Chapter 2

Both twins sighed in relief-Rontu wouldn't die tonight.... Now his eyes went to Isabel when the Prince looked to her-she flinched, biting her lower lip, trembling. Oh...he was going to kill her.
Not see-
Both twins grew confused, and they paled as well when it dawned on them-separated!? Rontu looked to her, swallowing when the Prince rose his chin-he met his eyes, his breath hitching in his throat.....Fire juggling? That wasn't hard, it just....
Death....or Slavery.....
He didn't move his head when the other's hand left him, and he watched him leave before he felt arms around him. Was he shaking, or was she? He couldn't tell, he just...sat there.
"Oh Rontu, ROntu Rontu-why-why did you-"
".....I'd rather be separated then have you killed...." He whispered into her hair, pulling her close, hugging her tightly, closing his eyes. They sat there, holding each other, only to flinch as they heard the sounds of metal on metal.
Isabel crawled to the window and peeked out through the curtains, staring at the guards before she moved to look at him.
".....What are we going to do? You can't-....you're a boy!"

"You think I don't know that?"
"Switch places with me then!"
"Idiot, you'll give yourself away, he'll know it's you and he'll kill you!"
"But...if you tell him you're a boy, he'll kill you off anyways..."
"We're stuck then....."

They sat back in silence-it bothered Issie, that he didn't blame her-it was....obviously her fault. She made to apologize, but he only shut her up and sat back, taking off his wig and running his hand through his hair, staring up at the ceiling.
"....maybe it won't be for anything sexual, I mean, he just wants to learn how to use fire..."
"Rontu, then he would have you hired instead of enslaved....He could have just demanded you teach him."
"....What am I going to do? We can't run-"
"We could try to make a distraction-"

"Do you think an old ox can outrun the Prince himself?! He's got stallions, and an army at his side!"
"...I doubt he'd chase us...."...Maybe....we can leave, I mean, the trap door under the caravan, maybe some smoke"
"No, he would, Rontu....Rontu, I'm so sorry...."
She was sobbing hard now, and he pulled her into his arms, closing his eyes, shaking his head.
"...We can lie-I can say I have some disease or something.... he'll keep me alive to teach him how to use fire, and...I can keep my identity.....While I'm gone, I want you to take all we've got, start a new life, marry someone you like-cut your hair..."

He trailed off, kissing her cheeks quietly.
The entire night, neither of them slept. They laid side by side, holding hands, merely staring at each other, both fearful, both silent and pained...
Eventually they fell asleep, sometime in the night Rontu had placed his wig back on, andi n morning, they were hugging each other in their sleep, their tears dry now, but their hearts heavy....
-
Xavier was awake long before the others, getting his daily stretch in before everything else. He was grateful to be going home today, the climate of this area did not suit him at all. Afterwards he stripped out of the shirt he'd worn to bed and scrubbed himself down with a wet washcloth. Putting on clean clothes and his armor he stepped outside, only to be greeted by a peasant that had somehow slipped past his men.

"Please, sir! You can't take the lovely Issy!" The man babbled on about how he couldn't take Isabel and how it would break his heart and blah blah blah. Xavier glanced around, more concerned about how the man had managed to get by his guards. Where were they... shit. He saw a leg sticking out from under a nearby tent, smeared with red and bearing his insignia. He turned to the peasant that had been muttering at him only to raise an arm in defense as a dagger came slicing through the air. The prince growled as it jarred him, bouncing off his guard and tried returning for another try.

An insane smile lit up his face, "Thanks. I really needed an outlet." His knife appeared in his hand and soon the peasant was screaming from a tongue-less mouth and clutching at a face that lacked eyes, ears and a nose. Xavier walked over to the tent where he had spotted his warning and peered inside. Two dead guards. Peachy... He roused a few other from the tent aligned for them and they went to clean up the bodies. Chuckling darkly, he wiped the worst of the blood off with his 'kerchief and walked to the caravan.

"Any news, Jo?" He asked of the guard that was sneakily feeding the 'cute, adorable what a sweetie' bull.

"Uh, nothing to report your highness. They're still in there, Brig checked this morning."

"Wonderful, all of you wait here then. Let's hope they chose wisely." He walked up to the door of the caravan, knocking and taking care to swing out of the way so he didn't have a repeat of last night's performance. He still had a bruise from that.
-
It was the scream that awoke the two. Rontu sat up, staring around, only hte scream died short... Isabel was slow to respond, and as they rubbed the sleep from their eyes, they heard the knocking.
It took a moment for them to realize, and the twins paled, Isbael stammering for a moment.
"J-just a minute!"

Oh God oh God-she fixed up Rontu's wig, making sure it was snapped in place, and after digging around for clothes, Rontu was in a black dress, modest and all, with the false sand bag breasts, etc etc. But just before he stepped out, he picked up a knife and turned to Issie. She blinked in surprise, then nodded. He went behind her and took up her hair, hesitating before he sliced her hair short in one sweep. He fixed it up as best as he could to make it look like his own hair, and he kissed her cheek.
"As soon as they're gone, dress like me and leave. Take the Caravan, but see if you cna trade it for another and such, just-change things... Make the villagers believe your me, then leave, go to a different town.... In a year, I want you at Portsville....I'll get out of this somehow. One year from now, if I'm not there...leave without me, alright? It means I'm dead, if I'm not there."

"....Don't talk like this, Rontu please..."
He smiled softly and kissed her brow, holding her close for a moment, then sighing and running a hand through his false hair.
"....It's alright, I can sneak out soon, I just need time-he isn't going to trust me soon, and if I can deter him from sex, I'll live longer.....So just, please, don't tell anyone, switch around cities, stay one week in each then leave, but make a cycle that you'll think I can figure out, incase I escape earlier."
He kissed her cheek as she hugged him tightly, and when she began to sob, he closed his eyes, shaking his head and wiping her eyes.
"Now now, you're a boy now, boys don't cry...."

"You did yesterday..." She whispered, and he siad nothing, wiping her eyes, then his own, stepping back and fixing his gown.
"How....um....how do I look?"
Isabel siad nothing, wiping at her eyes as Rontu turned to the door, unlatching it before pushing it open with a small grunt. His heart lurched in his throat as he stared at the Prince. He swallowed, regaining some composure as he stepped down the small steps, rubbing the back of his neck, lowering his gaze and standing before him, hands at his front now and clasped one over the other. He had a small bag with him, filled with things, and a leather bag that smelled of kerosene and such-his fire equipment.
Isabel didn't come out-she sat by the door as if too distraught to move, tucking her now short bangs behind her ears, lowering her gaze as well. They were both silent and depressed, as did the peasants around that watched curiously.
-
Xavier looked at Isabel's new hair curiously but said nothing about it, "Good, wise choice. If you're ready to go then, we're heading out." Lightly grasping Rontu's wrist he turn to the guards, "Right, all of you, let's move out." They all started walking towards the royal tents but Xavier leaned forward and slowed Jo, letting the others get farther ahead and the caravan holding Isabel farther behind, both out of earshot. "Jo, stay and watch the girl for a bit. Try to stay hidden."

He continued walking as the young guard slipped away into the crowd and disappeared. The prince looked down at the girl, to see if she'd comment before turning his head forward again, "What's in the bags? You aren't allowed any weapons anymore, you know."

As they reached the tents he looked around before heading to the tent his father was in, still leading Rontu gently.
-
"Ah-" Rontu looked over his shoulder as Isabel when his hand was taken-their eyes met, and his vision blurred. He blinked rather quickly, turning his head away as Isabel rubber her face and slipped into the caravan, shutting the door and locking it. He could hear the lock-and the mooing from the ox, that stared at him and grunted. He gave it a quick pat on the head as he walked by, and it calmed, licking his hand and mooing softly. He wiped the saliva on his own, though smiled softly to the old bull. Huh?

Following- His eyes met the Princes, and he chewed his inner cheek-did he know? The nerves ran through him and he looked away, gripping the bags tightly.
"N-no weapons... Just-clothes and s-sentimental things....in one....and my fire kit. We only have one we made-Isabel isn't as good as I am."
A subtle hint that killing him and going after her to learn wouldn't work. It was true though, she always had to wetten her clothes before working, and often times she was clumsy and dropped burning coals and such.

Rontu hesitated at the tent, though the Prince's grip was gentle, it felt like ice-he entered the tent slowly, nerves getting him as he caught sight of the King. He bit his lower lip, shaking in place for a moment before he bowed his head politely, eyes downcast as he clutched his bags.
-
Xavier bowed, keeping his eyes defiantly upwards though, "Good day, Your Majesty. How far are you on packing, sire?"

The King grunted, unamused, "Quit being a prat. Is this the girl then? Good, maybe having a set of tits around will keep you from the things you and that knight boy did. Get out."

Xavier's face had turned red, to which his mind cursed about. Two times within 24 hours? Fuck this place. He turned abruptly, yanking Rontu out the door. He was mumbling to himself as he stomped down towards his own tent, which was currently being taken down and stored away, "Stupid son of a bitch listening to stupid son of a bitching spies and their stupid spying when drunk."
-
It was....surprising to hear the king with that sort of language, but moreso at the mention of the Prince and a knight.....
THe prince......was gay?!
That stunned him, and when he was pulled he almost fell over for a moment, swallowing lightly. Oh....now he was sure he wouldn't die-but like hell the Prince was going to-with him and-

He looked up as they neared the Prince's tent, and he stood there, watching him before looking up at him and blinking.
"Says the guy sending a spy to watch my sister..." He muttered under his breath-hopefully the other wouldn't hear him. Damn hypocrite......Gah, he was scared now-he didn't want this, but....for his sister-if he could only warn her about that guard, maybe he could do something, to warn her? If he saw her, he could warn her.... But she was in the caravan, and that deflated his spirits.

'Best worry about myself.... If I tell him I'm a boy, he'll either kill me or-or take advantage....if I stay as a girl, I might be killed...'
He thought quietly to himself, panicking a bit and chewing his lower lip, staring at the ground and clutching his bags.... Lord have mercy on him.
-
The prince surveyed everyone at his tent, and once satisfied that they hadn't forgotten anything he handed Rontu over to one of the female servants. "Ona, please take the new slave and get something on her that she can ride in. I'll be back in a bit. .... Don't let her out of your sight, thanks." He turned and stalked off, deciding that he was going to hunt down whoever had sent the guy after him this morning and.. well.. vent.

Ona smiled at the girl, "Hi there dear, could you come this way please? The help's tent is this way." The servant girl gestured towards the left while holding out her hand. Of course she'd have to keep a hold on the slave, but there was no reason she couldn't at least by nice to her. "What's your name? I heard you were in the act yesterday, you're one of the twins right?"
-

Rontu looked up as he was left with a slave girl, and when she smiled, he smiled back, relaxing a bit-she seemed nice. He relaxed a bit, though he held his bags, glancing over his hsoulder, watching the prince for a moment before looking to her and nodding.
"Ah, yes....we're great at-at double acts....oh, um, I'm Rontu." He smiled softly, though his voice had wavered when he spoke at first, his thoughts hard, heavy. To leave Issie-they had never been separated before, it felt like....like he was losing his other half or something...
"Um....if-if I am to change-I'm rather shy and, um....yea....Oh, um-this bag," He held up the fire kit a bit, smiling to her, "It shouldn't be jostled or it'll set ablaze, is there a way to put it on a wagon or such? I think it will move too much on a horse and it might start a fire-it could even explode..."
-
Xavier had stopped a few of the guards hanging around, asking questions and simply finding all the information he could. When he'd finished with them, he decided that it wasn't some ridiculous peasant that had tried to kill him. Hired assassins were skilled, painfully annoying and stupid, but skilled. He decided to cover up with a cloak and visit the only inn in the town. With a few well placed remarks he learned that the man had shown up here... with friends. He was directed to the room at the discretion of 'don't destroy anything'. Within he found two armed men waiting for him. With a grin he jumped, landing on top of the first one with a crash. He received a gash on his calf but killed the guy. Turning sharply he brought twin daggers up to meet the mace plummeting towards his head. The prince gave a feral laugh and swung out his leg, tripping the man and laughing louder as the mace he'd been holding cracked his thick head as it fell.

