Johnson shook his head, looking up at the sky for a moment as though thinking. "Kid, she grew up free in more ways than you, bu' she was always shackled by the responsibility o' keepin' herself alive on these streets. The Slums ain' kind t' anyone, but especially not little girls. The freedom she did have, she kept a tigh' hold on, righ' up 'till she lost it, jus' t' keep herself fed." He looked back down at Kieran, looking almost sad. "She don' say it, but tha' palace an' the people in it are chainin' her up, figuratively. Different than what you mighta known, but chains still. They wan' her t' change and let 'em use her like a puppet."
Kieran listened, and shrugged. "And i don't have anything to do with it. I am a guard, working off the money to pay for my freedom. That is all. I don't see what you expect me to do. I will not bend or break the rules for her, because that could result in problems. I will not disobey orders." That had been beaten into him many times over the years. Never, ever disobey. If that means you die…well, there are always more Thari where you came from.
“Not sayin’ ya should, kid. Guess I’m just tryin’ t’ give ya an idea o’ where she’s comin’ from. Ya both had it rough, and I guess I’ll never quite get that.” Johnson sighed, uncrossing his arms and straightening. “I’m wishin’ ya luck, and askin’ ya t’ take care o’ her. She ain’t got many people willin’ to, and the gods know she won’ do it herself. Cmon back inside, kid, it’s gettin too chilly out here. Ya thirsty or somethin’?” He asked, already starting back for the back door.
Kieran followed him almost automatically. "I…will do my best." He replied. "And no, I'm not thirsty. I'm fine." He had had to work for hours in the sun, without water. He really would be fine.
“Tha’s all I need t’ hear.” Johnson said, pushing open the door and stepping in, holding open for Kieran to step inside. “Ya sure? There ain’t much in the kitchen, but help yerself t’ whatever is. No offense meant, but ya look way too thin kid.”
Kieran shrugged slightly. "No, I'm fine." He said as he walked inside. "Really." He would be fine until dinner. Whenever that was. Even if there wasn't dinner, he'd be fine. He always was. He didn't need much food.
“If ya say so. Feel free if ya change yer mind.” Johnson said, setting the bag on a side table before heading down the hall towards Mack’s room. “Ellie, how many times am I gonna have t’ tell ya t’ stop bringin’ us money?”
“Ya know exactly why I do, Johnson!” Elara called back, stepping out of the room with Mack on her shoulders, both grinning. “Ya can’ worry ‘bout the medicine on top of food and the house.”
Kieran noticed that the princess had the same accent as the man Johnson, and the little girl, though he didn't comment on it. He remained silent, watching. His hair was starting to come out of the bun he had put it in.
Johnson shook his head, frowning dramatically. “Ya should be more worried ‘bout yourself than us. Other people are, obviously.” He said, hooking a thumb over his shoulder at Kieran.
Kieran sighed softly. "It's my job." He said with a shrug. Then he inhaled slightly, looking away. Stop talking. Don't speak unless spoken to. It doesn't matter what they say about you. He reminded himself. He reached back and redid the loose bun keeping his hair back, silent, keeping his eyes on the ground.
“Leagues ahead o’ her own care for herself though.” Johnson said, raising an eyebrow at Elara when she, of all things, stuck her tongue out at him. “Speakin’ o’, much as I love havin’ ya here, you two should get back, ‘fore the King sends out a party t’ come getcha.”
Kieran nodded, but remained quiet. Silent unless spoken to, and only use as many words as are absolutely necessary. He reminded himself, silent.
"O' course you agree with 'im." Elara grumbled, wrinkled her nose dramatically at Kieran. Oddly enough, she listened to Johnson though, swinging Mack down from her shoulders to give the girl a lingering hug, like she wasn't ready to leave. When she did let go, she straightened, giving Johnson a twofingered salute as she stepped backwards down the hall, knowing Kieran would follow. "I'll see ya two soon! Take care o' eachother."
Kieran was silent still as he followed her, still mentally berating himself. He may not have been a slave anymore, but habit was hard to break. You dont say a word, remember? Unless a question is specifically addressed to you, you don't speak. People like you should be seen and not heard. He swallowed slightly, careful not to knock his head on anything as they left.
