Royal Pains.

[edgar_roni]

[Edgar prided himself on being a man of his word. He always kept true to it, even if the circumstances called for him not to (or if it would benefit him if he didn't). So when the time came for him to either let the so-called bandit go or haul 'him' back to Figaro, it was clear the young king had already made up his mind. He did say he was going to do it and he had no intention of fibbing. Even if it meant a lengthy journey back. The time could be better spent scaling up the tower and rescuing the trapped Princess but Edgar, in his infinite wisdom, figured he would get in better graces with her parents if he himself arrested and booked the 'man' that dared to defile their precious daughter. Besides, it wasn't as if she wouldn't be there when he returned.

This was all easier said than done, of course. After a number of miles, all of which were traveled wearily on foot as his suspect was hog-tied and placed over the back of his chocobo, he cursed the day he decided to ever be so honest and valiant. His feet hurt, he was hot and sweaty, the rations were running low and, frankly, he was tired. Of everything.

He shot Faris a dirty look over his shoulder when they passed a road-sign. One direction pointed towards Figaro, the other Tycoon.]

You've become a lot more trouble than you're worth, you know that?

Comments

[andrarrrgynous]

[And Faris hasn't stopped running her mouth since they left, save for a few hours when she would sleep, but most of Edgar's day was spent listening to her bitch and curse at him. Apparently Faris never heard of the saying, "you catch more flies with honey.".]

Untie me and I'll show you how much trouble I'm worth!

[Even so, after so long, her threats were really starting to lose their creativity.]

[edgar_roni]

Oh, dearest, but you look far better that way.

[Edgar rolled his eyes. The weight of everything on his shoulders felt that much heavier every time Faris bitched and cursed at him.

Definitely more trouble.

He tugged on the chocobos reins and headed toward Tycoon. Figaro was too far and too hot -- the last thing he wanted was to deal with Faris while trekking through that sort of climate and terrain. Tycoon was closer -- the royal family needed to be alerted to this, anyway.]

It's your lucky week. No desert for you.

[andrarrrgynous]

What, really?

[She wrenched her head up curiously- easier said than done when you were tied up and thrown over a chocobo's back like she was- trying to make sense of their surroundings.]

No desert? Where're we goin' now?

[edgar_roni]

Tycoon. And if I am in anyway fortunate, they'll be less lenient with you there.

[A snort. He could only hope so.]

Just what were you planning to do with the princess, anyway?

[andrarrrgynous]

I sure wasn't plannin' on just leaving her to rot in a tower like some people.

[Her voice takes on a more desperate tone, as she considered her fate in Tycoon.]

Listen, I don't think you know what you're gettin' into. I've learned my lesson, why don't you just let me go.

[edgar_roni]

Right. And I'm just supposed to trust you, after the way you so kindly attacked me when my guard was down? Don't insult me.

[Edgar resisted the urge to toss his head in defiance.]

Young man, I'm afraid you're not aware of how this works. You're my prisoner. I can't just leave you be simply because you don't want to face justice for your crimes. That's now how it goes in the honest world.

[andrarrrgynous]

You were the one pointin' the crossbow at me. Maybe if you woulda asked nicely I wouldn't have had to kick you.

Maybe I was gonna rescue the princess, ever think about that?

[edgar_roni]

Oh, please. You rescue the princess? Don't make me laugh.

[Not as if he was in a laughing mood at that point. Tycoon was closer than Figaro, true, but the expansive horizon ahead of them indicated it was still going to be quite the trip getting there.]

I'd have an easier time believing you were the Queen.

[andrarrrgynous]

And why wouldn't I?

[She huffed, but didn't comment on the queen part. Boy are you in for a surprise, Edgar.]

So what were you plannin' on doing to the princess?

[edgar_roni]

Courting her.

[Simply stated, as if it were the most simplest thing in the world. And in Edgar's eyes, it was.]

If she'd have me, that is.

[andrarrrgynous]

[She snorted, rather rudely at that.]

What makes you think she'd give you the time of day?

[edgar_roni]

You seem awfully interested in my intentions with the princess.

[Just saying.

Nevertheless, Edgar just shrugged. He had no shame.]

If she were to give me the time of day, I'd show her what it's like to be appreciated. I may not have been forced to live in a tower like she did, but I certainly know what it's like to not be able to escape...

[His voice faltered something wistful and for a moment there, he'd nearly forgotten he was talking to some bandit.]

...In any event, it's none of your business.

[andrarrrgynous]

[That managed to make Faris quiet down, and the next few minutes are spent walking- or riding, in her case- in silence. Finally,]

So why don't you? Escape, if you want to, I mean.

[edgar_roni]

[Edgar was quiet too, with his gaze averted, and his response came after a long and quiet moment. Escaping was a lot easier than it sounded. A lot easier.]

Honor and obligation, boy. Something you wouldn't know about.

[andrarrrgynous]

[That managed to sour her mood and she cursed again, fixing him with a foul look.]

Stop pretendin' like you understand what my life is like.

[edgar_roni]

...so I'm to believe you know what it's like to lead an honest life? Hold down a family-honored tradition and make selfless decisions day in and day out?

[He snorted.]

Please.

[andrarrrgynous]

[She growled, struggling again at her bonds for the hundredth time that day.]

You're really makin' me want to sock you one once I get outta here. You don't know a damn thing about me.

[edgar_roni]

If my words bother you that much...

[His gait becoming something more rigid and confident, he looked over his shoulder at Faris with a self-satisfied smirk.]

...prove me wrong.

[andrarrrgynous]

[Oh how she wanted to wipe that smirk off of his face.]

An' how am I supposed to prove anything if I'm tied up on a chocobo?

[edgar_roni]

Actions do speak louder than words, which is why you are where you currently are. Suffice to say, I don't trust you or your actions -- moreso when you're being so hostile.

[Scoff.]

Personally, I'd rather you just tell me at this point.

[andrarrrgynous]

I'm not bein' hostile!

[She fumes for a minute, before continuing.]

You wouldn't believe anything I'd tell you anyway.

[edgar_roni]

Try me.

[andrarrrgynous]

[After a long few minutes of contemplation,]

What if I told you I wasn't tryin' to get in the tower, but trying to get out?

[edgar_roni]

I'd say it would make sense and that I'd simply caught you as you were attempting to escape from whatever crime you'd just committed.

[andrarrrgynous]

That's not what I was meanin'-

[She makes a frustrated noise.]

I meant, I didn't sneak in in the first place.