Private The Princess and the Drifter

[Princess Daniela Virelle]

Her Radiance, Princess Daniela Virelle

The streets of Paradisum shimmered beneath the afternoon sun, their marble façades and rose-gold domes painted in light like a stage set for her entrance. Perfume clung to the air, woven from a dozen vendors' wares, saffron, myrrh, imported silks kissed with alchemical scents. Her retinue of guards moved in their practiced diamond, polished cuirasses gleaming, but Daniela hardly paid them mind. They were furniture, background to her stroll. Put in place by her father she only got out from under when she went on missions for the Diarchy.

That was when she saw him.

Not one of hers. Not a Paradisum dandy in brocade, nor a polished noble with a powdered smile. Scruffy brown hair falling perfectly, violet eyes that gleamed even from a distance. A stocky frame, moving through the noble marketplace. Somehow to everyone else he seemed to fit in perfectly but she saw something different... or specia...

Daniela slowed. Her lips parted "Who is that?" she murmured under her breath.

The guards glanced, uncertain. None answered fast enough for her liking. With a flick of her wrist, she dismissed them. "Stay."

Before they could protest, Daniela stepped free of their formation, crimson skirt whisping as she cut across the street. Her heart quickened, though she'd never admit it, a princess didn't chase. Yet here she was, slipping through the crowd after a stranger.

Whatever he was, he did not belong in Paradisum's marble order. And perhaps that was exactly why she couldn't look away.

Jafan Bibble

 

[Jafan Bibble]

JAFAN
"The Galaxy doesn't need saints. It needs shields."​

Tags: Princess Daniela Virelle

---

This place was far more fancy than Jafan was used to. There were a lot more colour than the greys and browns he had gotten used to. And the marketplace seemed far too extravagant for him, as the Wanderer strolled through the town, stretching his arms out carefully, unaware of the small little audience he had. Well, watcher would probably be more accurate. Jafan rubbed the back of his neck as he took in the sight of all of the goods for sale, pulling out a pathetic looking credit chit.

He could always try to yoink something to eat but for once, he was not in any rush to getting kicked off the planet. It seemed pretty nice and he wanted to enjoy it for at least a few days before he moved onto his next haunt. Taking a moment to adjust his hood, Jafan stopped for a moment, turning his head back and frowning for a moment at the sight of a crimson skirt seemingly coming his way.

It couldn't be for him...but he tried to test the idea out, taking a quick turn away from the market to see if he was being followed. In his eyes, having a stranger follow you usually didn't mean anything good.

---

— Outlaw • Wanderer • Protector —​

 

[Princess Daniela Virelle]

Her Radiance, Princess Daniela Virelle

He turned away. Daniela blinked, momentarily stunned. People usually turned toward her, to bow, to flatter, to scurry out of her path. They did not turn their back and vanish into the press of the crowd.

Her heels clicked faster, skirts gathered in one hand as she pursued. What sort of man ran from a princess?

Was he a thief? A criminal? Or simply someone too proud to bend knee? The thought sent a flicker of excitement through her chest, sharp as champagne bubbles.

"Hey wait!" she called after him, her voice slicing clean through the marketplace hum. Not accusatory, curious, playful.

Her stride lengthened, crimson skirts flaring with each step as she cut down the same turn he had taken. She caught the briefest flash of a hood, the unmistakable gleam of violet eyes glancing back over a shoulder.

"Honestly," she muttered under her breath, half to herself, half to the perfumed air. "Running from me of all people. Who does that?" Then she remembered the scary appearance of her mother and father. "Fair enough" she murmured again.

"Stop a moment. I… I have need of you."

The words tumbled out before she'd quite thought them through, leaving Daniela blinking at her own forwardness. Need of him? For what?

Jafan Bibble

 

[Jafan Bibble]

JAFAN
"The Galaxy doesn't need saints. It needs shields."​

Tags: Princess Daniela Virelle

---

"If I've learned anything, if some "shiny type" is following me around, it's not entirely a good thing."

