Kime Village

[Elario Luminus]

A quaint little village established by a group of simple people wanting to live the simple life. They have little connection with any of the major population centres.

[The Painted Lady]

Leilani was grateful for the black hood that shadowed her face. Not so much for the fact that she worried about the people on the street recognising her... That was unlikely. She doubted anyone really remembered the little princess that disappeared from Solaris five years ago. Nor did she really believed they cared, judging by the horrified looks she received when she asked passer's-by for directions to the boarder. No, instead her guise was an attempt to avoid those that were looking for her. The remainder of the loyal servants of her late father; those who still wished to honour his orders to protect his only daughter. It wasn't the first time she had escaped from the safe-house her family had organised for her. She certainly hoped though that, despite the good intentions of those who sought her out, this time, it would be the last. She couldn't remain locked up and hidden from the world forever...

[Tifa Lockhart]

A weary horse plodded into the village then, its head hung low and legs bent at a bad angle, the kind the suggested it had been worked too hard. It's rider looked no better off, slumping against the beasts head. He straightened when he realised he was in a town, and immediately dismounted his ailing horse. He tugged at a hood, wanting to keep himself concealed. He had to find an inn to rest in, somewhere to feed and water both himself and his horse. He could not rest long, but hopefully long enough to push on in the morning...
The village was small, mostly farmers, but he knew there'd be somewhere cheap to stay here. That and hopefully these rural people would not ask too many questions.

[The Painted Lady]

Leilani patted the pockets that rest on the hip of her skirt. No money, of course. What business did a princess in hiding have carrying any with her? She sighed, looking up at the decrepit INN sign. It would have been nice to have slept in a bed tonight. But she had dealt with much worse. She paused for a moment, wondering if she could bargain her way in there for the night, but she quickly threw that option away. The men there would probably want something more than just a pleasant conversation in return and in any case, it had been what had got her caught last time. Drunken men in inns were more than happy to provide information about rouge women if offered any price. It was probably better if she just continued on anyway...

[Tifa Lockhart]

Stephan had approached the inn now, noting a woman stood at its doorstep, looking almost ponderous. Her face was hidden much as his was. The Prince stubbed his toe upon a stone, staggering onto his knees. He cursed quietly, slowly picking himself back up and brushing himself off. He'd never felt so weary, but he was ever conscious of what might be in pursuit of him. His horse pranced anxiously, butting him with its muzzle as if to check he was ok.
"I'm alright..." He whispered to the horse, patting it's velvet nose reassuringly before he turned to the woman. b]"Are you alright there?"[/b] He asked wearily. Might as well help her out... chivalry and all that.

[The Painted Lady]

Leilani turned the instant she heard scuffing, worried she had been tracked down already. She relaxed a little when she saw another hooded character picking himself off of the ground.
"Oh..."
She felt a little sorry for him...
"I'm just fine," came the sweet, cheerful voice from the concealing shadows of her hood.
"You on the other hand..." she started, a tiny teasing note to her voice. "You took quite a fall there."
Her voice became a little more sincere.
"Do you need a hand?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

"I am alright." Stephan assured her, grateful for the concealing shadow of his hood, for it hid his blush of embarrassment, his pride had taken a bit of a blow, "I am simply weary. Though i shall care for my friend before i sleep." He reached up to pet the neck of his horse, who still panted tiredly.

[The Painted Lady]

Leilani paused, knowing it was things like this that seemed to always get her caught again, but she couldn't just leave someone who needed help.
"Well... maybe I could find a stable for your friend while you get a room. You certainly seem tired..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

"I--" Stephan really appreciated the gesture... he could use the sleep more than anything.. but...
"I'm afraid i have to decline... i cannot leave my friend after he has served me so well..."
The horse in question nickered lightly, moving forward a few steps as if to investigate this girl a little. It made Stephan chuckle, "He wishes to say hello." He explained, more like he was translating than anything.

[The Painted Lady]

Leilani smiled, taking a step forward.
"Well hello there dark one," she said brightly.
She touched his nose with delicate, gentle fingertips.
"You look as if you need a long rest too..."
She looked up to the hooded man, her expression questioning though she knew she wasn't properly visible.
"You're not from here then I take it? Either that, or you've returned from a long travel..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Uh... n-nay." Stephan said carefully, not wanting to give himself away, in case this girl was one who would turn him in. It was nice to know his education masked his Terran accent though...
"I am a traveler... just passing through. I am..." He paused a moment, "I am meeting family in Solaris."

[The Painted Lady]

"You are?" Leilani replied, perhaps a little too quickly.
She looked back to the horse whose nose she continued to pet, reminding herself to not act suspiciously.
"I mean... I'm on my way to Solaris too. But it's been a long time... And no one seems to want to give me directions. They just ask me if I have a deathwish and move on..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

"It is... rather a fools errand to enter Solaris at this time... but one must do what they must right?" He smiled softly beneath his hood, "Are you staying here tonight, maybe we can travel together?"

[The Painted Lady]

Again, Leilani hesitated. She hoped this wasn't some kind of elaborate ruse... But this was the best opportunity she had had so far.
"If... it doesn't bother you to have me tag along," she said, sounding a little surprised at the offer.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Of course not." Stephan said, a little uncertain himself, but perhaps traveling with someone else was just the disguise he needed, "Come with me to find my friend a stable? We can discuss details on the way."