Elara only turned to look at Kieran once they had left the small home, followed by plenty of goodbyes from Mack and Johnson both. It was to take the mask back, to dispose of properly, but she hesitated when she seemed to catch sight of something in her guard's gaze. "Er-you a'ight?" She finally asked, after mulling over the probability of him even answering in her head for a moment.
(welcome back!)
Kieran pulled the mask off, orange eyes blank. "I'm fine, your highness." He replied calmly, holding the mask in one hand. He wondered what sickness the little girl had, that they had to wear masks to even go inside.
((Thank you! It's good to be back!))
Elara carefully reached out, taking the mask from Kieran and tucking it into a pocket on her bag, furrowing her brows. "Ya sure? Ya look kinda…out of it. Got other things on your mind, huh?" The least she could do was be civil. Besides, she was obviously still in a good mood from visiting Mack, despite knowing that she would probably have to answer questions about the girl's illness, and why it affected everyone else but Elara.
(no problem! I bet it is)
Kieran nodded again. "I'm fine." He repeated. He shook his head slightly. The loose bun still held his curly hair back from his face, except for a few strands. He was handsome, in his own way, but…well. He was Thari. Thari didn't tend to date outside their own kind, especially not marry. They were compatible with other species, sure. Could have kids. But they simply chose not to. That, of course, might be because they were slaves.
Elara snorted at that, shaking her head as a memory was brought to mind. When she’d repeated the same thing to her mother, with two broken fingers from grabbing at an overhang to keep from falling. “You say so.” Good features, incredible eyes. She hated it, but she had to admit, he was good looking. Too bad he was so tall, and her guard. And a Thari on top of that. All together a bad combination for the small Princess, who relied on reading emotions to keep ahead of the game. Like talking to a brick wall.
"I do." Kieran agreed with a slight shrug. "It's not as if you could contradict me." He bit his lower lip, realizing that that wasn't, perhaps, the best thing to say. Could get whipped for that. She said she wouldn't hurt me but…can I trust that? Can i trust anyone? He looked away, face still expressionless.
“Rude.” Elara huffed, her lips twitching as she looked forward once more. Like she was trying hard not to laugh at that. “Bu’ true.”
Kieran glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, surprised. Most people wouldn't…just agree with me. At the least, I'd get slapped for backtalk. He thought, shaking his head slightly.
Elara fell quiet for a little bit longer, old memories flickering through her mind in a bittersweet slideshow. Her hand shifted to the hilt of her mother’s dagger, as an emotion the closest to sadness she’d show passed over her face. Where are you, mom? I’m not sure how much longer I can do this. “I don’ wanna go back yet, but I kinda hafta, don’ I?”
Kieran shrugged slightly. "Technically, I can't tell you what to do unless your life is in danger. So. Consider this your reminder to head back soon, but I can't stop you if you remain out here longer." He said, then wondered why he was giving her that help of letting her stay out if she wished. He shouldn't have let her leave the castle in the first place, and now he's helping her stay out of it? Gods, he was doomed.
She flickered a surprised look his way, though gratitude flashed in her eyes as she looked away again. “One more stop.” Elara said, more to herself than anyone else, as she cut down a side-street. “Then I’ll go back.”
Kieran nodded, and followed her quickly. People turned to watch him, he knew, but he paid them no mind. Adjusting his sleeves to cover the scars, he kept following Elara, silent.
Elara's steps almost seemed eager as she led the way through the streets, ducking into an alley a few minutes later. “Hope ya can climb,” Was all she said as she headed straight for a pipe along the side of one of the buildings making up the walls of the alley, the metal stretched to the gutter about ten or so feet up.
Kieran raised an eyebrow. "If it can hold my weight, yes." He replied as he followed her. He waited for her to lead the way, as he didn't know which way she was wanting to go. He looked around, keeping an eye out for anyone approaching.
Without an answer, Elara began to climb. She was quick and practiced, like she’d done it plenty of times, using the walls and the bent bits of the pipe, whatever she could, as foot and handholds. A minute later, she was on the shingled roof, her face up to the evening sky and eyes closed, taking in the little sun cutting through the clouds of Slum smog and fog from the wharves nearby. “Your turn.”
Kieran sighed, and cast a critical eye at the height of the building. He backed up, and, getting a running start, leapt upwards. He grabbed the gutter with one hand, and pulled himself up without having to use the pipes and handholds. He stood up, looking down at her. "Easy." He said, the faintest trace of a smile ghosting across his features, before vanishing.