As the woman turned the corner, Jafan was lifting up a deathstick to his mouth. There was a small slight bit of hesitation as he looked her up and down for a moment, raising an eyebrow. What did someone like this want from someone like him? Clearly couldn't be anything good. For now, he left the deathstick in his mouth, not lit as of yet.

"Listen here Miss. I don't work for free. And I don't work to take advantage of the needy. If someone's picked your pocket, find someone else to get your justice."

He folded his arms along his front as he stared down, taking the woman in front of him properly. His gaze flickering over towards her hair, raising an eyebrow at the fiery orange tips, before his gaze flickered to the end of the alleyway, expecting some kind of guard to come running around and accusing him of something. This girl screamed trouble to him...but there was a part of him that couldn't bring himself to run away. There was still the slightest possibility that she actually needed his help, and he wasn't going to run from someone who needed him.

---

— Outlaw • Wanderer • Protector —​

 

[Princess Daniela Virelle]

Her Radiance, Princess Daniela Virelle

For the briefest moment, Daniela forgot how to breathe. She'd expected him to keep slipping away, to vanish into Paradisum's alleys and leave her with nothing but questions. Instead, here he was, standing squarely before her, violet eyes sharper up close, a deathstick unlit between his lips. Her hand, still clutching a fistful of crimson skirt, loosened awkwardly. "Oh," she said, far too softly for a princess.

Heat pricked her cheeks before she smoothed them with a quick laugh. She tilted her chin as if she'd meant all along to command his attention. "I wasn't pickpocketed," she added quickly, waving her hand as though the very idea were ridiculous.

Her words tangled for a beat. She hadn't thought this far. What did she need from him? The truth, that she'd chased him out of sheer curiosity, stuck stubbornly in her throat.

Then, in a sudden act of bravado meant to cover her hesitation, Daniela drew herself taller, chin tilting with renewed poise.

"My name is Princess Daniela Virelle," she declared, as if the formality itself could smooth over her stumble. "I live in the great palace near the outskirts of town… and I was hoping someone might bring me one of the bottles of Velisian Emberwine to my estate. My parents do not allow anything like that near my home."

She paused, letting her amber eyes catch on his, playful now, daring. "I would pay you handsomely. And you" she allowed herself the smallest smile, one that flirted at the edges of arrogance and mischief, "you seem like the kind of man who might be able to help me."

Jafan Bibble

 

[Jafan Bibble]

JAFAN
"The Galaxy doesn't need saints. It needs shields."​

Tags: Princess Daniela Virelle

---

His eyebrow stayed raised at the woman's attempt to hold her head up high. As if this entire thing was to her plans. He let out an exasperated sigh at that, as the Princess replied with a sudden amount of bravado. Some might call it bravado. Jafan was one of those who cared to think of it was stupidity. Bravado was a good way to get yourself hurt. You needed to think things through. Of course, Jafan was a hypocrite, considering how much he didn't think through his own actions. Like right now as he stepped closer towards this Princess, raising his hand to ruffle through her hair for a moment.

"So, Princess you want me to get a bottle of wine...and sneak into your palace...right after telling me that your parents don't allow any near your home. Do I look like the kind of man who has a deathwish to you?"

Jafan folded his arms afterwards, taking a step back from the Princess and staring her down for a moment. He was contemplating it in his mind for a moment, whilst face was stoic, just giving off the expression of someone who was exhausted. Bags under his eyes, a lack of sudden movements...before he raised his hand to his face, running the hand down before shaking his head.

"Sorry but no deal Princess. You might think you can bat your eyelashes at me and use your beauty to wrap me around your finger, but it ain't gonna work."

And with that, Jafan turned around on the heel of his foot and walked off, raising his hand in farewell...Though the further he walked away, the more he was contemplating it. Maybe...he could go and grab one of those bottles. He just had to go and look for some palace to bring it to...