"Too easy." He turned, hearing a gurgling gasp, and noticed the first one was still barely alive, he leaned down holding a dagger to the man's throat, "Oh good, glad you're awake. Tell me who sent you and I won't let you bleed out."

The assassin groaned, amazed he'd be spared, "Some noble lady in Rivette. Some duchess." He coughed, looking down in horror as blood trickled down his chin.

Xavier smirked, "Ah, so Cherlin then. Thankyou." In one swift motion he had cut off the assassin's head, "Well, technically I didn't let you bleed out. Much faster way to die."

He went back outside after leaving a few coins on the table to pay for the bloodstains and made his way back to the tents, a glance told him that the royals were almost finished packing. He walked by a few of the nobility's tents, quickly finding the one belonging to Cherlin. She was a notorious black widow and had be rejected by him earlier that year. He'd be doing to world a service... technically. Soon the lady was dead, a table leg sticking out of her abdomen. Xavier left the tents, smiling and wiping off the majority of the blood with the end of his cloak. He wandered back to his own spot, glad to see they were ready to go. He sat by his horse, waiting for Ona to get back with Rontu.

--

"That's such a pretty name, dear." She led Rontu into the tent and smiled again, "I'm sure I can think of something for you. Such a modest girl. Um... here, I can hold up this blanket if you wish?" She turned, holding out a pair of brown leggings and a simple tunic. "This should be fine til we get back to the castle." She held up the blanket as high as possible once she'd handed Rontu the clothes. "Oh, I'm sure I can take care of the bag. I'll be riding with the other girls in the cook's wagon."
-
Leggings.... He stared at them, then nodded at the mention of a blanket, sighing in relief at hte back of his mind.
"Ah, thank you..."
He changed quickly, making sure none could see-he fixed his breasts under the tunic, ripping a small edge of his skirt to bind his breasts to him so that they wouldn't, err, bounce, abnormally. When he gave a few testing hops, he nodded to himself, fixing hte tunic and his hair, stepping out from behind the blanket, rubbing the back of his neck. Well, he did look like a girl save for his hips-they were far too narrow, not curved like a woman's, mainly because he was underfed. But no one would know. Hopefully.
"Yes please, make sure it isn't near anything flammable, just in case....um....I've never ridden a horse before...." He finally admitted, the reason why he had taken his time in changing. He fidgeted, taking his regular bag and holding it close, swallowing lightly.
"....Is....is the prince.....cruel as he seems?"
-
"You're welcome, dear." Ona smiled and set down the blanket as Rontu came out. "Oh don't you look just cute, Don't worry, dear, I'll make sure it arrives at the castle without exploding." She grasped Rontu's hand lightly, with a small grin, "Well, come on. No time to learn like the present. You probably won't have to do much but hold on." She strolled out of the tent, waving to her fellow servants as they packed up their supplies.

"Oh, I don't think so. I've been his handmaid for years now and he's never been mean to me."

Xavier stood up once he spotted the two women, "Ready to go then?"
-
He flushed lightly at her comment and only smiled 'shyly' at her when she took his hand, only to blink nervously as she led him out of the tent.
"H-hold on? Oh, um....okay..."
He sighed in relief though-if he was kind to his maids, he was sure to be kind to him....oh, that was a relief!

He followed her as they came across the Prince....and a large stallion. He gulped, staring up at hte large beast, then nodding softly at Xavier.
"Y-yes, I'm-ah!" He gasped in surprise when the Prince grabbed him by the waist and plopped him onto the horse, blinking in surprise and holding his breath.
"ohhhmy....." HE could feel the horse breathing, and he squeezed his knees a bit, nervous, staring down at the ground, then at the horse's neck. When he felt warmth behind him, he glanced up, over his hsoulder, staring at hte Prince.

His back....was against the Prince's front. He flushed red and turned forward, swallowing and trying to inch forward a bit, until the pommel stopped him. He gripped it though, remembering the rules to hold on, and he ran a hand over his neck, only to quickly grip the pommel again, as if afraid the horse might move.
"I....I've never done this before...." He whispered, letting the prince know the reason why he was so....skittish. Well actually it was more of the fact that the possibly gay prince was behind him. BEHIND HIM.
He noticed peasants watching him, some smiling-some hadn't heard, most were thinking that 'Issie' was swept up by the Prince in a loving way...but he saw solemn faces that knew what was happening.
-
Ona smiled at the two, "Have a fun trip, dearies!" She turned, almost skipping. She was always.. joyful. Always.

Xavier hissed, "Stop squirming." He had a hold of the reins and kicked the horses into a trot, "We won't be too far ahead of the rest of the party, in case they need me." He glared at the peasants that had taken it upon themselves to stare and then turned his head forward, raising an eyebrow when he noticed the girl's ears were red. He shrugged it off until he heard the soft whisper of admission that she'd not ridden a horse before. Deciding they were far enough away from prying eyes he leaned forward and quietly spoke in Rontu's ear, "I'm not going to let you fall, don't worry."

He had placed Rontu's bag in one of the saddle bags before they'd started moving so it wouldn't fall out. He didn't even contemplate checking it out.
-
He went still at hte command, gapsing when the horse moved-his gripped the pommel, then the horse's mane, then, unsure if that hurt the horse, he let go and held the pommel, whining softly, squeezing his knees-ohfuckfuckfuck, he felt like he was going to fall....
Another gasp left his htroat-he felt warm breath against his ear, and he flinched from it, his heart thudding in his chest as he cringed a bit, chewing his lower lip then nodding softly.
"O-Okay...."
He kept wriggling forward, trying not to touch the other, but each jostle of the horse had him sliding back against hte other, and eventually he went still and tense, holding the pommel and biting his lower lip.
-
Xavier frowned as Rontu flinched away, but, well, the girl had just lost her sister. It was expected... right? He maneuvered the horse to a faster pace, more with his legs than the reins. He tried to be civil but the girl just wouldn't stop moving.

"Damnit, I said stop squirming." He growled, putting one arm around Rontu to hold her in place, "You don't listen very well."

His eyes scanned the road ahead, they'd ridden out of the sight of the party but not far enough that they'd pass the scouts. The prince watched the road, knowing only too well who and what he'd killed back at Dunsport.
-

When the horse went faster, the smallest of shrieks left him and he gripped the pommel, pressing back hard against the Prince and shutting his eyes-he moved ah and to the top of his head to hold his wig in place, though it was securely in so he didn't need to. When he felt an arm around him, his arms gripped it hard for support, and he whimpered, eyes shut-he was still now, scrunched up, clutching the Prince's arm for dear life, and pressed fully against him for fear and support-it wasn't sexual by the way he held himself, it was more of he was afraid and needed physical support.
"Makeitstopomigodshitshitshit..."

Women weren't meant to cuss, but he wasn't thinking about it as he was whimpering and closing his eyes, holding the PRince's arm, digging his nails in as well without realizing it.
-

His mouth twitched into a slight smile, "I'm not going to let you fall-" Oooowwww... nails... "Um, eh, I'm not going to let you fall, it's ok. Calm down, Rontu." He gripped the girl tighter, looking behind him, "I am sorry but we need to move at least at this pace or we'll get left... ow.. Ok, could you ease up on the nails, please?"
-

He didn't relax, not one bit, and only continued to mutter every foul word he knew, whispering them and sometimes shrieking them whenever the horse leapt over something or he was jostled. By the time they stepped for camp, he was shaking hard, his nails as deep as they could be in the Prince's arms. They had ridden half the day, and instead of taking a break for the after noon, everyone only changed horses. As the Prince tugged his nails aout and slid off the saddle, pulling Rontu down-the boy's legs gave out and he sort of sat/fell down, trembling slightly. When a white mount was brought for the Prince, the boy looked up slowly, quivering in place, his lower lip trembling.
"...D...don'tmakemepleaseohplease...." He whispered softly, swallowing as he looked to the large, white stallion, and stayed put on the ground-not to be defiant, but his legs? They were jelly now, he couldn't move them and he could hardly breathe.
-
Xavier grumbled, poking at the bloody scratches on his arm. He thanked the person that took his original horse away and pet the new white one on the nose, "This is Charger. He's an easier ride than Bucket." He paused, watching everyone either mount up again or get back in the carriages and wagons. He stopped one of the guards, talking to him quietly and asking that he tell his father he'd be a little late. He turned, holding a small bag of food, "Well scaredy cat, we're staying here for a bit so you can catch your breathe. You can barely stand."

As the other's rode off he tied his horses to the nearest tree and sat down by him, opening the bag. "I assume you're hungry, I have a couple apples and a bit of bread in here. Water too. If you want some?"
-
"I-I-I'm not sc-scared," He breathed out, though he knew it was a lie-and he knew the other knew. He dropped his head, rubbing at his eyes-they were dry now, because the wind had whipped every tear he held from his eyes. His stomach grumbled as the other offered him food, and he tried to stand for a moment, his legs giving out. He sighed softly when the other sat beside him, and took an apple, thanking him politely before biting into it, holding it in both hands.
He finished the apple and ate around the seeds, throwing the stem and the bottom piece after carefully plucking the fruit from it-he wasn't one to waste. He swallowed and took up the canteen of water, giving a small sip just to wetten his lips, thanking him and closing it.


"......Will I ever see her again?"

He spoke after a long while, staring at the ground-he felt so empty, without her beside him, and he stared back at the long road-he didn't recognize anything around, Issie was always better with direction.... Oh, Issie......
A few hours later, after he sat quietly for a while, his trembling ceased-though he eyed the horse a bit, and slowly, with the help of a nearby boulder, he stood up. He took out an apple from the  bag, and walked over to the large horse, stroking it's nose gently before offering it an apple, whispering to it and smiling as it took the apple. He watched it eat before he sat back down besides the Prince, rubbing his own arms uneasily as the light started to fade and the area went dark.
"I....I don't want to hold us back-we...we can keep going, um, I won't, um, grip you again....sorry.....also....I don't trust this forest-bad rumors are always around and I don't want to be here at night. You can scoff at my superstition, but we lose many a folk here in the dark by unnatural means..."
-
"Ok, sure you weren't." Xavier took out a piece of the bread, chewing on it slowly while scanning the forest at all times. His hand wandered to his arm again once he'd eaten, gently rubbing it to get the aches out. Once he figured he had gotten it as good as it'd get he leaned down to check on the wound he'd received from his gallivanting earlier. It was a bit red around the edges so he dug a whiskey bottle out of the bag and poured a bit on the gash. "Fuuuuck..." He popped the top back on and hissed, before blowing on the leg to dry it. The  Prince then wrapped it in what was supposed to be a cloth napkin.

He flinched at Rontu's question, then hardened his face, "What would be the point of the punishment if I said you could?"

He leaned back for a rest, assured that the large party's passing would've scared off all threats for the moment. Besides, he was a light sleeper, it would be hard to sneak up on the pair, or.. trio, counting the horse. He opened his eyes again when the slave moved, smiling when he saw the girl get near the horse. Xavier sat up when she started walking back, raising an eyebrow, "Now, who said you could feed me horse?" 2 parts teasing, 1 part dominance.

