((OOC: Sorry for such a long wait! >_< Also, you forgot to tag the thread. Just so you know.))
"Sir...Is going out such a wise idea?"
Livius shot the young man a look. The guard adjusted his helmet which slopped on his head – being a little too large for him. He gave a wary smile, his eyes not catching the Ambassador's whose were staring right at him. This is what they sent him for protection?. It was a joke! The boy hardly looked past sixteen; still in those very awkward years where his limbs didn't know which way they wanted to grow.
"And why, pray tell...Is it not a wise idea?" Livius said, his voice holding the same venom his glance did. The guard shifted uncomfortably, Livius held some height over him, though even without it the mere glare of bright yellow eyes, he found, could stir fearful minds. There were some benefits to all this...
"Because of the moon...Sir?" It seemed the young man had to force that sentence out of his mouth, and looked to be flinching before he had said anything in retort. Livius snorted, and turned away, leaning down to scratch Colonel behind the ears. The dog slowly wagged his tail, the sound making patting noises upon the ground.
"That does not pertain to me. Do you think I am some werewolf?"
"Well-"
"Do not finish that sentence unless you want to come back in more than one piece."
The guard fell silent, his eyes very wide and his mouth pressed into a tight thin line. Not a rising star, it was quite obvious. Livius would have felt his words were a tad harsh if the young man was not Serenian, and if he had not blurted out the Ambassador's concerns. He felt the pang of paranoia rise up. People knew. However, he did not have to recognize it. Although the moon...
Above him, above the streets of Arca, through the breaks in an overlay of clouds he could see the pale shape of the moon peeking through. By its form, he only had a few short days. He could feel it. The beast inside him wanting to be let out – he never considered it a part of himself; it was a curse. And his body a host for a monster he wished everyday to be rid of. Which is why he continued his search tonight, though as a man and not a wolf. It was too risky at this time. In his lupine body his human mind would be far too weak. Not being able to come back weighed heavily on his choices. Though it seemed, as it stood, he did not have to be secretive. That worried him too.
He gave a heavy sigh. "You might as well follow me the rest of the way. No need to attempt to hide in the shadows. With that armor- Why are you wearing so much of it?"
The rest of their walk, quite surprisingly, was filled with an idle banter. Yet the nervousness in the young guard never waned. This made Livius pleased. Good, he mused.
Livius stopped at the door of a quaint little tavern, so unlike the ones he was used to seeing in Connlaoth. Serendipity, with its soldiers who had swords sheathed to their sides, was very primitive to him. It had been a culture shock when he had first stepped onto Serenian soil. It seemed so long ago...
He held up a hand to stop the guard from following him in. "You're too young for this. Stay."
He stepped forward in rebellion of Livius' words. But it was not the Ambassador whom stopped him in his tracks. A low rumble of a growl came from Colonel –as if very much understanding its owner's intentions. This seemed to quell the matter.
The tavern inside was nothing extraordinary. He had seen better. Though, its appearance does not work against its purpose. For some reason taverns everywhere had an ability to attract oddities. Perhaps this was the night he would garner a lead. He was running out of options. He was relieved that as he walked in, no one turned to look who the newcomer was. All were more or less concerned with nursing the drinks in front of them, or too deep in conversation. So many Serenians in one place, he said darkly to himself. He could literally feel the magic enclosed in the small space; sending shivers down his spine and making him feel uncomfortable. His stomach tied into knots and already he felt the need to leave.
Colonel padded along side him loyally. The barkeep was the only one to notice, it seemed, the breed of the dog. Livius met his eyes, and shook his head. Great, he thought, we have someone that is worldly. Nevertheless, he ordered a drink, he did not want to be like more of an outsider than he already was. While because of his speech, the Connlaoth style of accent, there was a possibility his nationality would be guess. However, he was dressed as plainly as everyone else, more or less. A light travelers cloak draped over his shoulders to steal the image of his tail from view.
When he was handed his drink the barkeep added: "Don't cause any trouble, ya hear?" loud enough for a good number of people to hear. Livius grimaced.