---

— Outlaw • Wanderer • Protector —​

 

[Ryoshu Akutagawa]

The hand through her hair stunned her. Not the touch itself but the casualness of it. Nobody did that. Nobody treated her that way. Heat rushed to her face. Her eyes had the thousand yard stare of someone in total shock. She stood frozen, her lips parted just enough to speak, yet nothing came. The performance, the carefully painted poise of Paradisum's court, all of it collapsed in a heartbeat. He hadn't bowed. He hadn't even lingered. He'd seen through her and dismissed her like a spoiled child demanding toys.

And then he walked away.

Her throat tightened. She swallowed against it, straightening her shoulders out of sheer instinct. But the fire had gone out of the act. Then she turned and walked home.

-

Later, back within the palace, Ryoshu curled into the window seat of her chambers, staring out past the gold domes and perfumed gardens. The view glittered but tonight it felt hollow. Her chin rested against her knees as she hugged them close. She let herself imagine it: slipping away, shedding the titles, the rehearsed smiles, the endless pretense to act like someone she wasn't.

When she talked to Jafan she did so as she was raised to talk to everyone here. It cost her something she wasn't sure she would ever have the chance again to have. Now she was left wanting to simply read, paint, and practice with her sword - no longer could she be the bubbly princess her parents wanted her to be. Hopefully as time goes on and she begins her work as an envoy for the Diarchy she can finally just be herself. Have enough of a name for herself that no one could tell her who to be...

As the moonlight poured through her window, Daniela whispered into the empty chamber

"I just want to be… myself." Her head falling into her knees as she gently let out a tear thinking about it all.

Jafan Bibble

 

[Jafan Bibble]

JAFAN
"The Galaxy doesn't need saints. It needs shields."​

Tags: Ryoshu Akutagawa

---

Okay. Maybe tossing a bottle of wine up into the air and catching it wasn't the smartest of ideas...but at the end of the day, Jafan didn't care much about smart ideas as he made his way through the dark, whistling a tune to himself. It seemed as if his mind had changed about bringing this bottle to the Princess. It hadn't been too hard to figure out where the place was meant to be. And as much as he whined about it, Jafan had no issues skulking about in the dark. There was a part of him that knew he could have made a killing if he got into...well...killing. But he wasn't a killer. He wasn't an assassin. That wasn't who he'd be.

'Tink, 'Tink, 'Tink.

Hopefully he had found the right window. Otherwise Jafan was throwing rocks at the completely wrong house. Why did this feel so...strange to him? Throwing rocks up at some girl's window like he was about to try and serenade them? The idea brought a small chuckle as he shook his head. Music wasn't his forte anyway. He'd sooner break a guitar over someone's head than be able to play any real music. He knew that over experience, when he tried busking as a way to make a living. It was easier to get a living with his fists than with his music talents.

"...Come on Princess...Hurry up...I'd rather not get locked up in a cell tonight..."

The Wanderer tapped his foot along the ground impatiently as he waited for some sign of acknowledgement from the window. Little did he know what was going on within the room. Now if he cared about any of it? Well...That's a question that only he knew the answer to as his eyes darted from side to side, trying to make sure he wasn't going to be caught

---

— Outlaw • Wanderer • Protector —​

 

[Ryoshu Akutagawa]

​

'Tink. Tink. Tink.'

At first, she thought it was the wind rattling the glass, but the sound came again, sharp and deliberate. Ryoshu lifted her head, wiping hastily at her cheeks before leaning forward against the sill. Below, in the moonlit garden, a figure stood where no one should have been, violet eyes glinting, hand cocked back with another stone ready.

Her breath caught. "Jafan?"

For a moment she lingered at the window, silk nightgown pale in the moonlight, hair tumbling loose about her shoulders. Then her jaw set. "Op!" not like this. She refused to let him see her as some weeping Paradisum doll framed in lace.