"I'm glad to know I can still scoff, this forest is like every other one. I spent a night in it before I arrived at your village." He picked up the girl and sat her back on the horse, "And for the love of all things holy, do NOT squirm this time!"

-
 That depressed him, and he lowered his gaze, sighing softly, though why complain? He had asked to be punished in her place-he just didn't think this would happen. He wondered how she was now-where she was, if that guy was following her, and what she was thinking...
He looked up sharply at the accusing question, and he flinched lightly.

"I-I just htought- I mean, um-" He trailed off when the other changed the subject-it took him a moment to realize the other had been teasing him. His face heated up and he shifted a bit in annoyance, chewing his inner cheek and sighing softly, only to squeak in surprise as he was lifted onto the horse. He grabbed the pommel as the other slid onto the horse. He chewed his lower lip and nodded quietly-he'd try not to, yup, he'll just sit here still and-
oh darn, he was squirming and they hadn't even moved. He went still, taking deep breaths and closing his eyes. When the horse moved forward, had to admit it wasn't as....disastrous as 'Bucket' had been-or was it because it was his second-

The horse went a bit faster, and despite himself he wriggled, gripping the sides of the horse iwth his knees, a small whimper leaving his throat, though he was trying to be quiet-as if he still doubted the forest was safe. He kept his eyes open, fearfully staring out into the trees, and as the horse stumbled over a rock for a moment he let out a gasp and tucked his face into the horse's neck, hugging it about the neck, though moving back against the other due to his position.
Each time the horse moved, he wriggled despite himself, and wriggled more when he forced himself to sit up-the pommel was digging into his stomach. He held onto it, closing his eyes, whispering small prayers as he trembled and squirmed-oh fuck, fuckfuckfuck, he was scared-so scared-horse riding, God forbid he do it again! And in the dark in a supposedly haunted forest-

Hoot.

"AHHH!" He screamed as an owl merely hooted, and he let go of the pommel. He felt himself falling sideways, and twisting a bit he managed to grab Xavier around the neck with his arms, steadying himself like the odd human pretzel he was (His legs are facing forward but he's turned all the way towards Xavier, creepy lol)
He burrowed his face into his chest for a moment, his heart racing a bit. He gingerly forced himself to turn back around, eyes still closed tihgtly as he gripped the pommel, trembling and squirming again.
"I-I-Idon'twannadothiseveragainohfuckfuckfuck...."
-
Xavier was glaring at the sky, cursing whatever higher power was up there. He was ignoring the squirming at first, and doing so successfully, managing to thread his mind over to the fire tricks he'd learn. He was doing so good! ... Til the horse stumbled and the girl in front of him decided to hug Charger's neck, SHIT. Come ON Xavier, this girl is scared, quit thinking- SHE IS GRINDING AGAINST MY FUCKING CROTCH.
"Rontu, please... please stop doing that-" He jolted when she screamed, grabbing her tunic as she grabbed his neck. How... He looked at the contorted body. Flexible much? ... Oh that didn't help the damn subconscious any. His breathe hitched when Rontu clung but... Xavier took a deep breathe and merely patter her back, "It's ok. That was just an owl."

He kicked the horse back into motion again, making sure to keep a firm grasp on the acrobat, "Dig your nails into the saddle horn if you have to. I won't let you go."
-
Rontu didn't respond, only smal whimpers leaving his throat as he nodded slowly-just...just an owl.... He breathed out slowly, only to suck in a breath as the other moved the horse-he made to dig his nails int othe other's arm again, only to lower them into the saddle horn, clutching it as he felt the arm around him. It made him feel safer, just a bit, and despite the jostling and such, he didn't squirm as much now, nodding quietly to the other, sniffling. The horse was moving slowly now, and the wind didn't hide his tears-Gods, look at him....what balls did he have? He could flip in the air, leap over fire via a burnt rope-and yet scared of riding a beast of burden-that was going slow?!
"M-m-may I-I sh-should just w-walk-"

 He spoke out quickly, his voice rising in pitch each time the horse walked over the uneven ground, not stumbling but each change in it's weight, shifting from grooves in the ground and such-he could feel it all and he pressed back against the Prince, closign his eyes, wriggling a bit. Gosh, the Prince's armor was uncomfortable and hard at the waist....He could practically feel it against his rear, pressing.(XD) He shifted a bit, closing his eyes when the horse randomly snorted, bringing him back to his thoughts on the fact he was on the horse. He tensed up and swallowed, hiccuping lightly, ltitle, pained sounds leaving him occasionally as the horse went it's own pace, sometimes a little fast from Prince Xavier being ever so impatient, and hten sometimes slow when Prince Xavier grew annoyed at Rontu's wriggling and shrieks.

Eventually, they reached Dunsport, and the poor boy was so exhausted from his trauma, he slumped in his seat, resting his forehead against the horse's neck, eyes closed as the horse clip clopped over cobble stone, heading towards the large palace. Had he been wide awake-the cobblestone would have given him a fright while on the horse. He did shift in his seat, eyes closed now because he was tired, leaning back against Xavier, his head turned to the side as he sagged.... He fell asleep in the saddle, back against the Prince's front, his head to the side and against that broad chest.
"Mnn....Issie, move over...." He mumbled in his sleep, giving a soft frown before relaxing...
-
Xavier had never had a more stressful ride. This would never ever ever ever ever EVER happen again. He'd sit this girl on a goddamn pony and start teaching her to ride on her bloody own. He had to veer from the path a few times after spotting movement that may or may not have been friendly, he wasn't likely to check it out. Once they reached the capital he felt quite a bit better. Rontu had stopped moving and was actually quite cute when she was asleep.

"Though how you managed to fall asleep is beyond me." He muttered to himself, he steered the horse around the traffic dotting the streets. He waved to a few known merchants and gave a glare to a known pickpocket. The two arrived at the castle within the hour, and the prince greeted the guards and he trotted Charger over the bridge. He stopp the horse once they were inside the stables, slipping off and taking Rontu with him, carrying the girl. "Aren't you supposed to be a slave?" He grumbled at the acrobat. He nodded to the quatermaster, and listened to the woman as she told him his father had gone out for the weekend. He carried Rontu upstairs, stopping at Ona's room.

After a knock, she opened the door, "Shh, she's asleep. Um... where do I put her?"

Ona laughed quietly, "First slave and you are completely out of your element."

His blushed, not even trying to hide it from the woman, "That.. that's not true!"

"Uh huh, sure honey. Hmm, there isn't any room in the servants quarters. I think Betty is leaving for Barne's estate in a month or so though. She could have her bed when she goes."

Xavier blinked, "But what do I do with her now?"

Ona smirked, totally reminiscent of her 'boss', "Well, you do have that duvet in the corner of your room."

"What."

"Your room is huge, and she's your responsibility now!"

".... But"

"No buts! Go!"

Xavier sighed and turned from the lady, walking down the hall a bit to his room, whispering to the sleeping girl, or mainly to himself, "I swear, Rontu, I sometimes wonder who's actually in charge here." He opened the door with one hand after a bit of fumbling and walked in, shutting the door carefully with his foot. The prince went across the room and gently put Rontu on the duvet. He put her bag beside her, then went to his own bed, shucking off his shirt before falling into bed, face down in the pillow.

"I'm riding in the fucking carriage next time." He mumbled through the fabric.
-
He groaned softly when he felt lifted a bit, wriggling a bit in the other's arms before settling, resting his head against hteo ther's shoulder.
He twitched when he was laid down, and instantly snuggled into the soft sheets. He didn't remember these in the caravan-so soft, so smooth... Did Issie buy some new fabric? They did make a lot of money at the festival...
He mumbled her name in his sleep, pulling up the blanket and burrowing into his pillow, fast asleep.
-morning-
Oh God, he was sore. His back, his arms-he groaned and rolled onto his back, frowning a bit as he awoke. He was never sore-what-
He stared at plush sheets, pillows-he sat up suddenly in shock, a hand moving to his sore back as he looked around, disoriented.
What?! Where-how.... His legs were so sore as he slipped out of the bed, stumbling a bit as he moved to the window and looked out.
A.....a castle?! No....Palace....
Slowly it dawned to him, and he looked about, noticing a large bed, and a figure on it. He swallowed lightly, fixing his hair a bit and chewing his lower lip... Well, the soft bed explained why he was so sore-he was used to sleeping on fabric on hard wood.
It was...relief that they hadn't slept in the same bed, and he realized he was still in the tunic and pants. He picked up his bag from the ground, and slipped into the side room, finding it to be a bathroom. (pretend they have indoor plumbing lol)
He locked the door and went to the bathroom, then changed into a dark gray dress, one of Issie's, though edited to be modest (to hide the straps), and after fixing his wig and brushing it, he stared at himself in the mirror, digging into his bag. He pulled out a small, blue marble, and smiled softly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Isabel held up the small, red marble as she sat infront of the caravan on the seat there, holding the reins for the ox. She tucked it away into her pocket after a small sigh, and ran a hand through her short hair. Her chest was bound flat(that had taken hours) and it was hurting to breathe. Rontu's clothing was usually baggy, so they hid her hips as she sat there, holding the reins for the ox. People were telling 'him' by, and some of them even giving 'him' gifts. He smiled-he hadn't spoken to any of them, they figured he was depressed that Isabel was gone. He smiled at them all before he snapped the reins gently, and old Chester started forward, grunting a bit.
"Come back soon, Rontu!" Some called out, and Isabel closed her eyes, forcing tears back, and winning. She rode out of town at a rather slow pace, opposite of where the royals had gone-she wouldn't go to Dunsport, that was like a plague to her.
-
Xavier had opened one eye the moment his ears picked up on movement in his room. His body immediately went tense, but he didn't move. He wasn't used to hearing someone in here but... wait... that... Why did the person go into his bathroom? He sat up once Rontu had left, scratching his head.

"Teh.. fuck..." Looking around he calmed and yesterday came back to him, "Oh... Right.. Damnit Ona." He stood, wandering over to a set of drawers and grabbed a clean red shirt and breeches, etc, out of them. The prince sat on the bed and shucked off his pants from yesterday, replacing them with the breeches and pulled the shirt on, buttoning it quickly.

Almost habitually he picked up his dirty clothes and tossed them in a nearby box that served as a hamper. Ona had him trained whether he admitted it or not. He went and knocked on the door to the bathroom, "I wasn't aware slaves could use the prince's bathroom... Meh, what do ya want to eat for breakfast?"
-
"Ah-!" The knocking startled him, and with a dull clink the marble fell into the sink hole-he stuck his hand in and scrabbled until he felt it, only now his hand was stuck. He tugged on his wrist, refusing to let go of the marble, and he looked to the door, biting his lower lip.

"I-I'm sorry-I-I dind'tk now where to go and um-ohum....yesplease..." He spoke with a few grunts, tugging on his wrist until-snap- He yelped and fell back, marble in hand, a part of the sink around his wrist. He fell backwards against the shower, ripping the curtain and snapping the bar holding it as it all crashed around him and he fell into the tub. He cursed a few times, kicking against the curtain until he was able to sit up, rubbing his bruised wrist. He crawled out of the tub, groaning-he banged almost everything in that fall, and it hurt a bit. He rubbed his neck, feeling something cold, and hard-he looked at his wrist with the silver buckle of the sink, and bit his lower lip, slipping the marble into his pocket and trying to tug off the ceramic and metal loop.

It came off after a moment, and he shoved it back into the sink space, making sure it looked alright before he grabbed the soap and tunred on the water, washing his hands so that leftover suds would hide the cracks. Now he turned to the shower curtain, chewing his lower lip as he fixed the bar, thankfully it was a two piece, though to hide the large cut in the curtains, he merely pushed htem all to one corner, and slowly surveyed the bathroom...

