"Mm, dont you mean devilishly handsome? Dont want to get caught in a... compromising position with anyone," Tom lilted with a mischievous smirk, catching the cloak almost easily. Yes, because should someone see him, they'd want to take him down a dark alley with an intent other than murder or theft.

He perked up at eat something. He would freely admit that he missed the cooks and expansive kitchen at home. Who wouldn't? When you didnt have to sneak around to get a late night snack and had several private chefs on demand at all hours, you get fairly spoiled.

He did in fact struggle - just a bit - with the cloak. It DID have an inside and an outside, and Tom chose to believe they just momentarily swapped places. Not that he was a little bit of a dunce sometimes. He got it after a few moments, at least.

At Lukas's question, Tom pulled a fairly ornate dagger from his belt and asked, "Good enough for you, m'lady?"

He did have other weapons, or, rather, Nox did, but Tom's sword was definitely not common-looking so it would have to stay with the horses.

(no worries! I get it x'D)

.

Tom stuck close to lukas, weary of their surroundings.

Despite his nerves, part of him relished in the sight and sound of people. Much as he enjoyed the quiet of being alone with Lu in the forest, he was used to a bustling household.

"Mm, like I would want to talk with anyone but you," he mused softly. Lukas was right though, his aristocratic accent would likely give him away.

He sidestepped a little as a short, balding man with a temper proportional to his height went grumbling by, a slight limp in his right leg. Much everyone else was like that man- unhappy and with a place to be.

Tom tried not pay them any mind, but he eyed everyone who got too close. No telling which ones were pickpockets or other such criminals.

He let Lu grab him and maneuver them through the crowd, too focused on not getting tripped up in the throng of bodies to come up with a witty or flirty remark.

(No worries! Mines short too, am with my dad getting his tires changed and an alignment done on le car >>;)

•Lukas Rin•

Lukas managed to pull the both of them through the bustling crowd of people and to the bar, urging Tom to sit on one of the barstools and sitting down next to him. He wasn't a huge fan of sitting in a place like this, if only because he felt too vulnerable, but alas. What was he to do?

He twisted to look around them while the bartender was busy with other customers, surveying the room for any familiar or peculiar faces. He kept his head low, watching with his eyes, his hand resting over the hilt of his sword. He didn't.. see anyone in particular. Most seemed at least a little sketchy, but not anything to be too worried about. Yet. Always yet. No one was ever really safe in his eyes. Except maybe Tom, but that was a bottle he was not opening right now.

The bartender slid over to them now, smiling pleasantly and asking if they would like anything to eat or drink. Lukas spoke up before Tom could open his mouth and give the both of them away.

"Some food and maybe four ration packs, please."

Lukas muttered, trying not to draw attention to himself. The Barkeep nodded and turned away from them, moving around the bar to get there food. Lukas unclipped his money pouch from his belt and held it tightly in his hand, waiting to pay. He glanced at Tom momentarily, making sure the other hadn't drawn attention to himself and was also- okay.

Tom tried his hardest not to look around, curious as a puppy, but in doing so found his gaze lingering just a bit too long at Lu's face. He didnt notice himself studying the other boy's features until the bartender came over, a glass in one hand and a dirty rag in the other.

He found himself to be bold enough to steal glances around at the other patrons, if only to avoid looking back to Lukas, a slight blush creeping up his neck. He turned his mind instead to Nox, and wondered at how the horse was faring all alone. Well, he had Iris, but Nox most likely didnt care one bit about her. Probably for the best, as tom imagined the feeling was mutual.

Tom met Lukas's gaze when he pulled out his money pouch, an inquisitive look on his face. He was perfectly well equipped to pay everything, but he also possessed the smarts to not whip out wealth most of the folks there wouldnt see in a year in front of everyone. (One point for pretty princesses street smarts 😌)

"Youre not going to make me sleep on the ground again, are you?" He whispered with a little smirk. Well, if that is the case, Tom just so happened to read recently that direct skin-to-skin contact is the best way to keep warm. Oh darn.

•Lukas Rin•

Lukas looked back to the bartender, watching the man work with cold eyes, watching him prepare the food and grab a few ration packs. He watches to make sure no one tries to slip anything into Pretty Princess' food. Even if he was hidden, who knows if anyone had recognized him? If they did-- they might try something. Tom really doesn't know how many people want him dead. The bartender walks back over, setting their things in front of them and raising an eyebrow, lips quirking up as if to say 'payment'. Lukas won't deny he's an attractive man, but he, sadly, prefers... more of a royal type.

"Here."

Lukas says, pulling the coins needed and dropping them into the barkeeps hand. One Vialph and two Scur. Should be enough, along with the fact they take almost any payment you could imagine around here. The bartender whistles lowly under the chatter of people and flips a coin in his hand. Then winks at the two and slides back down the bar. Lukas clicks his tongue at the motion, having to stop himself from rolling his eyes at that. He glances at Tom, watching him for a moment.

"... I'm tempted."

He replies simply, turning, once again, back to their food. He places two of the rations in his satchel and hands the other two to Tom to (hopefully) do the same. Then, because he does still have duties, takes a bite of all the portions of Tom's meal before sliding it toward the Pretty Pretty Princess. Hopefully if someone had dosed his food, it would be quick working and or non-lethal.

Lukas eats his food in silence. A slice of meat, some potatoes, and two slightly stale slices of bread. Not the best meal he's ever had, but you can't be as picky as a royal out here.

Tom watched the barkeep intently; he seemed tp be the sly sort with shifty hands and thirsty eyes, though there was something alluring about the angles of his jaw, the slanted smirk on his lips, the fluid way he ebbed and flowed like the tides back and forth between patrons in varying states of intoxication.