"Wait there."

She vanished from view, the curtains fluttering in her wake. Moments later, the window creaked again, and Ryoshu returned no longer in her nightgown, but clad in a fitted purple outfit that clung close in midnight hues. Her hair was still down, her amber eyes gleaming a darker red in the night.

Without another word, she looped a cord to the leg of a giant desk in her room, tested its knot, and tossed the tied end down to the ground. From its lacquered stand she drew her odachi and braced herself with it as she swung down the rope.

The descent was swift, she repelled downward with far more confidence than any cloistered Paradisum princess ought to have.

When her feet touched grass, she gave the rope a sharp tug, then slung the great blade across her back with easy familiarity. She looked down for a brief moment. "Thank you, I did not expect you to show so I will have your credits tomorrow." she said simply, though her voice carried a different tone than it ever did in the market. "And… I should apologize. For earlier. I am used to having to act a certain way in public and I should have realized you were not like that..."

Her gaze swept the garden, instinctively checking the shadows where the sentries moved. The guards looked like they were no where near the area. There had not been an issue on palace grounds in a very long time.

She smirked faintly as her eyes returned to him.

"So… what do you say we share a drink? I know a spot no guards ever wander."

She subtly shifted her weight. Not the dynamic movements she did earlier but showing off the bottle with both hands a small anxious smile.

Jafan Bibble

 

[Jafan Bibble]

JAFAN
"The Galaxy doesn't need saints. It needs shields."​

Tags: Ryoshu Akutagawa

---

"Unless there's someone else here, yes. It's me."

Jafan grinned from ear to ear for a moment, raising an eyebrow as the Princess decided to back away from the window. Whatever was going on, it wasn't really his place to ask, as Jafan stood in place, impatiently tapping his foot against the ground. And then before he knew it, she was coming down from the window, sliding down like some kind of firefighter. Well. A firefighter that wears purple. And that carries a weapon around...Jafan was more of an axe fan compared to whatever this fancy thing Ryoshu had but he shrugged his shoulders all the same.

"You don't need to grab me credits. Otherwise I'd have said I'd do the job in the first place. It's fine. Really."

Yet once again, he raised an eyebrow as Ryoshu spoke. Apologising how she had spoke to Jafan and the wanderer shrugged his shoulders once more as he folded his arms along his front. He was used to being spoken to in dozens of different ways. It could have been a lot worse. Either way, he raised his hand up to clap it onto Ryoshu's shoulder, giving her a little grin.

"It's fine. Seriously. I've had a lot worse than that. I just...don't really care for how people act most of the time anymore. Everyone has a mask they wear around people that they change up."

It was honestly next to impossible for Jafan to ever notice someone who was showing their true self. Which is why Jafan raised an eyebrow when he noticed Ryoshu seemingly being all nervous about the bottle. Either way, he shrugged his shoulders like usual, shoving his hands into his little poncho as his gaze travelled across the garden.

"Sure. It might be a bit rich for my blood. But I ain't gonna say no to a nice cold drink...Just don't end up tryin' to cut me up with that fancy blade of yours."

---

— Outlaw • Wanderer • Protector —​

 

[Ryoshu Akutagawa]

⟡ Ryoshu ⟡
​

---

Ryoshu blinked at the hand on her shoulder, caught off guard but not in the same way as before. She wasn't really sure he would accept her apology and was glad he did. Even his explanation, although sweet - showed her just how much she was part of a bigger problem.

He talked about masks, and for a heartbeat she glanced back toward the palace. Maybe you're right, she thought. Out loud, she only said, "I get what you mean." Instinctually bringing one of her hands up to rub her elbow in a bit of shame at herself. She had noticed Jafan's arms being crossed and his words. It made her realize she was just another person he probably would not be able to fully trust.

