quick shake of his head. "No." He replied easily. One of his hands was shaking slightly, as it always did when he was nervous. Please don't come over here. Not you. Not of all people. He thought, casting another glance at the man. "I am just… antsy, i suppose."

((Aaa if you’re hinting at me puppeting the guy and bringing him over I’m horrible at taking hints))

“New places can do tha’.” Elara said with a nod, though it was obvious she didn’t believe him. She was giving him an out though, knowing that some things were better left alone. If he wanted to talk, he would, and she would be hypocritical of her to expect anything more.

(nah you're fine. I'm not. I was planning on bringing him over myself in a bit maybe XD)

Kieran nodded. Yes…new places. Not people that… Memories flickered through his head. Hands all over him- -"you don't get to tell me no"- he took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment.

“Ya dance at all?” Elara asked suddenly, changing topic randomly. She was prone to that on occasion, as her mind switched tracks from one thing to another.

Kieran blinked, opening his eyes. "Do I…? I…can, yes." He replied. Don't ask why don't ask why don't ask why. He swallowed. You don't get to ask why you don't get to say no you have no rights and you have no control. He took a deep breath, forcing his thoughts away.

"No' can, I mean is it somethin' ya like doin'?" Elara tilted her head, kicking her boots up onto the table and pushing her hair out of her face with one hand. Something about the lighting in the tavern almost made her seem to glow, literally, like her skin just took the light and used it again.

He shrugged. "I…have never had much time for anything of the sort." He replied slowly. Why does it matter? No you don't get to ask that, remember? You don't get to question it. Ever. Never. He swallowed, running a hand over his horn slowly.

"Time or not, ya look antsy. I was wonderin' if ya'd rather go dance than sit here'n be stuck with nothin' but me for company." She said, motioning to the dance floor area, near the corner stage where a live band was playing something heavy on fiddle-use. Her foot bounced along with the music, following as though she'd heard the song before, or was just incredibly good at finding the beat in any song.

"I… alright." He said slowly, standing up. His orange eyes flickered emotionlessly over the people dancing. He sighed softly, adjusting the sleeves on his uniform again, fingers tapping on his sword hilt for a moment. Is she asking to dance with me, or is she just telling me to dance?

"Ya know ya ain't required to, right? 'S a suggestion, since sitting seems t' be definitely not your favorite thing." Elara raised a pale eyebrow up at him, before looking to the dancefloor. "Wan' a dancin' partner, or d'ya prefer dancin' alone?" Part of her was asking because she wanted to dance herself, hadn't done so in forever. But she was a bit more concerned with getting Kieran to do something that he'd be a bit more comfortable doing.

He shrugged. "I may as well." He hesitated, then shrugged again. "I…do not know. I haven't danced much before." -"dance with me, thra."- he blinked, pushing away the memory again, as he did so many times with so many memories.