frøm rîçhëš to ràgs {crystal only <3}

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan was making one of his frequent visits to the common part of the city. He wandered through the crowds, blending in with the rest of them perfectly. He had a dagger under sleeve, though, just in case. Things could get dangerous.

When he first saw her, he didn't recognize her at first. He did a double take, sure he'd been mistaken. He shook his head and moved on. Then he paused and looked back, unable to shake the feeling that he knew her.

[~echo~]

Wren saw him before he saw her. She quickly averted her eyes, though, when he looked her way. She couldn't bear the shame of him recognizing her in public. It would be too much for her to handle.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan frowned slowly made his way back toward her. He had to be sure... had to know it wasn't who he thought it was. His brain couldn't quite process the possibility, but she looked so much like her. "Excuse me..." he said.

[~echo~]

The girl jumped and drew her shawl over her head. "Yes?" She tried changing her voice but it still sounded essentially the same.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I'm sorry, but do I know you?" he asked. "You seem very familiar."

[~echo~]

She bit her lip. "There could be no way," she said softly. "I... I am not from here."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Oh." Rylan wasn't sure if he should be relieved or disappointed. "Forgive me. I'll just be on my way now."

[~echo~]

She hesitated for a moment. "Wait..." she said loud enough for him to hear. "It... it's me, Lord Rylan." She tilted her face up for him to see.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"It is you, isn't it, Wren?" he said. "What are you doing on the streets?"

[~echo~]

She sighed and stood up to look at him. "I... I have been dishonest to you. Since my father died, I discovered that he was bankrupt. I had to work to pay off his debt. I... I am sorry."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan was silent for a few seconds, and then he shook his head. "Don't apologize. The daughter of a merchant, bankrupt or not, should not be begging on the streets. Come with me." He offered her his hand.

[~echo~]

Her eyes widened and she looked at him. "Are... are you sure?" She looked at her feet. "I don't want to be a... a bother."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

He shook his head. "Not at all. I can't help all my hungry subjects," he said. "But I can help you."

[~echo~]

Wren offered a faint, hesitant smile. "Thank you... it's been a while since anybody's been kind to me. Well, since your party."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I'm sorry to hear about your father," he said. "Let's go back to my palace."

[~echo~]

Wren nodded and smiled. "Thank you," she said softly.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan walked her through the city, his hand resting on his concealed weapon. It wasn't a long walk back to the palace, but they'd have to pass through some sketchy parts of the city to reach it, unless they wanted to take the long way. Rylan wasn't one to take the long way just to avoid some danger.

[~echo~]

Wren was aware of her surroundings the entire way to his manor house. She watched him occasionally but mostly shifted her eyes from place to place, making sure nothing was going to attack them.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Rylan noticed her nervousness and smiled faintly. "Scared?" he asked, his voice lightly teasing. He was teasing her? He hadn't had the occasion in a very, very long time.

[~echo~]

She smiled at him,' "A little," she said. "But I think I'll be alright while you're around." She did indeed feel safe with him around, but old habits of cautiousness hardly died quickly.