Chicken strip

Ezekiel trailed a few paces behind Chaska as she steered him through the cobbled streets of the city. Chaska had insisted she knew a place, but he was getting quite impatient when they had turned another unnecessary corner or passed plenty of good places where he could settle for a drink. He hadn't hold back when they bickered to and fro, him questioning her sense of direction. He knew the city like the palm of his hand, but nooo, the foreigner kept her foot down.

Eventually, when his patience had run quite thin, she had led them to a cozy tavern. He had no idea how she knew the place. But whatever, it was not like she had been kept on a leash all those weeks. She was perfectly in her right to explore her new home, without him. Ezekiel rolled his eyes at her as she looked back over her shoulder to state that she indeed could find the place on her own. He ran a hand through his silver hair. ‘‘Impressive,’’ he commented sarcastically. But he couldn't help but smile at the ground when she turned to the door. It had been a while since he had went outside of castle ground, scared that his aunt had eyes on him at every moment, waiting for him to mess up again. But he had missed the bustle of chatter in the air, with people with normal problems, and not all those stuck-up folk in the castle.

But when he had followed her to the entrance of the tavern, he was suddenly stopped in his tracks as an awkward shuffle followed, where Chaska's hand grabbed him and he was quick to steady her to her feet. He heard a stranger swallow a curse-word and Ezekiel's nostrils flared as he looked up, his odd-coloured eyes annoyed as he looked at the blonde man. Ezekiel new his kind immediately: pointy ears, white hair, stuck-up pricks. What was an Aerendyl doing in Lythrania?

Chaska apologized, which showed that she was the more mannered one of the two of them. His betrothed was quick to link her arm with hers, which made him feel chained to the ground, as he gladly would have eyed the moon elf up. ‘‘And then to think moon elves were the gracious ones,’’ he muttered underneath his breath. Once kings and queens they were, but with the would-be-king not inheriting their magic, he made the elves equals.

Ezekiel noticed the sharp prod of her elbow in his side. He glanced over to her as his free hand had formed into a first already. At the first mistake of this man, he would be ready to put this elf in his place. But even his hostile words did not change this man's demeanor. No, he even had a quite witty response, that produced a small smirk on the lips of the sorcerer as he exposed his plans of being ungraceful to enjoy his night. Maybe they had something in common after all. Yet, he wiped that boyish grin of his face as quickly as it came, because the next words that came out his mouth were directed at his betrothed, while her name fell of his lips.

The sorcerer looked at Chaska from the corner of his eyes, narrowing them slightly as he studied her closely. He caught himself that he did not like this one bit. Those were his pearl around her neck. She once called herself his, so when that man looked at her, with his big eyes and chuffed manner of speaking, it made something spark up in him. And when he had found the Aerendyl witty a moment ago, he went back to disliking him in the blink of an eye. He scrunched up his nose slightly as he introduced himself. Nobody asked, he thought, but he did not speak the words out loud, knowing Chaska would probably poke him again, or dig her nails in his arm.

Even more annoying was that Chaska seemed to be pleased to meet him as well, as she continued to make small talk. It was like meeting an old friend. And he had no interest at standing outside as some third wheel, listening while they caught up. He narrowd his eyes suspiciously at the elf, wondering how well he knew Chaska. He was quickly done alternating skeptical looks between the two. So he placed his free hand on Chaska's wrist to untangle his arm from her and placed it on the small of her back. ‘‘While I'm pleased to meet you, Rhydian-’’ he started, not taking an effort to introduce himself. ‘‘Maybe we could continue this conversation inside?’’ So at least he could enjoy desperately needed drinks, because if this was how this night was going to be, he could not stand this man sober for much longer.

His hostile gaze still lingered as he watched the two of them converse. The sorcerer was feeling someone had barged into their evening. A complete stranger for him, but not for the woman on his arm. And that was the most annoying part of it, because this elf could wander into Lythrania only because he wore a nobleman's name. And because he also looked so oblivious about it, or he just ignored him, what was even more annoying.

