Chapter Text
Today was not supposed to go this way. When Azul agreed to this outing, he thought it would be relaxing, or at least as relaxing as an outing could be with Kalim attending. Chat, eat, maybe go into a couple stores. Instead of being in such a pleasantly mundane situation, he finds himself on the streets of Foothill Town, loitering in front of a shady restaurant that a few friendly passerby confirmed Kalim had hauled Riddle into not even twenty minutes ago that was now refusing him entry.
Despite his current panic, he couldn't help but contemplate the series of almost comedic improbilities that led to this current debacle.
Stepping away for a moment to call Jade to ask how the Lounge was doing is nothing out of the usual. It was important to make sure no calamities occurred while he was absent, even if only for a few hours, and he knew Riddle would keep a close eye on Kalim while they waited. It wasn't that Kalim was by any means dim-witted, but a mixture of curiosity and nativity often led to rather unfortunate circumstances, such as the one they were in now.
It was almost impressive that Kalim could find such an obviously sleazy establishment in a town catering to college students, but Kalim is nothing if not a miracle maker. It would be a wonder that this place is still open just looking from the outside, but then he remembers that his own establishment will be a year old soon and decides that this is par for the course in a place where a person such as their oh so keen headmage holds so much power. Then again it should be just as likely that this place would be shut down in the wake of a few unfortunate RSA students going missing after last being seen at its doors.
When he was first notified of his new friends' location, he had attempted to enter the sleazy diner himself, quickly collect his possibly endangered companions, and return to campus before anyone could grow worried; however that plan was foiled the moment the two men at the door asked what his business there was. Two very tall, very muscular men dressed in black tie as security guards. How original.
Typically, the cecaelia was very good at utilizing the power of persuasion to turn the odds in his favor, or as Idia would say, shmooze, but he could barely get a few words in before the men in front of him evaluated him to be a "dumb pipsqueak" who had no business at this "fine" establishment.
The nerve.
And so, with his initial plans foiled and his ego bruised, Azul turned the corner to brainstorm a new rescue mission.
He couldn't call anyone. The twins would laugh at him; Idia likely would as well; Jamil would never let Kalim go out with them again; Trey or Cater would likely try to subtly make sure the three of them go with a chaperone; and calling anyone else would likely result in the situation getting referred back to the previously afformentioned individuals. This had to be all him, and it had to be fast. The sun was going down and Riddle likely needed to be back soon for a possible dinner ritual Azul was almost certain occured every night. That and his pride was bruised from being unable to convince the bouncers to let him in.
It was a "crit roll fail for persuasion. Super embarrassing for a bard." Thats what Idia had said during their last session when he failed to seduce the enemy while disguised as a woman in their campaign of Caverns and Casters, this failure reminding him of his previous. He was so close too. The idiotic princess just had to ruin it at the wedding.
Just as he was about to continue wallowing about his unfortunate luck, both in C&C and now, something caught his eye. A window display for a women's clothing, hair, and cosmetis shop he had seen before while walking around town. Nothing novel there. But in the window display was something of note. A dress that was almost identical to the crude sketch he had made for his C&C character's disguise. What a coincidence.
And that's when the idea struck.
No. No way. That's an idiotic plan. There is no way it would ever work. Whose to say thay this store would even have all the stuff needed to make this look convincing? Whose even to say that Riddle and Kalim are even in danger? They can handle themselves, and even if they can't, they would be better off dead than seeing him like that.
...
But... his reputation would never recover on the off chance that they were injured... and he might miss them if something happened.
...
They are going to be in his debt for a long time.