Of course he knew the Prince would find out later, but he hoped by then he would be out and gone. Rontu rubbed his wrist as he unlocked the door quietly, holding his bag under his arm and shutting the door quickly behind him, chewing his inner cheek.
"Um....I fell." He merely stated in case the Prince asked, and settled his bag on the duvet, sitting there quietly, timidly, fingering the marble held in his hands.
He was nervous now, unsure of what he was to be doing-and what hte Prince was going to do to him.
-

Xavier stood back from the door and went out of the room, he bumped into a nearby servant rather quickly. Once he asked the boy if he could bring up some food he went back into the room, only to be greeted by a loud crash.

"What... the fuck..." He went to the door, planning on knocking and asking what was going on, only to be greeted by the door opening. Luckily this time, he backed out of the way. "I'm going to lose my nose one of these days..."

He raised an eyebrow, "You... fell? .... Ok." Xavier peered inside the bathroom, nothing SEEMED amiss, "I'll be a minute. The food will be here soon enough."

Inside the bathroom he went over to the sink to brush his teeth. Once finished he looked down... to see that the rinse water had washed away the suds and... were those cracks? He poked them and his finger brushed the sink cover, causing it to move. With wide eyes he nudged it again, and as it moved he realized it had broke. "I'm also going to be saying 'what the fuck' around this girl a lot." So, he decided to check the rest of the bathroom, for that loud of a crash couldn't have just been the sink right..? And she said she fell... After some inspection he found all the things she had broken, and with each discovery he grew more angry.

He finished what he came in the bathroom to do originally, stewing, and stormed out of the bathroom. She was a slave now, he didn't HAVE to be diplomatic. The prince reached down and picked the girl up by the front of her shirt, "What the hell did you do in there?"

Interrupted by a knock on the door, he dropped the girl and answered. Grabbing the tray away from the servant, he slammed the door behind him. Xavier dropped the food down on a nearby table and sat down heavily on the chair, "Get your ass over here and eat."
-
When the other slid into the bathroom, Rontu felt an immense dread-he knew the other was bound to find out, but this soon?! Gaah! But-it wasn't-he hadn't meant....
He sat in stilled silence, his heart thumping loudly in his ears, and he looked up when the other came out in a fury. He didn't even have time to get up when the other grabbed te front of his dress and lifted him-he gasped and flinched, stammering. "I-I just-it-it was an accident!" He yelped when he was dropped on the floor, and felt the sandbag slip. He put a hand to his neck and quickly turned from the Prince so that he wouldn't see her stuff her boob back in place and quickly fondle to adjust-from behind it looked like she was merely smoothing out the fabric in a 'modest' way. He stood up when he was sure they were in place and okay, and he slowly walked over, sitting down on the far side of hte table, hands in his lap.

Oh yes, he was very afraid, but when he saw all the food, he literally gaped.
"A....all of this?" His eyes were wide with surprise-he hadn't even seen this much food at the bakery in the village! He almost felt bad when he picked up an apple, staring at it-so large... He was even more amazed by the taste-it had to be the first picking or something, the finest of the fine. He ate the apple slowly, savoring it, holding it with both hands as if it was too precious. He settled the core on the plate, staring down at it as he licked the juices from his lips, and picked up a glass of red liquid-blood? No... He sniffed it, and frowned, giving it the smallest of sips...... It was rather sweet, and so he took a small gulp, closing his eyes at the taste.
"Ick....what is this? It's so...sweet?" Wine, but he knew nothing about it, setting the cup down, staring at all the food.... Oh he definitely would no go hungry here.
He took up another apple, and as he ate, his eyes watered, and soon tears dribbled down his cheeks, and he had to put the apple down, only haf eaten as he wiped at his face, giving a small sip.
Issie.....
It was hard, eating such....such fine thigns, knowing all she had to eat was probably some dry bread they had in the caravan with a few small bits of dried fruit-she sucked at fishing, though she had the pole, he was the one that managed to get her meats-he was a vegetarian, though Isabel scoffed at him.
He eventually calmed, silent now, eyes red as he finished the glass of red juice and stared around at all the food, wiping at his eyes again, sniffling as he finished the half eaten apple.
....Damn nobles and their finery.
He picked up a carrot and nibbled on the end, though halfway, he was already feeling full. Not having eaten in a long while, his stomach was tiny, and though it seemed he was eating like a woman would (little htis, little that) there was onyl so much he could eat. He set the carrot down on his plate, and pitcked up the red juice pitcher, pouring himself a glass. Hnn, now that he was over the sweetness, it wasn't that bad. He spilled some, blinked and stared, then set the pitcher aside. It took him a moment to pikc up the glass-why did he have two?-and he down it, giving a small hiccup after and licking his lips, fumblign for the pitcher again.
"Th...this schtuff....isn't half bad..."
-
"Wine, it's made from aged fruit or.. well, it's a long process, It's alcohol. Like the mead served at that inn in your town." Xavier helped himself to a piece of bread with jam and some bacon, chuckling as he watched the girl stare at the food. Did the peasants really not eat stuff like this? He felt that this food was regular and had even seen the lower class eating similiar fae around Dunsport. He paused at that thought, Was life really that rough out there? Or were the acrobats that poor? He shrugged off the thought, probably best to leave the economics to his father for now.

He couldn't understand why it was hard to stay mad at Rontu. The SLAVE, he had to keep remind himself of that, had busted up his bathroom. Why didn't he even try to dole out punishment? He heard Rontu's last comment, "Yeah, it is good. So how did that 'accident' happen?"
-
Rontu hiccuped softly, blinking a few times as he reached out, clawing at the air near the pitcher-he managed to grab it and lift it, pouring himself another glass, somewhat messily, and setting the pitcher donw. He picked up the cup iwth both hands after a while, drinking quietly for a moment until he heard the question.
"I....almost lost my marble..." He spoke quietly, giving a sniff and closing his eyes, finishing the rest of the wine before hiccuping and closing his eyes-the room seemed to be spinning.
"Urrgh.....when we....hic....were little, Issie and I, we...found two marbles in a ditch. It...took al ong time to get them-they were so pretty.... No one in the village had anything like them..." He set the cup down-it fell to it's side but he didn't notice- as he fumbled into his pocket, and pulled out the small, blue marble, holding it up to the light, squinting at it.
"It's...precious to me....Issie, Issie has the blue one, and we promised that, like us, they wouldn't be separated from us....heh, Blue.....is Issie's favorite color, and red-red is mine...so, I think about her, and she thinks about me, when we see these...marbles..." His speech was slurring and he frowned, moving a hand to his head. He suddenly stood up, jarring the table a bit, and he stared down a bit before he sat back down, disoriented.
"I....feel weird...."
-
Xavier listened to the girl, frowning slightly, "Oh, I... see. Well, I'm glad you retrieved it then. Just, be careful next time, alright? It's going to be weird having to explain why my bathroom is torn to shreds." He nibbled for a moment on an apple before jumping back as the table jerked beneath his elbow.

"What?" He looked back at Rontu, "Wait... oh shit, you've never had alcohol before, have you?" He grabbed the pitcher and Rontu's cup away, "Um, wine may make you drunk... I shouldn't have let you have any. I didn't think of your tolerance."
-

"Kay....I will..." He nodded woftly, rubbing at his face then looking up.
Alcohol?
"E.....eh?" He frowned, then looked down as the other took away the pitcher and cup-he pouted, then sat back, rubbing his face a bit and huffing. Gosh, he felt so dizzy....and hot...ick...

He rubbed at his neck for a moment, closing his eyes before dropping his head in his arms.
"Ghhh.....this sucks...being here and all..." He mumbled into his arms, hiccuping a bit.
"I know I g....gota...hic....but still... I mean, snooty royals and...and so much food-assholes, they're all assholes..." He was obviously drunk, and he didn't even seem to notixe Xavier, resting his head on his arms, eyes closed.

"Think they're...hic...better than us.... heh, I'd like to see a...a royal plow a whole field without...hic...breakin' a sweat....or even doing a somersault."
-
Xavier chuckled at the pout, "No more wine for you, you'll be thanking me when you get a hangover later..." He picked up the left over food and stacked it back on the tray, taking it out of the room and setting it by the door for some servant to pick up. "You are going to be absolutely useless the rest of the day. Maybe coffee... That might just make you hyper if you've never had any though. Shit."

He walked back to the table and leaned down over Rontu to hear the girl's mumbling, ".... Feh... I should have you whipped for saying stuff like that." He sighed, listening some more, "I won't because you ARE drunk but seriously, stop."
-
"Urrgh-whaa?" He grunted quietly-what was ah ang...what? Oh whatever....
"Coff....ee?" Oh, he definitely hadn't heard of it, he rose his head to give him an annoyed look, and snorted, sitting up slowly, crossing his arms.
"....'feh' my ass. You whip me and...hic... I won't teach you shit....you royals and your whole oh I'll get what I want by smacking processed cow ass at peasants....well bullshit-you even think about it and I won't teach you. Good luck finding someone who knows as much as I do about fire...hic." His words slurred and he closed his eyes, rubbing his face as the other leaned over him. he looked up at him, then slowly stood up, his face inches from the other. He stared at him, then hiccuped and sat back down, his legs slightly wobbly. He hiccuped and rubbed his face again, laying his head down to the side on his arms and closing his eyes.
-
"Processed cow ass..." He looked at Rontu, bewildered but as she continued his expression grew hard.

Xavier's lips fell back in a snarl as he stared at the defiant girl, how bloody dare she. He had been trying to be nice, really trying. And she just... He grabbed the girl back her hair in the back and yanked her head up, "Somehow, you little bitch, you keep forgetting that I can kill you and I'm not fucking scared to." He made to lift her up out of the seat by her hair... but when he tried all that happened was a ripping sound.

His face changed from one of anger to one of utter bewilderment...  then back to anger, "Is this why your sister had her hair cut? Why the fuck lie about this?" He grabbed Rontu by the arm and jerked her up, "Answer now."
-
"Yea, cow ass-leather, you know..." He was slurring his words, giving a shrug until the other grabbed his hair-well, hsi wig, but he still felt the tug of his real hair. He cried out in surprise at the stinging around his scalp, looking up as he was forced, blinking a bit, then grinning-oh yes, he was still drunk as fuck.
"Kill me and you learn nothing."

The other yanked again and he felt the snaps ripping-he gasped and made to grab at it, only the wig came off, and the spare clasps fell from his head, releasing his hsort hair. He blinked slowly-it seemed to hit him real slow in this state-and he touched his hair, his lips parting in surprise.
The world spun when he was yanked up by the arm, and he grunted lightly, shaking his head.

"H-hnn...short hair-easier to....to flip an'....an work with fire-we cut it short so we don't burn...an, well, men like long hair-so....hic...we both wear wigs."
He was surprised at himself at how easily the lie formed, and he hiccuped again, weakly trying to pull back for a moment, slipping and falling down-and accidently pulling the other down with him.

He blinked and groaned, the back of his head was throbbing slowly from where it hit the floor, and when he opened his eyes the Prince was atop of him. A slow blush formed on his face, and he tried to push him off, squirming under him.
"H....heavy...."
-
"Funny, you seem to think I didn't see the other fire wielders there. I don't have to threaten you, your sister is being followed remember." He threw down the wig in his hand, "That lie would make more sense if you weren't flipping and working with fire with long hair anyway. And you keep looking to the left, good job, drunk. Tell me the tru- AH!" He fell with a thud, wincing as the hilt of his knife dug into his side. He looked down, eyes widening at Rontu's blush then turning in to a glare.

