Devil Town // RP

It took a while for Nila to get the words out through her tears. Lyn wasn't usually one to give someone what they wanted just because they cried, but her story was all too familiar to her. She tried to avoid thinking of home and her family as much as possible, even after almost 70 years away, she still sometimes felt their eyes on her back, judging her.

She couldn't imagine how much worse it must have been for Ni. She was a princess after all. Lyn had always had chances to be alone, to adventure to make her own decisions. She wasn't that valuable or irreplaceable that she had to be locked away from the world. Even now, she knew her parents would still be sure she could return any day, ready to put her childish ways behind her and do what they knew was best for her.

The effects of the cigarette had calmed her panic at realizing the mess she had gotten herself into, but now it took all of her will not to scream out in rage. It was bullshit the expectations their parents had for them. They weren't created out of love or family, they were both tools to further their parents ambitions and nothing more. Lyn hadn't let that slide in a long time and she wasn't about to start now.

She walked over to Ni and put a hand on her shoulder, rubbing it gently. 'I believe you,' was all she could manage to say in that moment. She knew she should comfort her, but she couldn't find the words in that moment. How could she explain she knew how she felt, without digging up her own past? In the end she just settled for 'I'll help you, don't worry. Now get some rest, tomorrow is going to be busy.

She pulled two more blankets out, draping one over NI haphazardly, and the other over herself. SHe rolled over, still next to her and tried to fall asleep.

Lyn

Lyn awoke first the next morning, and began to pack up her things while trying to allow Ni to sleep. This was probably the most strenuous day she'd ever had so she would need as much rest as she could get. It was a sunny morning, although storm clouds looked to be rolling in from the east. With any luck, they would make it to town before it hit.

What she was about to do; what she had already done, was likely to get her killed. But after Ni coming clean the night before, there was no way she could not help her. with most everything packed up she took a minute to watch the girl sleeping peacefully. She was reluctant to wake her but they were wasting daylight. She walked over and gently nudged her shoulder.

'Hey, it's time to get going. There's a storm coming and I'd rather be inside when it does.' She gathered up the rest of the blankets into her pack and waited at the west side of the clearing for Nila to follow.

Lyn

Lyn could appreciate that Nila wasn't used to living like this, or moving at this pace. She felt slightly bad about the reality that was about to hit her. They were being hunted and they needed to escape. She asked about food as soon as she caught up, which she hadn't even thought about. She was used to being hungry on the road and just eating once she took a break or when she got to her destination. It went against her better judgment to slow them down, but it would give her a chance to collect herbs for her cigarettes.

'We can eat while we walk. Just make sure you only eat what I point out as safe.' She continued on her way, stopping to pick herbs for herself, and pointing out the berries, nuts and mushrooms that would be safe for Ni to eat. Ni was very delicate looking. She reminded Lyn of a flower that had been picked. Beautiful to look at, but unhealthy. It must have been the Wither blood running through her veins.

When Ni mentioned the storm, Lyn looked up at the harsh clouds coming in. 'They can be even more beautiful when you're in them, in my experience. The rain pouring down around you as the sky lights up. You'll have to let me now what you think.' She rummaged through her bag for a small vial, which she unstoppered and held to Ni's face as she put the hood up. 'You can put it up if you want, it won't make much difference, but I am going to need you to spit into this.'

After some complaining and suspicion, Ni did spit into the vial, which she stoppered and put away in her coat for later. Thinking about it, with no understanding of what she wanted to do, it was a strange request. Still easier and less painful than getting some blood or plucking a hair from her head.

'We're getting close to the village now. I'm going to need you to trust me to get this to work.' If Lyn could just misdirect the search party for a day, it would by them enough time to make their escape. She wasn't really so worried about herself, but Ni could be a liability. 'We're going to walk around to the far side of the city and pass back the way we came. I'll hide our identities with illusions, so just try to act natural. No looking guilty or like you have something to hide, got it?'