When he mentioned her sword, the corner of her mouth lifted higher, and a soft laugh escaped her, an honest one where her eyes nearly closed and her real giggle came out. Jafan slipped his hands back into his poncho pockets, that same half-defensive, half-comfortable stance. She couldn't help but find it oddly fitting. Everything about him was rough around the edges, but solid. The way he was himself might have driven her to follow him in the market in the first place.

"Come on," she said suddenly, fingers brushing the edge of his poncho to get his attention before she gave it a gentle tug. "This way. We have to hurry before one of the guards gets nosy."

Without waiting for an answer, she led him down the narrow garden path that cut behind the royal archives. Hand still gently holding Jafan. The air smelled of night-blooming jasmine, cool and sweet, and their footsteps softened against the trimmed grass. The glow of the palace faded behind them, swallowed by the silhouettes of trees and the low, stone arches of an old courtyard ahead.

She reached the center and turned, hand still on his poncho she partially moved for him to sit on the edge of a half-crumbled fountain. The stone was cold but dry enough, and the night air hummed with the sound of distant insects. Setting the bottle between them, she gave a small shrug as she sat down close enough...

She reached for the bottle, turning it over in her hands before pushing it toward him. "You open it." A faint smirk tugged at her lips, small but real. "And before you say anything, yes, I know I could just use the sword. But I want to share in the fun. Don't worry we are far enough they won't hear the pop."

​

Jafan Bibble

 

[Jafan Bibble]

JAFAN
"The Galaxy doesn't need saints. It needs shields."​

Tags: Ryoshu Akutagawa

---

Jafan wasn't much of one to hold a grudge. At least for people who might have hurt him. For others who get hurt? He was far less of forgiving. Of course, Ryoshu hadn't seemingly hurt anyone else so he didn't seem overly fussed. It was easy enough to accept the apology, since he was speaking for himself and not anyone else. Though he raised an eyebrow as she seemed to agree with about the idea of everyone wearing masks

"Maybe you get what I mean. Maybe you don't. Everyone's had different lives. Can't fault 'em for that."

It wasn't necessarily that Jafan didn't trust her. He didn't trust anyone. Not even himself. Look at him now. About to head out for a drink with some Princess. If he had been smart and been someone he could trust, he wouldn't have even have entertained the idea of doing this. Yet as Ryoshu tugged at his poncho, he couldn't help but roll his eyes with a smirk, following her wordlessly. Being lead off down through the garden whilst his eyes darted around. He couldn't help being on edge. It was how he had survived. If anything, he was like a human cat. Ready to bolt at the most sudden abrupt movement...

"...You know I can't speak hand motions right? I'm just going to assume you want me to sit though."

And with that, Jafan sat himself down on the edge of the fountain ever so carefully. If it was crumbling he didn't want to end up breaking it by accident. It was strange. For some reason now, he couldn't bring himself to actually look at Ryoshu. Was he shy? Nah. He just...felt strange. That was all. He was on edge. That had to be it. He had to keep his attention on his surroundings instead of the woman he was with. Though before he knew it, she was handing the bottle over for him to open.

"I mean...I feel like the sword would be the better opener..."

Either way, he took the bottle, biting down on the cork before trying to yank it out. See, Jafan wasn't exactly a partaker of wine himself. So the actual way to open it was lost on him. Instead he pulled on the bottle again and again, until the cork popped out...alongside sloshing a large chunk of the drink over both himself and Ryoshu.

"...Oh."

---

— Outlaw • Wanderer • Protector —​

 

[Ryoshu Akutagawa]

⟡ Ryoshu ⟡
​

---

The cork popped with a sharp thunk and a splash, and for a second neither of them moved. The scent of the wine hit first, sweet, heavy. Ryoshu stared at the crimson streak running down her arm, then at Jafan. For a heartbeat, she looked honestly shocked! But then the absurdity of it all hit her.