 "Or I could find... other ways to make you stop talking to me like I'm NOT the prince." He said, voice low, bringing his face an inch from Rontu's, "You really should stop being a little bitch and tell me the truth. I don't need to kill you to get what I want." He lifted the majority of his weight off of the acrobat by placing his arms on both sides of her and balancing on those. He kept his body pressed to her's though, grinning maliciously.
-
"Ughh,myheadisthrobbing...." Rontu mumbled under his breath, closing his eyes and yawning a bit, only to grunt and look up at him when he let off some. He blinked for a moment, and squinted.

He stared up at him silently for a moment, then chuckled. "They learned from me...and you saw, they kept messing up, and one of them even set their pants on fire."
As he neared his face, Rontu blinked suddenly, frowning up at him, honest confusion in his face before his eyes widened and he gasped.

"....You're the Prince?!"
Oh boy, he was really drunk.
-
Xavier groaned in exasperation and put all his weight on one arm, reaching into one of the many hidden pockets in his breeches. He pulled out a smelling salt pellet (These are kept with him in case he needs to wake up an unconscious opponent to ream him for information.) and held it up to the girl's nose. When she'd inhaled enough to cut through the haze of drunkenness he returned the item to it's original place.

"Now then, you cocky little shit, I don't have to find them. And you WILL listen to me and stop saying those disrespectful things." Years of noble training laced every word with a commanding tone and he rested his arm back on the floor.
-

Wha?
He sniffed, made a face, but continued to inhale it, blinking slowly-ohhh, his head...
As his mind cleared, realization hit him and he gasped, stuttering for a moment.
"I-I-Ihadn'tmeant-itwasanaccident,Ijust...."

Oh, well he did mean his words-but he hadn't meant to say them out loud! He flushed with shame and squirmed under him, chewing his lower lip as he paled, averting his gaze as the Prince snapped at him.
"I....I apologize, m-my lord...I-I spoke without thinking..." He finally mumbled, shocked at himself-sure, he detested nobles-but he never let them know that! Ah, curse that-that delicious tasting stuff...what was it, wine? Yes....evil shit that was.

Rontu meekly stared up at him, and swallowed lightly, shivering under him for a moment.
"I.....I like my hair short-wh...what importance is-is it if I-I wear a wig, my lord?"
-
"You just what? Insulted me? Yes, you did." He growled as an answer, smirking as the girl's stupor wore off.

"Oh you spoke without thinking? I had no idea." Came the mocking reply, sarcasm heavy. He spoke seriously, "I should really punish you for that. You deserve it." He ground his hips into Rontu's, and whispered cruelly "I really should."

"Bullshit. First you say one thing, then another. Truth."
-

Rontu swallowed thickly, silent for a moment, fearful-he parted his lips to speak, only to gasp in surprise as the other ground against him-oh-oh shit... He moaned softly under his breath, flushing as he squirmed under him. He could f-feel the prince, c-could feel his-
"A-ah..st...stop-" He breathed out, unused to the odd feeling heading down south, that bubbling...passion? He wriggled against him, trying to pull away as the other ground against him.

He...he was unused to this! He could feel his undergarments clinging to his front, his shaft rising against the dress edge, and he bit his lower lip, hoping, praying the Prince didn't notice or feel it as he tried to press back and avoid it, turning his head to the side, biting his lower lip.
"I-i-itdoesn'tmatterwhyIhaveshorthair!" He hissed out, trying not to moan as he bit down on his lower lip, and started to push at his chest.
"g-aah, r-r-reallynow,it-it'snotthatimportant!"


OhGod.Getoffgetoffgetoff!
-

"Why should I? Or have you forgotten your status already?" He smirked, doing as he pleased, grinning like a chesire cat when Rontu moaned, "It matters because I don't like you lying to me, now tell me the truth-"

What the... hold on. That.. what...
Xavier lifted his body and peered down at Rontu's waist, "Now, .. that.. can't be normal. You're..." He glared up at the acrobat, "Unless... short hair and ..." Taking a chance he hooked a finger on the neckline of the 'girls' dress and pulled a bit. "Are those sandbags..."
-


When he continued, he writhed under him, another low moan leaving him until-the other stopped and he was panting heavily, his eyes glazed with lust, and then panic when the other lifted his body-he didn't even have to look down to know what the other was looking at. He flushed hard and swallowed, his hands curling into fits at the sides of his head, and he tensed up when the other lowered the front of his dress, staring at the bags....
He bit his lower lip, flushing before he managed to push the other off and scoot away, fixing his dress over his front, and sititng with his knees up a bit, hiding his obvious arousal, face reddening. Oh...screw it.

He unbuttoned the back of his dress, just a bit, and trembling he pulled out the two bags and dropped them to the side, closing up his dress, and crossing his arms, silent now, embarassed, biting his lower lip as he glared at the floor.
".......I'm a boy." He whispered after a moment, swallowing quietly and chewing his lower lip.
-
Xavier sat back on his haunches, obviously confused. He watched the other closer as she... er... he, removed to contraption and admitted his gender. He remained expressionless with his chin in his hand. "I... see. Why did you lie?"

He kept his voice level, trying not to let the anger in him rise to the surface again. This was... rather strange. Actually, rather strange was putting it mildly, this was down right weird. The prince rolled back onto the balls of his feet before standing and leaning against the table edge, eyes trained on Rontu. "Your name makes a lot more sense now."

What would the king say now? He'd brought a male slave. Damnit, he'd never hear the end of it. Specially since he had just.. on the floor ... oh crap, he was in for it when his dad found out.
-

Rontu closed his eyes as the other slowly stood-he could hear the anger in his voice, however hard he tried to hide it, and he swallowed lightly and closed his eyes.
".....It-it's easier, to have a double act if we were the same gender. Th....the whole village knew, and-and it was easier-we got more gold than we did with me dressed normally.....And when people came to visit our town, and they didn't know about me, we got more coins. It...was easier, okay? I-I don't like dressing like this, but if I didn't we'd go hungry...."

It was true, double acts were more highly prized than single acts, and usually male and female groups had to be overly romantic. Of course being twins, that was disgusting, so same gender worked. Originally they had dressed as boys until Isabel's breasts grew in, and when money became scarce and less food on the plates, Rontu agreed to dress as a girl.

"We just...didn't want to die of hunger. It's ironic, being so close to a rich capital, and being so poor..." He spoke bitterly now, resting his elbows on his knees, staring down at the ground, more like glaring.
"I...hadn't meant to trick you, but I didn't get a chance to tell you either.......and now you know.....Guess you're pissed beyond reasoning."
What was going to happen? Despite how calm he seemed, he was panicking inside. Would he be dead now? Would hte Prince kill him, or or rape him maybe? Like those rumors.....
-
He crossed his arms, nodding slightly at the explanation. He couldn't deny it made sense, it really did. And it explained quite a few... looks. Well, damnit. "I... no... No, I'm not angry. Annoyed, yes, not angry." Annoyed at the fact that the .. guy... still making shots at higher classes. Really, who did he think fought in the wars? Not peasants, that's for sure. Who ran the economy that kept them ALL from starving? Who had to have their lives chosen for them? At least the acrobat could chose for himself, he had freedom... well, til now. Perhaps that was a small respite.

"Oh for crying out loud, quit looking at me like I'm going to rip your face off. It's not like you didn't enjoy it." He glared and pointed at Rontu's waist with a matter-of-fact tone. God above, that was rich. Why was he even explaining himself to a slave? Why did he even care? Damn Ona. Damn no room in the servants quarters. Just.. damn it all.
-
His shoulders slummped with relief, though his face didn't show it as he kept his eyes to the ground. Not angry-so...he was going to live?
He sighed in relief only to flush and glare up at him.

"I-I-I didn't enjoy it! It-you-you were all rubbing and-and-it just happened, not my fault, nothing I wanted!" He flushed as he tried to explain it, closing his knees together, as if ashamed, and he bit his lower lip, swallowing a bit before he sighed softly, rubbing his face. Oh lord, what a mess. He slowly stood up, hands over his front a bit, flushing-he was still aroused, again, not his fault, and he shifted uneasily on each foot, staring at the ground a bit, his face red as a cherry.

"....Can I um....change out of hte dress now?...Or....?"
-
Xavier ripped his eyes away from Rontu and glared at the floor. Ouch. He straightened up, and sighed, "Sure, whatever you say." He looked back again from behind his hair, "You keep telling yourself that." At the moment, the prince hoped the male got blue balls so bad his descendants would feel it. Petty? Maybe.

"I.. don't know actually. I don't think I really want the King finding out that you aren't female. You heard what he said back in Nernan. I'll... I'll ask Ona what she thinks later. If you want to change go right ahead." He walked over to his bed, turning his back on the boy. "I'll be over here if you want to change. You are not allowed in that bathroom except for emergencies. I don't need it destroyed more than it already is."
-
"I-I'm not lying! I-I don't like men, okay?!"
He stammered out, face red as he swallowed thickly, then nodded....
"I-it's not like you and I will, um, do anything... But I'd rather not have the king get pissed off and kill me over this..."
Of course he wanted to change, but when the other merely turned his back, he gaped at him for a moment.

"Y....you mean I-I can't use the bathroom?...W-well where the hell am I supposed to go when I need to?! B-besides.....you'll peek." He mumbled that last bit under his breath-he hadn't forgotten what the King had said, and he'd rather not have a male lusting Prince after him. He could feel this pain now, throbbing down there-he knew he had to fix it, he had been so busy his entire life, he never really did, err, pleasure himself, though he always heard men bragging about it and such... Eep, don'tthinkaboutit....
He shifted uneasily again, the front of his dress tenting out as he pressed it down, chewing his lower lip.
"Um.....I didn't bring anything other than dresses...."
-
"Sure." He sat on the bed and opened the drawer of the nightstand, pulling out a small book. "And I'd like to be able to walk for the next month so yeah, we aren't telling him." He opened the book, flipping to the page he'd left off at before the festival. He smirked, control was easy and he certainly wouldn't be feeling any pain.

"No, you can't. General toilet uses count as emergencies and." He jerked his head around, "Oh fuck you, I would bloody not. Even if I wanted to look at your skinny, pathetic little body I could. You're a SLAVE, remember." Xavier turned back, staring at the book with anger but not really reading it. He slammed it shut at Rontu's last statement, "Oh for...  you have the riding clothes for yesterday, don't you? Wear those."

He glared at the book again, annoyed with himself for shutting it for now he'd lost his page. He flipped through it, trying to concentrate on it rather than the male on the other side of his room. Might as well read instead of staring at the wall knowing what was behind him.
-
Rontu blinked, then narrowed his eyes.
"Pathetic?! I'll have you know this body is WAY stronger, flexibler (I know it's not a word) and way better than your stumpy body!" He grabbed the bag off the bed and stormed into the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it behind him, huffing.
His body wasn't that skinny and-and he wasn't pathetic!
"...I'll have you know girls fawned all over me back at town," He called out as he pulled off the dress, relief now as he pulled on breeches and the tunic-it was less constricting at the chest now that he had no sacks of sand.
Before he closed the breeches, he stared at his shaft... Err....
 He gave a glance to the door before he moved over to the toilet, flushing-he remembered what he heard in taverns and such, and, now embarrassed, he took a hold of it in one hand....

"M-mn...." He clamped a hand over his mouth when he did the first stroke, shivering with delight for a moment-holyfuck. Again, more firmly, and soon he had a rhythm, covering his mouth and breathing harshly through his nose, silencing himself as he worked harder, and harder....
Hell if he thought of doign this before or after shows-definitely would save stress, and fuck did it feel good....

