chitona | for beamer

[ leaving home at eighteen seemed like the right thing to do. there was nothing left for eddie munson in the small town where he grew up. parents that seemed dismayed when he had no interest in courting a young maiden and starting a household of his own. no, eddie's passion was the arts, was music, and this town was far too boring and dull to appreciate his talents.

so, he set off on foot with his lute in hand and sought out each town, only stopping if their tavern allowed musicians to set up shop. which, much to his dismay, were far fewer than he had hoped there would be. perhaps the world at large simply did not appreciate the arts. but he was determined; perhaps the cities would be more forgiving for a bard.

which is how he found himself in druedale, with a coin purse much too light and a heart far too heavy. it was easy to get discouraged. this will be my last hope he thinks to himself as he searches for a tavern. if he doesn't manage to find a captivated audience who will throw coin his way, perhaps it is time to give up his dreams and find something more practical, as his parents would claim.

as he hadn't had coin enough to pay for a breakfast, he trudges along to find an inn that will let him board and dine in exchange for playing entertainment that evening. his exhaustion is certainly starting to show in the way he drags his feet, hardly paying attention to where he is going and who is walking towards him in the opposite direction. so much so that he practically collides into someone, his lute nearly getting jostled off his back before eddie dives to rescue it before it can tumble to the ground. ]

Shit! I'm so fucking sorry, I didn't see anyone there, honest! [ he winces, half expecting this stranger to immediately flag down a sheriff and have him clapped in irons for daring to exist in his presence. ]

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( steve's not really looking where he's going when someone collides into him, sending him stumbling back a little and nearly tripping over a trough that had been right behind him. he's lucky, at least, that his back collides with a beam and he doesn't end up on his ass.

it would be a shitty way to end a day that's barely even started. it's morning but steve's been up since before the sun rose, had to make sure he made his escape from the castle's walls before the guards awoke.

it's probably strange that the crown prince of a kingdom is amongst the common people, dressed in a squires armor and on his own. but he's unlikely to be recognized, really, because outside the walls of the keep steve's an enigma to the people, rarely seen. his parents seem to think it's dangerous out in the world, that his duties need not take him elsewhere but he feels like a bird in a gilded cage.

what he wants is adventure, to get out and to see the world and do something good in it. beyond the stuff that's expected of him; steve's not exactly military minded like his father, nor does have an understanding of the inner workings of the merchants like his mother does coming from a wealthy family herself. it's-- he thinks he'll be better off if he can get his hands dirty, put all the swords skills to use. do.

which is why he's snuck out.

does he have a plan? no. this was the plan so far. ) Hey. No, it's fine. I wasn't looking either.

( he winces, reaches up to run a hand through his hair. ) Is your-- sorry. Are you okay? Is your lute okay?

[ most people might be able to recognize the crown prince up close even in squire armor. but eddie isn't exactly from around here, nor does he even think to be looking for said crown prince. to eddie's eyes, steve makes a pretty convincing squire, but he is still every bit as gracious and polite as if steve were royalty. he knows that bards aren't universally liked, and does not wish to be banned from yet another tavern.

though, he also does happen to be a bit more concerned over the state of his lute than anything else. because if his lute is damaged, then he has no hope of earning enough coin for a meal that night. ]

I'm fine, don't worry about me, I always bounce back. [ he flashes a grin, standing up tall, but the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. ] I'm sure she's fine, too. [ ]he plucks the strings one by one just to make sure, and although it could probably use a good tuning, she does seem to be just fine.