A laugh burst out, bright and unrestrained. The kind that doubled her over a little, the sound echoing softly off the cracked courtyard walls. "Oh no!" A few more giggles escaped her. "That will have to come out of your pay." The tone in her voice and the look in her eyes was playful. She wasn't trying to make Jafan feel bad but as she looked at him she realized he might be a bit embarrassed. Obviously by the way he tried to open the bottle he wasn't used to doing such a thing. She figured he would give the bottom a padding and bump the cork out by hitting it against the fountain.

Slowly her laugh faded and she became more sincere. She reached for his poncho, brushing away a few drops with the back of her hand. Then she reached for his hand and took a drop of the wine from it before bringing it to her lips unconsciously and tasting the wine.

"It is actually very nice." Her tone softened, still amused but warm. "Here." She tipped the bottle carefully, pouring a small amount into a tiny cup that unfolded from a flat material in a nice little piece of tech. Holding it out to him. "It might get cold now that my suit is wet so we might have to cut our drinks short but I think you still deserve a sip." Her red eyes glinted with a little smile. "Nothing a wash can't fix."

The night air was cool against her skin, the wine sweet on her tongue. She wasn't sure why, but around him, it was suddenly easy. Or at least she felt like she had someone who could be her friend... the mishap with the wine made him real but he still held that mysterious and unique persona. It was so different. Special. Something stirred in her stomach, small and fluttering, like light bugs dancing.

Jafan Bibble
​

 

[Jafan Bibble]

JAFAN
"The Galaxy doesn't need saints. It needs shields."​

Tags: Ryoshu Akutagawa

---

Jafan looked down at the new additional stains to his poncho. One to add to the many he supposed. Though he blinked as Ryoshu started to laugh, and he went to move his hand forward to put it against her mouth to quiet her. He didn't want to be found just because she started laughing. Her voice was going to carry on the wind more than likely...but he stopped himself mid attempt. It'd probably be far worse for him...Plus hey, she seemed to actually be alright with the whole mess.

What he hadn't expected whatsoever was Ryoshu deciding to take a drop of wine off his hand to drink. A small blink of confusion as she said the wine tasted good. To him, it was just wine. Of course he wasn't going to refuse a drink offered to him however, taking the cup from Ryoshu and sipping from it. Not letting much if anything show on his face, barely reacting to the taste apart from a small wrinkle of his nose. He had always been a fan of the harder stuff, but it would make sense as to why Ryoshu would prefer the wine.

"Trust me. The cold isn't that bad once you get used to it. A few nights on the street could teach you that. It definitely taught me."

Some might have expected Jafan to sound frustrated, considering what he had said. To sound as if he was jealous of Ryoshu's position, but if anything he was teasing. Joking with her, as opposed to being upset about their roles in society. He had accepted who he was now. Accepted that he was not going to be anything more than a wandering vagrant.

---

— Outlaw • Wanderer • Protector —​

 

[Ryoshu Akutagawa]

⟡ Ryoshu ⟡​

---

Ryoshu shifted slightly where she sat, feeling the damp silk clinging to her arm. The night air bit against the cooling fabric, but the wine at least offered some warmth from the inside. She held the bottle loosely between her hands, glancing sidelong at Jafan with mock reproach.

"Yeah, but these are some of my favorite pajamas," she said, brushing at the stain as though that might somehow fix it. "And it's your fault I'm cold. With how you opened the wine." The way she said it was full of sass but not cruel. The teasing tone lingered, but her eyes softened when she looked back at him.

"You could work as a guard. at least then you'd have a room and a hot meal." Her smirk widened a little. "You can work off the cleaning bill for my clothes while you're at it."

She took another sip and leaned back slightly, her gaze drifting toward the canopy of stars above. The quiet between them was comfortable, filled with the hum of the night and the faint ripple of the fountain beside them.

But I figure its not like you to stay any one place for long. A faint laugh slipped out, softer this time, almost thoughtful. "But if you are ever around we should get in touch."

​

Jafan Bibble