Baby Scale (Dragonsong)

[homeboy!]

"He went this way!" A guard shouted as they chased the scoundrel through the back alleys of Seleva's market district. The individual fleeing pursuit seemed to have no intention of being caught, pushing over crate and civilian alike to put more steps between himself and law enforcement. Eventually, he made a turn into an alley out of sight of the guards, and managed to melt into the shade.

Patrols continued on for hours, Alto had still not been caught, and had no plans of doing so. Despite his large frame, he concealed himself quite well, moving between barrels and shipments with his scarf wrapped around the lower half of his face, lest he be recognized. Just as he planned to make his escape into the lower city, he spotted a large patrol moving into the area.

"It's never easy." He sighed to himself, he would need to find somewhere to hide out until the patrols settled down.

"Eenie meenie miney.." He listed off as he looked through the civilians that worked the stalls that lined the area. His attention centered on a young woman stood behind a cart filled with flowers.

He was behind her in an instant, moving to press his crossbow to her back, ducked behind the card, keeping himself out of sight of the guards.

"I hope you didn't plan on doing anything stupid today, miss." He offered the woman, his expression couldn't be seen from behind the scarf, but his mouth was spread into a charming grin.

"Mind if we take this conversation somewhere a bit more private? Your place, maybe?"

[DragonSong]

“...You’ve got the wrong girl.”

It was the first thing in her head, and then the first thing out of her mouth. She knew she should be afraid—terrified—but gods it had been so long since she’d fed, she could only summon up the shadow of true emotion.

She was still in his grip, barely breathing as she felt the crossbow bolt pressing against the small of her back.

“I don’t have a place,” she told the unseen threat behind her, barely moving her lips and keeping her voice low. “This isn’t even my cart.” She shifted the basket of flowers on her arm subtly to make her point; she’d been filching a few of the prettiest blooms to add to her own collection in the hope of making a few more sales before the end of the day.

“So. Unless you want us both brought up before the guard, maybe we should back away?” The suggestion was bland, though there was a slight hitch to her voice as she tried to take a small step sideways and the bolt’s head scratched at her skin, drawing a soft hiss of pain.

[homeboy!]

"Careful where you move Seri, iron in these bolts." The statement came as less of a warning and more of a threat. She was right, though, the longer the two remained there the more at risk he was of being found out. If she was telling the truth, and had no place to go, it would complicate things heavily. He couldn't just pick someone else, she could go to the guards, but taking her with him would just add to his current issues. He should really find a better way of picking out leverage, but that was a subject for later.

"Back this way. Carefully." he'd use his free hand to tug on her wrist, leading her back behind the alley from which he emerged.

[DragonSong]

What choice did she really have? Gritting her teeth, Adrianna allowed him to drag her back one step at a time.

She wanted to be afraid. She actually did—it would at least be something. But the most she could manage was a vague sense of unease, a pit in her stomach and a slight buzzing in her head.

"Where exactly are you planning on going?" she hissed out of the corner of her mouth. One hand—the one he was using to pull her along—still clutched at her basket, but the other drifted slowly, carefully, toward her skirt. Toward the slim knife in a hidden sheath strapped to her thigh.

She still couldn't see him, wouldn't risk turning her head to look. Maybe...maybe if she played along, she'd get a shot at bare skin. May as well try to feed before she figured out an escape, right?

[homeboy!]

"Nice and easy," He continued to speak softly, "don't do anything foolish and things won't get too messy." He reminded her, keeping a careful eye on the guards as he pressed his crossbow a bit deeper into her back, allowing the iron bolt to pierce the woman's skin just enough to draw a little blood. He'd continue pulling her along until the two were safely out of view, until the two were in a dimly lit alley, the passing rabble of the streets moving by without giving them much of a second glance.

Alto gave a small sigh, before turning to face the woman, leaning in ever so slightly, crossbow still in hand. "Got a name, miss?" He asked as he eyed her carefully, getting a good look at her as he thought on his next move.

[DragonSong]

She hissed again. Iron. Whatever she was, she knew she must have more than a drop of faerie blood like most Serenians—iron hurt.

She tried to ignore the brief, burning sensation in her blood. And tried not to miss the warmth when it had faded. Her eyes flickered around, taking stock of their surroundings. One of her little “secret gardens” wasn’t too far from here. If she could just slow him down, distract him long enough for her to get a head start...

She took advantage of the brief moment, before he turned to face her but when he’d moved the crossbow, to slide her free hand into the long slit in her skirt, wrapping her fingers around the hilt of her knife. She shifted toward the wall, trying to keep the motion hidden.

“...Adrianna.” She met his eyes fearlessly—but it wasn’t boldness, not really. She knew if he looked close enough, he would see just how little she could muster up, the apathy that had been eating away at her edges. She wasn’t brave; she just couldn’t be afraid.

But she could muster something. A tiny flash of defiance. “And who exactly do I have the pleasure of being accosted by?” She quirked one eyebrow at him, normally soft mouth drawn into a harsh line.

[homeboy!]

Alto mistook the young woman's apathy for courage, and smirked slightly, a commendation for her bravery in her current predicament. "Adrianna," Honeyed words came with a soft glance, as he raised his hand to press the crossbow to her forehead. "a hostage who knows your name might as well be a corpse." He held her gaze for a moment, letting several beats of silence go by before finally breaking the silence with a laugh.

"Kidding! Only messing with you, I promise." He assured her, stowing his weapon before lowering his scarf around his neck, revealing his face to her. "Alto," He responds simply. "And the pleasure is all mine."

Peering his head around the corner, it seemed like the parties pursuing him had died down a bit, leaning closer to a group of patrols rather than an active search. Looking back to woman, he moved to grab her by the hand, offering her an amused smile. "Try not to look so dour, Adrianna, if everything goes well you'll be back to stealing daisies in no time."

Gesturing her to take a step back out of the alleys and into the streets, he spoke, "Please, after you, miss."

[DragonSong]

Her heartbeat skipped, fluttered, as the crossbow bolt pressed against her temple. But that was all the fear she could muster up.

Strange, how her curse could prove useful in the oddest situations.

She continued to stare at him in blank silence as he laughed and lowered the weapon. Her own hand shifted, rolling her wrist and giving a deft flick so she could slide the knife up into her sleeve--not the most well hidden, but close enough to be in easy access and subtle enough, as long as she could keep him on the other side of her body.

Before she had a chance to try to break away though, he'd grabbed her other hand and she gasped.

Warmth.

Her skin was so cold to the touch, it almost seemed as though she'd been sleeping out in the snow, no matter that it was only early autumn. And the heat of his hand was such a shock that it was almost painful; she had to take a careful breath to keep from giving more of a reaction than that single, sharp breath.

Her body strained against her her careful control, aching to reach out with her strange magic to feed. No. No no no. Not yet. She couldn't risk him feeling her feeding, however it manifested for him. He might just shoot her on principle.

So Adrianna took another breath and stepped back out onto the street as he directed. "Where am I meant to be going?" she asked quietly, tone perfectly even. The only indication of her inner turmoil was the way her hand tightened instinctively around his. Perhaps he'd think it was another fear response--she hoped so, at least.