Where are you headed in such a hurry? I was going to head to the tavern, but perhaps there is somewhere more exciting for me to set up shop for the day? [ and, okay, yes part of his motivation is to make enough coin to earn a place to sleep for the night, but he also isn't quite ready to part from this stranger just yet. he always did have a weakness for pretty boys, though the world wasn't exactly too kind to bards with a weakness for pretty boys. ]

She? ( it's just the two of them here and for a moment steve doesn't quite understand who else the bard means, before he's plucking at the strings of his lute. it's not a tune, no, but he can't tell if the thing needs tuning either way.

steve appreciates music, he does, but only the popular ballads that come through the walls of the palace and the amongst members of the king's court. it's kind of pathetic, he thinks, when he realizes how unworldly he probably would seem to this traveller.

where was he going is a hard question. steve hesitates because other than 'out' there isn't really an answer. the tavern, though, well that's a good idea. he wants to find a way to help people and surely someone in the tavern would be talking about a misfortune, about something they need help with. still, staying in the walls of the capitol, at least so close to the keep, is dangerous. so he can't say he's heading there. he can't.

so. ) I was heading toward the outer city. To a tavern there, actually.

( totally convincing, he's sure. ) I heard of some trouble... It might not be that exciting. ( but there's something about this man, this bard, well, that steve's a little drawn to him. he can't place why there feels like there's a pull. ) But you're welcome to join.

She, [ eddie confirms, stroking a finger down the neck of the lute and offers steve a wicked grin with a twinkle in his eyes. he's about to tease steve with lewd innuendo involving said lute, but he's quickly distracted by steve suggesting he tag along.

and while the idea of running into trouble isn't exactly thrilling for eddie, the prospect of getting to hang around steve a little longer is enough to convince him. besides, he doesn't fancy getting into a disagreement over what makes good music with the simpler folk.

so outer city it is. ]

Tell you what, then. You protect me from the trouble and I'll see if I can't earn us both room and board for the night. [ surely he's got to have some luck, even if it involves charming the innkeeper and promising to play their favorite song. along with other promises, that may or may not risk eddie ending up with a slap across his face. ]

[ steve is unaware that he was nearly on the receiving end of flirtatious comments. no, he's more curious about the musician's talent and the claim that he can earn a room.

in truth, he hadn't thought that far himself.

he has the coin to spare for a room at the inn but he'd rather save it for real trouble and when he's in need. in truth, it's more likely that it'll go to others that are in greater need than a prince trying to become a knight. or rather, to make good of the knight's training that he received and being more than a figurehead for his people. ] If you're so good you can get us rooms, you have a deal.

[ he holds out a hand to shake the bard's.

not that steve won't mind sharing a room. he's never had to before but he can, he's not so spoiled that the concept of it is above him. it'll just be an adjustment. ]

( there's a curious glint in eddie's eye as he takes steve's hand and shakes on it. he is fairly confident they will make do, though whether he'll be able to barter a room with more than one bed remains to be seen. still, he's no stranger to sleeping on the floor. it would still be far more preferable to sleeping outside, especially with rain on the horizon. )

Then by all means, lead me to this tavern, good sir. I shall make good on my promise.

( and maybe get some inspiration from all of this. it has been far too long since he's written a new song, and he's fairly certain the world is starting to grow tired of his more popular works.

hells, even eddie is getting tired of his more popular works. )

( steve tips his chin in the direction of the tavern, down the long cobblestoned street and through the markets. it's not far, per say, but it'll be a bit of a walk. they have time.

so that leaves oppurtunity for small talk. except steve's great at small talk with courtiers and nobles, knows the dance so well he could do it in his sleep. sometimes he feels like he's sleeping when he's doing it, mind somewhere else when he recounts whatever it is he's being ask by a gossipping member of the court.

he's not great with this; with the outside world, with people his own age that don't have an agenda. so he clears his throat. ) I'm Steve, by the way. Since we'll be traveling together we should know each other's names, right?

( nailed it. )

( small talk. god, eddie hates small talk, but he supposes it would be awkward to just walk in silence. he isn't sure how long this traveling together schtick will last, and the last thing he wants is to get on this guy's bad side. besides, he's already committed to getting them a room. )

Eddie. Not Edward or Ed. Not unless you're my parents, and I really hope you're not.

( he flashes steve a cheeky grin as he follows steve towards their destination. )

So, Steve. ( he is definitely committing that name to memory. ) You, uh. Travel a lot? Or is this your first big adventure?

for beamer

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