He could feel the pleasure building, and soon his shaft was dribbling-he was bending over the toilet now, his legs wobbling as he bit down on his hand, a soft moan muffled-he spasmed as he came, sucking in a sharp breath and crying out into his fist, hopefully the other didn't hear that...
As he finished his legs gave way, and panting hard he sat on the floor, back to the wall and eyes closed.
After a while, he cleaned up, face red as he washed his hands and flushed the toilet, zipping up the breeches and tucking the dress into his bag, closing it up before leaving the bathroom and dropping his bag onto the bed, sitting there and chewing his lower lip.
.....He had to get out of here.
-

"You're just jealous that people liked me for who I am and not who my father is!" He retorted, crossing his arms, only to blink and flush red as the other-
"P...pervert."
He.....he wasn't that, um, loud was he?
He turned his back to the other, wriggling in place for a moment, tense-oh God, how embarrassing-he....heard him?! And why the hell had he not been affected by-by the grinding from earlier? I mean hell, what did he have, ED or something?
Would explain why he was such an ass.

Rontu crossed his legs under him, shifting now so that his back was against the headboard, and he was digging through his bag idly, intent on ignoring the Prince now. He shifted through small trinkets he had picked up here and there, and eventually he calmed a bit-he even smiled as he fingered a small little bone whistle in his bag, digging past fabrics and stuff..... Ahh, he was feeling homesick... and Issie-would she realize she was being followed soon?
-
"You know, you keep insulting me. You do know that I have someone following your sister, right? You were there when I told him to do so." Threats were no fun when they were subtle. He sat up, leaning his back against the headboard, flicking his eyes at Rontu's back before looking at the book.

"Yeah, I'm the pervert. Hate to break it to you but I'm not the one jacking off in the bathroom. So, who's the pervert exactly?" Xavier chuckled to himself, wondering exactly what he'd do with the boy once the King returned from his trip. Make him dress like a girl again?
-
He paled then, looking to him in shock before he turned away. Fuck.
He bit his lower lip, though the other didn't press on the issue, he swallowed quietly, his voice hollow.
"....If anything happens to her......" He trailed off coldly, hands curling into fists as he glared at the window. It wasn't a threat, it was more of a warning-he didn'tk now what he'd do if she was dead-he was already hurting from not being around her, being so far away-no doubt she was feeling it too....

After a moment, the topic was changed, and his face reddened as he pulled a pillow into his arms, hugging it tightly.
"W-w-well what e-else was I s-supposed to do?! It.........itwashurting...." He mumbled softly that last bit, looking away, face red before he buried it into the pillow. He still felt sore, and it took him a moment to realize he hadn't done his normal exercise.....Well there was no reason to do them now, and besides, he was sure the Prince would....watch....
He needed to though, because he was planning on escaping via window....
-
Xavier blinked and stood abruptly, stalking over the the male like a cat eyeing it's prey. Stopping in front of Rontu, hand brushing across the hilt of his knife, "Did you just threaten me? You? The slave?" He pushed the pillow down til he could see the boy's face. "Of course it was hurting, that's why you weren't allowed in the bathroom. You weren't supposed to take care of it but you didn't listen to that either, did you? You don't listen to a damn word I say despite being in a position where I could very easily have everything you care about destroyed."

With a few flicks of his wrist the knife was out of it's sheath and buried in the mattress beside the acrobat, so close to his thigh it had torn the leggings slightly. "It's not fucking funny."
-

When the pillow was pushed down-Rontu's eyes were red-he had been crying. HE sucked in a breath when he saw the hand on the blade, and went still, tense... He slowly pulled his eyes up, staring at him, swallowing quietly, only to flinch and gasp as the knife stabbed into the mattress. He felt it slice his pants and he scooted to the side for a moment, his eyes never leaving the other's.... He was trembling quietly, and finally e tore his eyes away, clutching the pillow as he stared down, taking a small breath.
"....I'msorry." He whispered and said nothing more, merely sitting there, quivering in place and clutching the pillow as if it was a means of his life. He felt the tears blurring his vision and he only blinked them away.

He hadn't wanted this-he didn't want to blame Issie for this but-but damn it! He just.....it....it wasn't fair, and that's what tore at him. The fact that he hated royalty so mcuh, and yet had to be here, had to obey and listen-he hated that, and he knew that would get in the way of his thoughts, and yet....
"...I-I'm sorry." Another whisper, only louder than the first, and his voice wavered as he let out a shaky breath, closing his eyes.
"It....it's not funny at all.....my lord. I......I won't disobey again..."
-
Xavier brought his fingers under the boy's chin, bringing up his face, a gesture quite reminiscent of that night in the caravan, as he yanked the knife out of the mattress and placed it in its holder, "There now, was that so hard?"

Oh crap, Rontu was crying. How could someone make him feel angry and guilty within 5 minutes. It had happened multiple times this morning and it was just the first day, "If you listen, you'll be fine. If you listen, I won't hurt you. I don't want to, so don't make me." He kept his hand there, holding up the acrobat's face just in case he tried to look away again.

The look of hatred, he'd rather that over the disgust radiating from the other male every so often. If Rontu would listen, he could pretend that the moment on the floor hadn't felt great. He could pretend he hadn't listened with such keen interest. He could treat this one as a slave should be treated. Indifference.
-
As his face was lifted, he tensed, closing his eyes for a moment-it made a few tears leak out, and when he opened his eyes, the other withdrew the blade and slipped it back into it's sheath.

He swallowed quietly and made to look away, if only for a second, but the other's eyes drew him back, and he clutched the pillow, giving a small sniff.
"........Yes..." He muttered honestly, swallowing again and bringing a hand to quickly wipe at his eyes, keeping his face there, held up by that surprisingly gentle hand ,that moment before had stabbed into the bed.

".....I....I'll listen...I just.....fuuuuuuck..."
It was a hellovalot to take in, a headache was forming and he was filled with distraught again.
Oh, Issie.... His shoulders quivered but he didn't cry again, blinking quickly hugging the pillow tightly and silently, sniffing every so often.

".....I...I'll be good...Just....just don't hurt my sister.......please..."
-

Oh god no. He had no idea what to do, Rontu bursting into tears was not what he expected. Xavier decided to try what Ona did for him when he was younger, so he sat on the bed and pulled the male into a hug, "I'm sorry, please don't cry! I won't hurt her, I just.. agh, I'm sorry."

... Wait, did he just go from threatening the male with bodily harm to comforting him? Really? This acrobat was going to cause him to develop a mental disorder and it was the first fucking DAY.
-
"..Sh.......She's all I have left....."
Alright, it was fucking surprising to be held.
When the other had made for him, he actually recoiled at first, a hiccup caught in his throat. Arms encircled him, and he found his face against the other's chest. He blinked, and hearing the apologies his shoulders trembled and he closed his eyes, fresh tears leaking out.

Oh fuck he was confused now, and yet he found himself pulling into him more, burying his face into his chest, silently sobbing against him.
He was silent, unresponsive for a while before he pulled away slowly, rubbing at his red eyes and sniffling, eyes down cast as he nodded quietly.
The prince.....was odd, he was torn between hating his guts and being mildly okay with him-he secretly admitted to himself that the comfort was nice, that relaxed feeling of being in his arms-

His face reddened somewhat and he tucked his head down into the pillow for a moment, shaking his head.
Nononononono. No, he wasn't into that-it was just an emotional surge he felt. Yes, that's what it was.
He swallowed and made to look up, faltering and lowering his gaze rather quickly.
"Y.....y-you're confusing...." He spoke after a while, holding the pillow and looking off to the side, rubbing at his eyes again.
-

He really did not like this horribly guilty feeling the crying was triggering. The prince sighed, really, his first slave and he was making a horrible mess of it. He could already hear the handmaid giggling, she'd known, she always knew. Hadn't she helped the boy change back in Nernan? Xavier tried not to pull away when Rontu accepted the hug, and the head pressed against his chest really didn't help that lump in his throat.

When Rontu pulled away he let his arms fall to his side, "I'm sorry..." He quietly said again, eyes flicking to the floor before looking back. Why... why was the male's face red? And why in the world did he shake his head? Did... he didn't believe him, well, that wasn't surprising. Wait.. He listened to the stuttering statement and gave a small smile, "You are too. I'm supposed to be mad at you, yet you make me feel guilty."

Why WAS that? He was sure that would be considered a weakness. Maybe he could ask Ona later. She was pretty much his mother-figure, having been with him since day 1, so, she'd probably know why...
-
He hiccuped and wiped at his face with the back of his wrist, sniffing again and gave a soft smile back, shrugging.
"I guess-"

There was a knock on the door and the boy looked over his shoulder, startled for a moment.
"My lord, a request from Lady Mia, to have tea with her on the balcony above the garden maze. She said...and I quote, 'bring your new little pet'."
It was no secret that Lady Mia loved the Prince, despite how he ignored her advances and such, but she was not one to be trifled with, and to ignore her request would obviously make the King annoyed, for he considered her a suitable bride.

"...Pet?" Rontu whispered, almost annoyed-his eyes fell over the wig on the table, and he crawled off the bed, picking it up and the clasps as the messenger knocked again.
"My lord, are you there?"
Rontu glanced over to the Prince  when he replied, before he clipped his hair back and lowered his head, pushing the wig on and attaching the snaps to the clips. He flipped his hair back as he stood, adjusting it a bit before he picked up the bags of sand, flushing lightly as he dropped it on the bed and dug through his bag, pulling out a dark green dress. He stared down at it, then flushed.
"Um.....don't peek...."
Of course the other said he wasn't interested-but he still didn't want eyes on him.
-
He chuckled, "My pet, I guess, the horror." Standing the prince answered the servant's question with a barked yes, realizing with a groan who he was about to face.

Xavier sighed, she was such an overbearing woman. She was worse than Isabel by far because he could do NOTHING to stop her because of his damn father. The was likely the reason he'd been so harsh on the twin sister, her forward manner reminding him way too much of Lady Mia. He stood quickly, shucking a tear stained shirt in exchange for a fresh one from his drawer and a more formal jacket.

He heard Rontu say something else and turned, "What did you sa-" With a squeak he turned around quickly. No peeking had obviously been what was stated by any guess of the acrobat's state of undress. "Didn't mean to do that!" Xavier shook his head, why was he pretty much apologizing. Rontu was a slave damnit. A slave.

He waited until the male was done then turned again, "After this we'll go down to my arena and start the fire training." He walked to the door, opening it for the "girl".
-
"H-HEY"!
He gasped, flushing-he was in his undergarments, one leg in the dress. He pulled it up wuickly to cover his front, face red as the other turned back quickly aorund.
"L-liar...." He mumbled as he pulled up the dress, slipping into it and sliding the sacks and straps, fitting into it. He zipped up the dress, and making sure the other didn't see, bounced lightly in place to see if they'd shift. When he was assured they'd stay in place, he zipped up the back of his dress and fixed his hair a bit more, slipping on his shoes-simple made moccasins- and as the door was opened he flushed lightly, chewing his lower lip.
"Thought I was a slave..." He mumbled as he stepped out, blinking in surprise. The hallway was elegant, grand, with marble flooring. He gawked a bit, staring at it all, then at the messenger. He lowered his gaze when the messenger blinked, then grinned at him.
"Why hello there miss-" He broke off when the Prince stepped out, and he quickly bowed to the Prince, then turned to lead the two down the hallway.
Rontu took a step behind Prince Xavier, and though he knew slaves didn't raise their eyes-he couldn't stop looking around and gaping at elegant things here and there.
Soon they stopped near a balcony, and Rontu stared at the lone table covered in luxeries and food. Sitting there with a maid holding a lace umbrella over a lady. She was blonde with green eyes, pale skin-she was...beautiful. Rontu stood there, flushing and staring at her-hotdamn.
She was reading a book, but when she heard them approach she marked her place and looked up, smiling and extending her hand to Xavier for him to kiss.
"Why, Prince Xavier, how wonderful to see you~ And I see you brought your little pet...." She looked towards Rontu know, who swallowed and looked down a bit, and she 'hmmed' quietly.
"She doesn't look like much.... She's far too skinny, and that hair-pitch black like the devil's....She's short as well-seriously Xavier, why even take her? I doubt she can do any task, let alone....satisfy you."