He stayed silent as he only looked between the two while they conversed. The man trying to joke about his family, but nobody laughed. Apart from the sort-of joke Chaska replied with. It made him study both of them once more. Maybe Rhydian didn't have the snow-white hair as the governor of Silvercrest or his towering height, or ethereal looks. He more or less looked like a normal dude, with pointy ears. And when he looked back at Chaska, he said she could relate, he furrowed his brows. What? What was she talking about. Was it only because of the white streaks in her hair? Oh no, they were both such outcasts. Well, weren't they the pretty pair. A short Aerendyl, a sorceress with funny hair, and the youngest of the Vylasar's, with silver hair and odd eyes, unlike anyone else. A collection of black sheep, they might think the herd was supposed to have only dark-woolen individuals.

Ezekiel only perked up when he name-dropped the former princess. He was here for her? Oh, he pitied him already. Chaska dropped an all-knowing comment and he raised his eyebrows at the man. He sure was foolish, or brave, or just really stupid. She might not be a princess anymore, but she sure acted like one of them. Just another piece of evidence to stay out of moon elves ways.

Rhydian was just not a very perceiving one. Or he could not read the room very well, but he was happy enough to head into the tavern and even treat them on the first round. Chaska was quick to thank him for both of them and she was next in line to follow him inside, while he ended the line for the both of them, and when she looked back at him, their eyes crossed, his eyes rolled as she introduced him for him. His betrothed could be very petty. So his hand detached from her back as they made their way into the noisy tavern.

And now she was already making promises. Dear Lythrana, how much time would they spend in the company of this man. A quiet sigh left his lips, as he betrayed himself that he would much rather spend the evening with only Chaska, then have to have smalltalk with another stranger and act all.. fake nice again. As he spotted an empty table he wordlessly pointed to it and herded their little group closer to it. And when he walked over, he almost felt like everybody was looking at them. They probably weren't, but still. He lived in this city his whole life, and one day he showed up with this stranger, wearing his pearls. He knew, this was just how the world worked, it was nothing special, but still. And now there was this guy. Once they reached the table, he pulled out a chair for Chaska to sit on. He probably would have been less mannered if it would be just the two of them, but now there was this witness that could tell Lumina, and then who would she open her mouth to. He looked over to Chaska and just gave her one last sour look, stating he didn't like this situation one bit.

The Aerendyl was awfully giddy, happy to catch up with his old friend it seemed. It was fine, he would just pretend like he wasn't here at all. And when he and Chaska chatted happily away, he mentioned not being here for just one drink. ‘‘You bet,’’ Ezekiel breathed almost soundless from behind Chaska. He was already planning to be drinking like a royal tonight, but now he might need it sooner than he had envisioned. He pulled a hand through his hair as he looked through the crowd of people, where air was full of buzzing chatter and the clinking of glasses.

Ezekiel looked back at the elf as he had his hand still on the back of the chair he had pulled for Chaska. Well, they were together, if was Rhydian who had initially entered the tavern by himself. They were just unlucky enough to bump shoulders when they did. He had no time to respond, because he was busy with his non-verbal discussion with Chaska. She raised an eyebrow at him, which almost made him want to stick his tongue out at her like a petulant child. But she grazed her hand against his which made him swallow such childish actions. He just pursed his lips together as she answered for the both of them - again being a voice for him. Which was annoying, but it was not like he was going to talk to the elf anyway.

While Ezekiel stepped aside to take his place next to Chaska, he balled his hand in a fist for a moment, before sinking down in his seat and lean both his elbows on the table as he rested his chin on his hands. Rhydian really had that bubbly personality which did not rub of at him at all, as he multi-tasked between noticing the pearls on Chaska's neck, ordering drinks and congratulating them on their betrothal. Ezekiel glanced sideways as he spotted Chaska's hand on the necklace and he quickly looked back in front of himself, interlacing his fingers tighter. He tried to look aloof, because this whole arrangement was still a touchy subject. He could act like he could forget about it, that they were here as friends - or something - to celebrate that their lives were not completely screwed, yet. Chaska, again, thanked him for both of them. Ezekiel did not look the elf in the eyes, trying to act as aloof as he could, as they sunk into another conversation. Time sure did fly, especially these past weeks. They were alternated between very short nights and very long days, dragging out in front of them as they avoided each other and pretended. Oh, and those few days in jail, let's forget about those...

Luckily his suffering was ended as the waiter quickly returned with their drinks. Ezekiel leaned back against his chair as the drinks were placed in front of them. The sorcerer quickly took hold of the glass, swirled the amber liquid in it for a second, before raising it slghtly. ‘‘To us, then,’’ he said, looking over to Chaska. After all, they were here to celebrate something between them. That this Rhydian person joined them, à la. He had so chivalrously offered to toast to them. Then he swiftly put the glass to his lips and drained it whole.

