Work Text:
Varyll is fucking exhausted.
Paranoia has kept xem awake for far too long. Xe hasn’t really had much time to rest, and any of that downtime has been spent away from civilization.
So when xe makes it to a tavern in a city xe can’t be bothered to remember the name of, xe’s on the verge of passing out from sheer exhaustion.
Varyll knows xe can’t trust anyone, not now, not ever. But xe also knows xe can’t stay awake forever, as much as xe’d like to.
Xe’d normally use a spell to disguise xyr form, but xe’s too tired, so xe sticks with simply hiding xyr face with a mask and a hood. It’s simple, but effective.
Xe watches two armored soldiers enter the tavern, and xe can tell that they’re looking for xem. They look like soldiers from xyr kingdom, so xe listens closely as they begin to speak to the entire fucking tavern .
“We are soldiers from the kingdom of Askalia, we’re looking for Princess Viola, though she may not be using that name. She is an albino elf, so she should be easy to find. If you have any leads, please let us know.”
Whispers erupt around the tavern, and Varyll barely keeps xemself from flinching at the use of xyr deadname. Xe adjusts xyr mask and pulls xyr hood further down, trying to hide xyr appearance.
Varyll overhears a conversation from two adventurers, both sitting at a table next to xem.
“You hear that? A fuckin’ princess is missing,” A blue Kobold says, leaning back in its chair. “How in the Nine Hells do they lose royalty ?”
A pale greyish-purple Kenku leans a little closer to his companion. “From what I’ve heard, she’s a runaway.”
The Kobold scoffs, taking a sip of a drink that it looks way too young to be drinking. “Who would run away from being one of the highest people in power? It just doesn’t make sense.”
Varyll has personally had enough of the gossip and gets up to leave, though xe wonders if xe even should. Those guards are sure to recognize xem if xe gets too close, but xe can’t stay here, the barkeep might rat xem out.
Regardless, xe is too tired to even think logically at this point, so xe leaves the tavern, shivering from the cold. Xe should be used to it by now, but xe isn’t.
Xe looks around, trying to scan xyr surroundings for any signs of those soldiers. When xe breathes a soft sigh of relief, someone grabs xyr wrist.
Xe freezes, not daring to turn. “Excuse me, do you have any leads on the whereabouts of Princess Viola?”
Varyll shakes xyr head. Xe turns, and the soldier holding xyr wrist doesn’t let go. “It seems you’re a liar, then.”
The other soldier grabs her sword, grabbing xyr other wrist. “You’re coming with us, Princess Viola.”
Varyll grunts, trying to pull away from the soldiers, but xe’s too tired, too weak. So, xe screams. Loudly.
As xe does, those two adventurers xe saw earlier exit the tavern, and the Kobold, who is no taller than two feet, draws a shortsword. “Hey! Let ‘em go!”
The Kenku draws a longsword, and while he doesn’t say anything, he delivers a threatening glare.
One of the soldiers points his sword at the two adventurers. “We are under the orders of King Curralcia to bring her back to Askalia. We ask that you... citizens ... step back.”
They’re distracted. Varyll’s eyes glow ever-so-slightly as xe casts Sacred Flame on the female soldier. She stumbles backwards, and Varyll punches the other one in the nose, scrambling away from the soldiers and behind the adventurers, preparing xemself in case xe has to fight any more than xe already has.
The Kobold charges forwards with a “battle cry”, if you can even call it that. Honestly, it just sounds funny. It barely looks threatening, but it also starts beating one of the soldiers’ faces in with the hilt of its shortsword, so maybe it has some skill.
Meanwhile, the Kenku starts slashing at the other while Varyll watches, slightly dumbfounded. Why would these two save xem? Neither of them have a reason to, as far as xe knows.
When one of the soldiers stops burning, she lifts her companion and takes off, swearing under her breath. The two adventurers give each other a high five, smirks on both of their faces.
The Kobold turns to look at xem. “What did those two jackasses want with you, anyways?”
The Kenku stares for a moment, eyes widening in realization. “Are you...”
“Varyll,” Xe interrupts, rather curtly. “I don’t use that name anymore for a reason.”
The Kobold tilts its head, and the Kenku whispers something to it, which he has to crouch down to do. It’s almost comical.
A look of realization crosses the Kobold’s face. “Oh. Wait, so... you’re the princess?!”
The Elf rolls xyr eyes. “I’d correct you and say prince , but I have no desire to return home. They can’t make me go back.”
“But...” Varyll can almost hear the gears turning in its head. “Why would you leave?”
“Did you not hear them blatantly deadname and misgender me ?” Xe asks, getting frustrated.
“Oh.”
The Kenku speaks before things can get even more awkward between the three. “I’m Screecher, and this is Rabies,” He explains, examining Varyll closely. “You... look like you need sleep.”
“Yes, I do,” Xe sighs, rubbing a hand over xyr tired face and ignoring their odd names.
Screecher grabs xyr hand gently, leading xem back to the tavern. “We rented a room! You and Rabies can sleep, and I’ll keep watch.”
“I suppose I’m in no position to argue,” Varyll sighs, letting him lead xem into the tavern and to a room upstairs.
Rabies plops down on a bed before xem, and Varyll takes off xyr hooded robe and mask. Xe lays down, and pretty much knocks out right after.
Maybe these two aren’t so bad.