She stood up now, and slowly circled Rontu, hmphing lightly.
"Can you sing, slave? I bet that's why he chose you. Sing to me."
"I-Uh...m-my lady....I can't sing." He spoke quietly, chewing his inner cheek. She frowned, then crossed her arms.
"Can you dance?"
"N...not in regular ways, my lady..."
"Then what use are you?"
".....I am merely a performer, my lady...."
"Sexual? Oh of course not, your a gangly thing."

That shut him up, and she laughed as his face reddened as he stammered, only she interrupted him by snapping at him that slaves should only speak when spoken to. She then smiled to Xavier, and sat back down.
"Care for some tea, my lord? Your little slave needs discipline....oh, I know." She motioned for a hand maid and spoke to her quietly, then smiled and motioned Rontu to look over the balcony.
"Do you see that? All the hedges are cut to make a maze. Each push is eight foot high, and you can see the entire maze from up here. Now, I've sent my maid to place my fan at the center of the maze. Go find it for me."

Rontu blinked, then glanced towards Xavier, only the lady snapped at him again for looking around. He ducked his head down, hands curling into fists, gritting his teeth as she told a maid to lead him downstairs. He threw a glare over his shoulder when the woman wasn't looking, and he stuck his tongue out before he was led down the stairs into the garden. The maid led him to the far side opening, and when he looked up, he could see the balcony. The lady Mia looked down at him and waved, and he gave a gold grin, knowing he couldn't hear her.
"That's right, bitch, you goo n and wave...."
-

"You are, that doesn't mean I can't have manners." He smirked, like it wasn't already obvious he was bad at this 'slave thing'. He shut the door behind him, giving a sharp glare to the servant that was outside. Xavier followed the messenger, efficiently staring ahead, he'd seen these things many times over. A quick glance back made him chuckle, the acrobat was going to get whiplash if he kept spinning his head like that.

They arrived at the place his father had permanently set aside for the lady. Mentally, he rolled his eyes. If his majesty liked her that much why didn't HE marry her. It's not like Xavier's mother was still alive. But he sucked it up and bowed, barely ghosting his lips across her hand. It wasn't completely horrid spending time with her, the woman seemed to love putting her chest on display and his eyes really didn't mind that. "The pleasure is all mine might I say that you look absolutely lovely today." He nodded, straightening from the bow, "Yes, got her in Nernan only recently, but I'm betting someone as... resourceful as you already knew that."

He raised an eyebrow at her criticisms of Rontu, trying desperately not to laugh. Was the high noble lady jealous of some slave? Wait, what was that insult? "I happen to like her hair, considering tis very near my own shade." The prince sat when the servant pulled out a chair for him. He merely listened as the woman interrogated Rontu, why didn't she just ask him? .... Oh he wished he could tell her about Isabel. Damn she would turn such a satisfying shade of green.

Xavier nodded at the question of tea, thanking the servant when he was poured some. He almost chocked on a sip of the tea when he saw Rontu stick out his tongue at the lady. When questioned what was wrong, he merely waved it off as an accident rather than the laughter it had almost turned in to. "Well, my dear, I brought her because she can wield fire. I find that could be very useful in battle and she was the best in the town. You really shouldn't order my slaves around, Mia, they aren't your property. One might consider that... undermining my authority. You understand, of course." A gracious smile coupled with a cruel glint in his eyes made her flinch.

"Your maze is looking far more elaborate this year." His eyes scanned it, already noting many exit and entrance routes. Mazes, puzzles, they'd always come easy to him, much to the dismay of the Lady who had constantly tried to get him and her lost in it. When Rontu appeared down there he remained expressionless, it would do no good to let the lady know that he wasn't completely indifferent towards the acrobat.
-
Mia smiled and sipped her tea, staring down at the maze.
"They say women are the devil themselves-I meant no insult to you, my lord..."
She trailed off as she could see Rontu, and she gave a mocking wave. She couldn't see the slave girl's face, but she could tell form her posture that she did not like this one bit. It made Mia smile more, and as the maid poured Prince Xavier's tea, she rose a fair brow and smiled.
"Undermining, my lord? I wouldn't call it that...considering within the following years, she'll become my slave." She was hinting on something, and she smiled quietly to herself, giggling at what she saw below.

"Oh, your slave is rather clumsy..."
"Stupid....bush!" He grunted as he tugged on the edge of hte dress-the maid at the entrance was laughing, and he flicked her off, grunting. Not even ten paces and his dress snagged! He gave it another tug and stumbled backwards, hitting the hedge. He swore loudly, to where Mia flushed-of course they were high up, and for him to just swear that loudly..
"Oh my, village girls are coarse of tongue, how horrid...."

She trailed off as Rontu now struggled with the back of his dress out of the hedge, and finally he stormed through the front part of the maze.
"Stupid wench...why the hell do I have to do this?! And stupid Xavier, trying not to laugh!" When the other had been holding back his laughter when that wench was snapping ath is looks, he felt he was laughing at him!

That made him angry, and he turned the corner, finding a dead end. It irked him when he heard Mia laughing, He growled and turned, heading down a different route. Every ten minutes he'd reach a dead end, or he felt he saw the place... He snagged his dress again, a piece ripping and falling, and a while later-he came across the fabric. He stared at it, then cried out in anger and punched at a hedge. He lost balance and fell halfway through, and with a hand on his wig he tugged himself out, falling back on his bum.


"Oh my, she's just sitting there.... No need to be lasy my dear!" She called out the last bit, but Rontu remained sitting there, knees up, head on them, swearing under his breath.
Minutes went by before he forced himself up, walking slower now, angered, and as he turned the corner, he saw a large fountain-and the fan sitting on the edge. He walked over and picked it up, blinking before he washed his face in the fountain.
Stupid wench.
He headed past the fountain, tucking the fan into his belt as he walked. He grew confused, but when he tried to go back, he couldn't find the fountain, and he grew distraught.
It had been hours now, he was starving and exhausted.....oh this pissed him off...
-
"Of course, do not undermine your gender, m'dear, you've been listening to Father Caht too much." After hearing 'devil' and 'women are the devil' come from the Lady's mouth it was obvious she had been. The man was a painfully annoying zealot that both him and his father had run off many times. Xavier enjoyed the tea for a moment, smirking coldy at her reply, "Oh you think so do you? Well, until that happens please don't. She is my property and I would rather she only obeyed me, alright?"

He winced as Rontu fell, "Yeah..." What acrobat was clumsy? ... Oh wait, he thought back to the many times the slave had fallen since he'd met him. Well, ok, not the most graceful acrobat. Xavier gripped the arm of his chair with one hand, setting the tea down with his other. "Heh, I assume most of us would swear when frustrated. Or, well, I don't think you would, right? Too much of a lady."

An eyelid twitched when she called the boy lazy. LAZY? She sat on her ass all day while that slave had worked for every bite. She had never worked a day in her life, at least most of the other nobles did paperwork, charity, strategy, tactics, war, SOMETHING. She did piddly squat.

After an hour or two had passed of Rontu wandering and looking more tired by the minute he asked Lady Mia to send someone for 'her'. He was getting really sick of the blatant flirting and the cocky attitude the woman had of their 'impending marriage.'

"Oh, but the slave needs to get out herself, that's the rules."

"Woman, Remember your place." He stood, glaring at her, striding out of the room and down to the maze. After a bit of searching and listening he finally found Rontu.

"Come on, I'll get you out of here." He grasped his arm gently, turning around to lead the slave out when Mia called from her balcony.

"You could have left the little slut there! You're a prince and shouldn't be traipsing about down there!"

Xavier growled and whipped around to face Rontu, "This will shut that bitch up." He wrapped a hand around the back of the acrobat's neck, pulling him closer and planting a rather long kiss on his lips. A screech of indignation from the balcony assured the prince that the Lady Mia had seen it. He pulled away, staring at Rontu to gauge his reaction before turning and pulling on his arm again.

Once they were out of the maze, he led the slave back up to Lady Mia's balcony, "See? Wasn't it much more efficient to just retrieve her?"
-
He was breathing hard, sweating, with tiny cuts from branches over his arms, and his dress was ruined. He gasped softly when he felt a hand on his arm, turning quickly and blinking in surprise. He wiped some sweat and mud from his face, breathing hard and shaking his head.
"I thought I had to....ah screw it, get me out of here...." He mumbled softly, only to blink and glare up at the lady. Wha-slut!? Look who was talking-she was worse than Issie, and Issie was a virgin!
He was following slowly, exhausted, tired, only when Xavier turned to look at him, he blinked slowly. Was he ....going to leave him?
"Wha-"

Lips crashed against his and he gasped-an arm pulled him closer, another by the neck, and his eyes widened in the kiss..... His eyes closed somewhat, just a bit-wh.....he felt a surge in his chest that reached his gut-a fluttering feeling that vibrated through him.
When he heard the screech, he snapped from his thoughts and opened his eyes, exhaling a breath he held as Prince Xavier stood back.
Wh...... his mind was a dazed blur, his cheeks flushed red. He was breathing softly, stunned into obedience as he followed him out. It seemed his mind was blank for a moment, only when he saw Mia, standing there, annoyed-his mind jogged and he flushed red-but this time with anger. He pulled from Xavier and stormed ahead of him, his eyes a blaze as he pulled out the fan, and opened it. She blinked in surprise, then smiled and reached out to take it, only he drew it back, fanning himself for a moment.
"I'd like to see you try that, bitch." And with one movement, he slapped her hard with the lace fan, dropping it into her outstretched hand as she gawked at him, a hand on her reddening cheek.

"Y....you horrible little wretch! How dare you-" She swung out with her hand and slapped him hard. He glared-and gave a hard tug on her hair, messing it up. She slapped him then grabbed him, and both of them yellign and cursing they fell to the ground, struggling to fight-Rontu could have easily punched her and such, but he was holding back despite his anger, only now the lady Mia was on top, punching and-now he was on top, pulling her hair as she scratched at him.
"You rich bitch!"
"Common slut!"
-
Xavier had laughed at Rontu's words, they were true, Lady Mia couldn't do that if she tried.

But then yelped as Rontu hit her, "You can't do that-" And then she hit him, "Don't touch my-" And then they fought, "Oh fuck it." He reached down, grabbing both of them by an arm and holding them as far apart from each other as possible, receiving a few scratches in the process. Eyes glittering with concealed mirth he feigned a glare to Rontu.

"You know better! You WILL be punished when we return!" Expression hardening as he turned to Lady Mia, "And your actions are unbecoming of a Lady of your status. I will be LEAVING now."
-
As they were separated, they made a few more lunges at each other until the Prince yelled at Rontu. He flinched as Mia snickered, and he glared up somewhat at Xavier.
"But-but she started it!"
And then he snapped at Mia, and Rontu felt a bit better, flashing her a smug look, though-was he going to get punished? He licked some blood from his lips, crossing his arms and brooding a bit.