The atmosphere was sort of getting to Tom, loud and rowdy, unfamiliar and uncomfortable, yet there was something nice about being around ordinary people, no servants hovering like flies waiting for his beck and call.

"Youre horrible, you know that?" Tom huffed, turning his head back toward the bartender in an effort to hide a small smile. He let a small smile of thanks show as Lukas handed him the food; poison hadn't exactly crossed his mind in this dingy little place. Of course, Lu always thought of everything.

Tom ate slowly, one elbow resting on the bar top, enjoying the casualness of it all. No worry of table manners or forced politeness. The food was, well, edible. He knew not to expect much of it but he still missed the food of the chefs back home, not that he would say so.

(I hath unfortunately fallen ill, so please excuse the lackluster length of my writing 😔)

•Lukas Rin•

Lukas looks up from his food as they eat, chewing slowly. The meat really wasn't terrible, he preferred the potatoes though. His gaze begins another sweep of the tavern crowds, roaming over the groups of people more so then the solo people. Solo hunters don't come here, they go... elsewhere. Not here, this place is for group hunters, adventuring parties, sellers, swindlers, all the sort. All the sort... His eyes find a new shape enter the tavern, head ducked, cloak pulled around their body. The man is average height, muscular build, shaved brown hair, and an eye-catching scar running along the side of his eye and into his hairline. Nothing too specific... Another man enters right behind the first. Blond, about a head taller then the other, a wicked grin on his lips, a nasty claw like scar cutting into his cheek and dragging down his throat. They both wore a spun thread necklace close to their skin, a simple arrow dripping down like a warning.

"I'm very well aware. You tell me consistently."

Lukas drawled absentmindedly, his attention focused on the men. He wished it was centered on Tom, but it wasn't. His attention was focused on the two men on the far end of the bar, they were huddled close now, their hair almost touching, eyes flicking ever-so-often toward the bar, looking for something. For someone. They were not up to anything good, that much was obvious. Bounty hunters, if he had to guess. But that didn't make sense. He had kept up with the bounties around Thala Dorei, he had made sure all of the people who placed bounties on Tom, the prince, ended up far deeper than six feet under. So either they were bounty hunters with another job for an unknown face, or, the more dangerous options. They did have a job and were out to get Tom, or they didn't have a job and were hoping Tom's head would get them a pretty scur. (What worried Lukas was, it would work too.) Neither were good options. At all. Especially not since he had placed that symbol, the one around their throats. A group of bounty hunters who were more on the rogue end of bounty hunting then the guild side. Fuck. Not good news. Fuck.

Lukas felt suddenly not hungry at all. His appetite gone as quickly as his peace and calm. He slides off his barstool with ease, ducking his head down but keeping his eyes on the men in the corner. They were watching him now. He stared at them icily, hoping they fucking stayed there until he could get Tom away from this place. A hand slid it's way over Tom's back.

"Come on. Now."

He muttered, keeping his voice low, the sound barely a mumble over the loud chatter of the tavern. He didn't need to risk being heard. He didn't take his eyes off the bounty hunters, who had begun to weave their way through the crowds to get closer to the bar. Nope. They were leaving. Now. He moved away from Tom's barstool and grabbed the princes cloah, tugging on the end to begin half-drag half-lead Tom away from the bar.

It felt like a million thoughts were racing through his mind, even if his body stayed calm, he felt that familiar static in the back of his mind. The one that always seemed to snake into his thoughts when he was in a dangerous situation. When *Tom* was in a dangerous situation. The static always told him what to do, always made his thoughts somehow more coherent in his panic. He chalks it up to the years of war, because, really, there was no other reason for him to have such a good head on his shoulders in these situations. He continues weaving the both of them through the crowds, deciding what they would do if they found certain things. If the hunters reached them, if the horses had been found and or hurt, if they had to run instead of ride, etc. He thinks he has a pretty good plan by now though. Now, he just really needs Tom to become a mind reader and just not be stupid. That might be wishful thinking on his end, but Tom isn't stupid despite popular belief. Just... Princely.

Thomas eventually relaxed a little, idly watching the other patrons with a tired interest. Though, admittedly, his focus kept coming back to Lukas. Never for very long, but long enough to see what'd caught his attention and follow his gaze to the two suspicious folk.

Tom felt a sort of menacing aura about them, but didnt pay them too much mind.

Well, until he felt Lu's hand on him, and half stood, half got pulled to his feet, and stumbled after Lukas, trying not to trip over anyone.

Immediately his mind went to the horses. Nox. He was a pretty striking, recognizable horse, especially with his large stature and larger attitude. Plus, he was carrying all of Tom's belongings. Had those two Lukas had been eyeing come across the horses, and guessed who they belonged to? Were they smart enough to find Tom like that? Despite the nerves rising like bile in his throat, he found Lukas's presence to be calming.

"Who are they?" He asked quietly, not expecting much of an answer beyond actively hunting us or something to the same effect. He tried to keep focused on the two scarred men, but he slammed into someone who got caught between him an Lu, and he felt his grip on Lu slip. For a brief moment he could still feel the fabric of his cloak against in fingers, and panic seized him as he lost Lu entirely. He stopped and sputtered out an apology, craning his neck to try to find Lukas, but the crowd had swallowed him already.

"Looking a little lost there, eh?" Someone purred from behind him, oozing with malice. Tom tensed, hand going to his daggers hilt. He clenched his jaw and tried to act like he didnt hear, but someone leaned a little to close, resting their forearm on his shoulder like an old friend.

"Hey now, Im trying to help." This time, Tom turned to see the face of the taller blond man standing far too close to him. Judging by the wolf's grin on his ugly mug, he was Not trying to help.

With a false confidence, Tom smiled his most charming smile. "Sorry, I'm not in need of your services. Go find someone else's bed to warm."