His eyes shifted in between them as he kept his mouth shut. He pressed his lips together as he searched for some kind of hint to what the history was between them. The elf mentioned their wedding immediately. Maybe it was the common courtesy, especially because Chaska had to wear those pearls as some damned trophy around everywhere. And she loyally did so, never wavering from the picture that she was anything else but his bride to be. Still, that uncomfortable feeling lingered when he looked at the elf and how easily he chatted away with Chaska. He would never verbally admit that he was disappointed that they had to cross paths, but he imagined  he oozed that aura anyways.

He turned his head a bit towards Chaska as she joked that wished she was somebody else than a bar-goer. As their eyes locked for a second, he raised his eyebrows slightly. What was that supposed to mean? Did she often talk to men in taverns? He couldn't help but keep raising his suspicions with every word. Not that it was any of his business, he didn't care about her past. But if they were so friendly with each other still.

That drink seemed to become more of a necessity with every passing second. They had found common ground more than once after a bit of liquid luck. It was probably the stupid, easy way out to try to forget their troubles with a few drinks to many, but he wanted nothing more than to feel that ignorant bliss for a few hours. So yes, raise their glass to them, to their marriage, to whatever it was that they would live with for the rest of their lives.

The elf joined in first with his cheery mood that did not seem to falter. Ezekiel glanced at him from the side of his eyes when he blessed them. By Lythrana, he would be insufferable after a few drinks, would he not? But he was drawn back to Chaska as she repeated his little toast and together they slammed back their drinks.

The alcohol burned through his throat as he was not yet used to the warm feeling in his stomach. But the three of them seemed to be experienced drinkers, as none of them pulled a face. No, it was Chaska that took the initiative to have their glasses replaced as soon as possible. He stiffened a chuckle as he then focused his attention to the elf in front of him. ‘‘So are we soon raising a glass for you?’’ He narrowed his eyes at the man. ‘‘Coming all this way must mean something, right?’’ He wouldn't put it past the Aerendyls to fix a marriage between one of them and the dethroned princess.

The sorcerer twirled the empty glass around in his hand while he remained turned into himself, all but for when his eyes wandered to Chaska or to the merry men in front of them. He could still feel the aftertaste of the liquor in his throat and he just knew the next one would be better, once you gotten used to the strong taste. However, when he decided to speak once again, he was met with a glare from his betrothed. In that short moment he raised his eyebrows for a second. Oh, wasn't he supposed to say that? Oops, my fault. He rolled his eyes as she focused on Rhydian once more.

It was just somewhat pathetic how happy she looked while listening to him. Ezekiel went back to twisting the empty glass between his fingers on the table, listening to the man without looking at him. He was not here to ask for her hand. He cocked his head to the side at that revelation. Oh, really? Just a visit? He didn't believe a word the man was saying. Sounded like an awful lot of trouble for just a visit. Did he intend to woo the former princess? In that case he felt even more pity for the man. He didn't believe anyone less than a king would be enough for the former princess, who still acted like she owned Lythrania. He wasn't sure why Lumina had even returned in the first place, as there was nothing left in this city for her anyways. And it send stray admirers to their gates. Very annoying. But as the man was so smitten with the ex-princess, he might feel more at ease about the relationship he held with his betrothed.

The conversation shifted to the former princess, of course. Ezekiel clocked out at this point, leaning back in his chair again and leaving the glass to be replaced for a new one. He picked it up, swirling the amber liquor in it for a second, not bothering another toast. So he brought it to his lips as Chaska continued speaking. Her words, however, almost made him choke in his drink. Unceremoniously he wiped his bottom lip with his thumb and looked at the sorceress, who did not have the nerves to look at him while she had said that, happily nipping from her drink. Ezekiel set his jaw and swirled the remaining bit of his drink through his glass one more time. ‘‘What's that supposed to mean?’’ he asked her, not wavering his gave from her. So when she would not waver from her position, he was not afraid to go in for the kill. He knew exactly what she meant. Weren't the pearls around her neck enough? No, she wanted to be married, better yesterday than today. Well, maybe she wanted too much. ‘‘You came all the way here for me, after all.’’