He shifted, and crossed his arms. Something felt wrong, and when he glanced down, he realized one breast was smaller, and a pile of sand was starting to fall on the floor. He turned his back ot them both quickly, putting a hand over his chest-dammit, her nails must've torn a boob!
He bit down on his lower lip, then winced-it was split from a hit she gave him...

"That little harlot started this and-" As he snapped at her, Mia gasped softly, a hurt look forming on her bruised face. She huffed lightly and glared at Rontu, then turned and hastily left. Rontu glanced over his shoulder, watching her leave, cupping his chest a bit...
"........Skank."
-
"I really don't care who started it." He muttered to himself as she left, turning to Rontu.

"Really? Attacking nobles? What are you smoking... Huh, well that's not good." Only one reason the slave would be in a posture like that. Eyes scanning the floor, he saw a bit of the mess and kicked it with his boot so it merely looked like a messy footprint. "Let's get you back before you leak anymore, madam."

He put his hand back on Rontu's arm, steering him out the door while flashing a smile at the maid going in the door, "Please tell your mistress that I will send reparations for her dress."

She nodded, bewildered and the royal left, dragging his slave along behind, "Do you have any idea how much that dress of hers probably cost? Damnit, that's going to rape my wallet." After a walk Xavier opened the door to his bedroom and led Rontu in, shutting and bolting the door behind him.

"Though, I won't lie. It was nice to see that little bitch get her ass kicked." He looked down at Rontu's chest, "Hmm, I bet Ona can fix that... Oh um... Oh I can't tell her can I? Um.." He shook his head, trying to figure out a solution to fixing the contraption, "You know, she wouldn't tell Dad, yeah, here, give me me, I'll take it to her."

Xavier reached over, unbuttoning Rontu's dress from behind and unhooking the sandbags from his body, slipping them over the acrobat's head, he chuckled, "You are more trouble than your worth."
-
"That no good-she started it-and she got what she deserved! What the hell did I ever do to her for her to hate my guts?!" He hissed to Xavier as he walked with him up the stairs, and as the other noticed he flushed lightly,almost dropping his hand from his chest but deciding against it.

"Why the hell would she even buy a pricey dress-it doesn't even look good. She looks fat in it."
Alright, he was still obviously pissed about the whole ordeal, crossing his arms as they entered the room, and he snorted quietly.
"Besides, I didn't tear it, just pulled and crap-look at me! She should pay for this, but that wouldn't even dent her wallet."
Muddy, torn, it wasn't even green anymore but a dark brown in the front. As the other looked down at his chest, he flushed lightly-why was it even bothering him?! It...it wasn't like they were real...

"She doesn't know, so, um....I guess?..." Tell her or not, he didn't know-as long as it didn't result in his death.
"as the other walked around him and unzipped him, he shivered as a breeze kissed his skin.
"D-do you mind?! I can take it off myself thankyouverymuch!" But the other slipped it off, spilling sand over Rontu's head when it was removed. the boy shook out his hair and closed his eyes, slipping up the dress quickly, then spitting some out to the side, snorting.

"That tramp is trouble, oozing all over you like that-does she even know your gay?" He moved over to his bag, holding the front as he pulled outa long sleeved leather top that revealed midriff-ahhh, he must've grabbed Isabel's top instead of his.... He grabbed the rest of the things and laid them out on the bed.
"....I'm goign to go change, um, if we're still doing the fire wielding. Get a leather outfit and gloves." He made sure the Prince turned before he dropped the muddy, ruined garments, and it took him a moment to slip into black pants-skin tight. He paused, then flushed, sticking his hand in his pants and sliding in a cup to push 'it' back, giving him a smooth front now, feminine. He wore on a black vest now, and slipped into leather knee pads and boots, then slid on the leather top, his midriff covered by the black spandex. He at last slid on leather gloves with slits at the knuckles, and oddly enough, they were fingerless.
 He tied his hair back and then slid on a leather bit around his neck, the thick part resting against his chest. He made sure everything was skin tight besides the leather, no loose ends, then he sat on the bed.

"Um, I don't know where my fire kit is-can you bring it here? And we'll need open space, and tons of water. You're going to make a hell lot of mistakes.....full leather for you, I want you to be a walking cow ass. Leave nothing uncovered save for your head-you need the peripheral vision. Make sure you can bend in your clothes, you need to be quick, and agile. Now go get my boobs fixed.....and see if you can get me some ointment-please. One, you'll be burning yourself and you'll need it-and two, that damn bitch cut me up with her nails."
-
"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you could take it off yourself. Whatever," He grumbled, "Inefficient toothpick." He draped the contraption over his arm, turning and just standing there, giving the other male privacy while he ranted. At his next statement Xavier rolled his eyes, "Why do you care if she 'oozes' over me?" He paused, giving the boy enough time to respond, "It's what happens when someone wants you, or have you forgotten your sister already?" he snarled, "And for your information I have been with females many times, so seriously, enough."

He waited after that, listening to the instructions and nodding, "You suck as a slave, bossy thing. Alright, I'll be right back."

The prince left then, again, closing and bolting the door behind him. He walked down the hall to Ona's room and knocked.

"Oh, I'm glad you're here, may I come in? I need to speak with you in private." He asked hesitantly.

"Of course dear."

Once inside, Ona shut the door and asked him what the matter was. He explained the situation, extremely grateful when she agreed to help him keep the secret. Once she'd fixed the contraption he left, hearing her warning.

"The King will find out. Will it be because you tell the truth? Or will he have to uncover the lie?"

"Quit trying to sound ominous, you old biddy."

Xavier left for the barracks, retrieving his old leather armor from the storage there. It covered the majority of his body already, custom-made black leather. Was everything he owned black? Geez. He'd used it for early training with his assassin master and was pleased to see that it was only a little tight because of his height growth and general muscle growth. He had it adjusted at the blacksmiths, which took an hour or so, and arrived back at his bedroom, dressed in the armor and holding Rontu's fire bag in one hand, ointment in the other. "For your scratches you big baby."
-
Rontu stammered for a moment, then shrugged.
"I-I don't care at all-she-she's just sleazy is all I'm saying......M...my sister's different! She was....seizing an opprotunity."
He trailed off, only to chuckle, huffing in annoyance.
"So what? Yea I'm a slave, but am I going to sit obediently as you burn the entire castle down? Actually....I kinda would." He shrugged, teasing as the other left, and he laid down with a small grunt. he was still dirty, he wasn't sure if the Prince would let him bathe at all-ick. He probably bathed in perfume and crap.
Within an hour he was bored, but he was laying there, the time spent well-the gears in his head were working as he held up the little red marble into the light, staring up at it, a soft smile on his lips....If he was her, he'd head in the opposite direction of Dunsport.... That gives a five city chance at where she was right now. He'd have to look at a map when he got the chance.

When the other returned he took the contraption after tucking away the marble into his pocket, and when the Prince turned around he slipped it under his clothing and snapped it on before taking up the ointment. He dabbed a little over his wounds before he pocketed it, then looked at the Prince's clothing.
"....Hmnn, I guess it'll do...." He went to his bag and pulled out two straps of leather. He looped one around the other's neck, the heavy bit resting against his chest, and then the smaller band he tied about the other's forehead, making sure hte flat side was out, covering it. He examined him again, then nodded-eh, he was sure the Prince wouldn't burn himself too badly....

He took his bag from the other carefully, and as the Pricne unbolted the door he followed him, wearing black socks. The floor was cold as he was led down stairs and stairs, and finally outside. He looked up and about-he could run, but he doubted he'd make it far... In the courtard, people were giving them looks as Rontu headed to the center and settled his bag gently to the floor, opening it and peering in.
"Now then... my lord, if you'll please fetch me coals? Lots of them please."
He pulled out a tarp and laid it out at the center, pinning it with large rocks as he pulled out a canteen of oil, and a smaller container that held gasoline. He pulled out soem flint stones, sitting down now as he pulled out three torches. There seemed to be more things in his bag, but he closed it up-basics first, after all. When the servants arrived with coal and such, he took three and handed them to the Prince.

"Can you juggle, my lord?" He picked up three himself, and began to juggle them easily.
"You need to know how. And before you scoff at it being a performer's thing-I learned how to juggle from a knight of another country, it saved his life. Because, with juggling," He juggled faster, glancing around before he saw a training pole from afar, "Comes great aim and focus," One bit of coal seemed to vanish, and a second later, a clack was heard against hte pole, the coal falling nad leaving a black spot. He threw another, still holding a rhythm as he grabbed  two more coals, until all five coals hit the pole-and all at the same spot.
"Knives, daggers, slings-it's all about balance. Now then, try to juggle three pieces of coal. We wont' work with any fire until you get the basics down." Rontu then sat down, picking up some coal and juggling it idily, watching the other form his seated position, ready to correct him if necessary.'
-
 Xavier groaned, wishing and praying to whatever deity existed that no one would be in the courtyard and see him in this get-up, being bossed around by a rather non-slavelike slave. No such luck... of course.... His luck had taken a dive this whole damn week! He glared at a laughing recruit nearby, effectively silencing him. He watched Rontu set up his equipment with interest as servants retrieved the coal. "I'm amazed you could afford this stuff."

He tried to reply yes to the boy's next question but he just rambled on without him, even going so far as to, what the recruits were muttering, show off. Well, he could do that too, since Rontu wouldn't listen. Xavier smirked and walked past Rontu's equipment to the weapon rack. He chose 3 daggers of varying size and turned, "You know..." He flipped each one into the air and soon they were spinning in the classic circle, "I was trained by the best..." He threw each weapon, in a row they stabbed themselves into the dirt at Rontu's feet, across the field, "I'm not completely inept."

That earned a cheerful response from their growing and curious audience. He walked back over to the acrobat, bending down to yank each dagger from the ground, "Those rumors exist for a reason, Rontu." He set the daggers aside, grinning mildly.
-
"I did a lot of favors for folk just to get this all. Most of it I made though...." He trailed off as the other grabbed daggers, and he gawked for a moment as he watched him juggle. He watched the blades land neatly-he didn't flinch though he did blink, and he frowned at the cheering. Jerk.
"Well....alright then, you pass somewhat." Annoyed, he piled up some coals and began to douse them in oil.
"Make sure the oil is mixed with animal lard-it helps against preventing burns. The faster you juggle ,the less likely you'll get burned, but better safe than sorry. Also keeps them from burning out too quickly."

He picked up six coals and handed three to the other, then lit the ones in his hand-he began to juggle in fingerless gloves, at the same pace he did with unlit coals, then tapped them against Xavier's.
"Don't stop juggling, keep at it until the small stings fade." He moved his juggling to one hand as he bent to get a torch, and lit the tip with the passing coals before adding it into the mix.

"So you can juggle with daggers, and with coals. Have you tried them both? You'll need different weights in your hands, helps with the focus. I'm going to pass it to you, don't stop juggling, and focus on grabbing the non lit end." He smirked as he juggled, and tossed him the torch neatly, then began to douse the coals he had in his own hands, closing them in his fists before dropping them and picking up the small canteen of gasoline.
"Now then, don't stop juggling, you'll feel lightly burned at your finger tips by now but it'll fade away soon enough."
He brought the canteen to his lips and took a swig, though he did not swallow. He sloshed it aorund before he spat it out, wiping his lips as he watched Xavier before he blew out towards him. As his breath touched hte burning items in Xavier's hand, the fires expanded, and seemed to connect the items in a ring. Rontu blew again, then stood back.
"Keep the circle right, my lord, and I'll teach you how to make that into a whip if you can keep it in line for a minute."

[tired is gonna finish tomorrow]