Estella hadn't even thought about it... The fear in Urie's eyes made her simply nod when he said they needed to run and follow him. She wasn't sure what their budding feelings were but it was something so strong and pure that she couldn't resist it. She would follow him anywhere, the queen and court be damned.

They had finally stopped when they reached a clearing deep in the forest. She wasn't sure how long they had been running, she only knew she'd torn her dress in several places along the way. She'd intended to return it originally, didn't seem she would now... the skirt was in tatters anyway. She took deep breaths as she came to a stop, her hand touching against a tree as she leaned on it.

"U..Urie?" She asked softly, as she turned those soft lilac eyes on him. He looked a little disheveled but still handsome. Fear did not belong on that face she thought absently. Somehow .. she would protect him. He would never have to be afraid again. she didn't know how she would manage it but she would find a way... He would be safe!

They'd be spotted, and the danger to Estella had pushed Uriel to do something rather rash. They'd run together, away from the courts and the hold of the queen. Running trough the forest had had made him realize just how much of a hold the fae had upon him, and how very demanding the queen was. Uriel still didn't quite understand why she was the way she was, but her cruel ways had to stop! If by running away with someone who had fast become dear ot his heart might do that, then so be it.

Glancing to the redhead, he moved closer with steady steps. Within moments Uriel was leaning against her slightly with a reassuring smile. "We'll be alright, you'll see." The problem was getting away from these fae. Shifting around to throw a furtive glance into the trees, Uriel let out a sigh. Frowning in concentration he wove an illusion of Estella and himself which he sent off in another direction.

Gently tugging her arm he tried to guide her the other way. Later on he would make another batch of illusions to lead them astray. Eventually the people would realize what was going on, but for now they would follow all leads. That's what Uriel was counting on.

Estella returned the smile and briefly she leaned into his comfort. She couldn't help but enjoy the feeling, for all that had happened. He made her feel at peace... even as audri shouted how he would get her killed. She ignored the voice of the sword and simply took Urie's hand. She held his hand lightly as she let herself be led, watching the illusions absently. Would they work? Despite her skill with light she wasn't that good at illusion spells.

"Are...Are you sure you won't regret this?" She asked softly, her lavender gaze locking to his. Her fae like grace and instinct would keep her feet on the path even as she looked at him, her elf nature able to 'sense' the forest well enough to guide her blind. She was uncertain... was she really worth throwing away his life for? She wanted desperately for him to go with her, to stay at his side but she wanted him to be happy.

Could he really be happy? Going from the court to her way of life? Alone with only her for company? She was not so sure. He had never known this life, even if he had the strength for it. Would he love her? Or grow to hate her for having taken him away from everything? So many questions and tiny fears swirled in her head...yet she knew she as good as belonged to him. She couldn't leave him, she couldn't stay away.

The changeling made his way trough the forest paths easily. He didn't often get to leave the courts, true, but this was an area he'd already explored. Perhaps going this way wasn't the best of ideas, but the white haired changeling preferred knowing where he was going to getting irrevocably lost. Suddenly the thought of where they would go worried Uriel, until he remembered that Estella had said she'd traveled or at least had adventures.

As they moved trough the thick brush Uriel did his best to concentrate on their path while trying to think of the right words to say. "No, I've always wanted to travel. There was simply never a good enough reason to leave." And always a very good reason to stay. But that was all lost to him now, and consequences be hanged! A pang still went trough his heart at the thought that he would probably never again see Heiro or Ignatius. Missing the both of them was going to be a terrible pain, but now there was Estella. Shooting her a smile, Uriel did his best to hide his worries from her.

Estella returned his smile with a soft one of her own but there was a touch of doubt in her eyes. She didn't believe it was that simple or he would have left long ago. Was there someone special back at the court? No... he didn't seem the type to have said the things he had on that balcony if he truly loved another. Of course... that didn't mean he wouldn't someday as ignatius had she thought darkly, but for now he didn't.

"i'm sorry... for anything you've lost for this, all the same." She finally said quietly, keeping her thoughts to herself. She often did when she thought they might hurt. Instead she smiled a soft apologetic smile and continued to follow his lead. As a half elf she could have ran full speed and made it through, but his eyes being human they had to move at his pace. She wondered briefly if that would slow them down too much. She did not know how well fae saw in the dark...

She frowned at the thought, her ears dipping slightly in thought. if it came to that, if they found them... she would fight. She wouldn't let them force him back to god knows what consequences even if it cost her everything. This was her fault and she would set it right. Such was her nature.

Shaking his head the young man pressed the pace. Relief and worry washed over him when a path opened up before them. Glancing to Estella he sighed and motioned for her to move forward. "I've no idea where to go anymore. You'll have to take the lead." In truth it frightened him to leave the courts behind. They were the world he knew, and had grown up with. The rules though harsh comprised his world. "Don't apologize ... I'm simply afraid to leave what I knew. It's normal." The truth of it only served to frighten Uriel more.

Estella watched him a moment before she nodded slightly. She knew the feeling, torn between the desire to explore and the fear of the unknown. She took his hand as they reached the path, inwardly debating where to go. There was a few different possibilities. There was a small few good camp sites and small villages but first they'd have to stop by her the small inn where she had her things. Her hat that covered her elf like ears was necessary if nothing else...

"I can guide us... It'll be alright." She finally said softly after a moment. She blushed deeply but gave him a comforting kiss on his cheek. She then began to lead them towards the inn. It was a secluded thing and would require walking partially on the path and partially through a few thickets of trees but it wasn't too far. They wouldn't have to walk more then an hour, through which she would hold his hand. She watched him from the corner of her eye as she started walking, wondering how he'd react to what was...for her... a bold move.

It was hard to believe all that he had already done. Gone against the queen, left behind all the people at the masquerade ... It was kind of liberating, save for the fact that Uriel felt a stab of constant guilt for leaving Heiro to deal with the consequences of his actions. The thoughts flew from his mind half formed as he felt lips brush against his cheek. Turning beet red, he tilted his head to peer down at Estella with a smile.

It was unexpectedly sweet and only served to warm Uriel's heart. "I trust you." Three simple words, and they meant so much. Truth rang and quivered trough each one as the sound of leaves rustling in the wind reached Uriel's ears. His grey eyes moved quickly trough their surroundings suspiciously but found no signs of followers yet. Just to be safe he created another illusory pair and sent them off in the direction opposite the ones Estella chose.

Estella felt the blush deepen as Uriel blushed, it made what she had done seem even more bold. The blush faded as he spoke, however, and for a moment she grew still. He trusted her... the faith in his tone filled her with warmth. She was not so use to being believed in. She pushed away the thought, however, and kept going. She tugged him along gently, staying quiet a moment. They were nearing the inn.

"T..thank you. I... I need to grab my things, You should probably stay here." She finally murmured softly. She would pause in her steps only as she could see the faint glow of the inn's lights. She released his hand slowly, reluctantly. With a final warm smile she disappeared between the trees to head towards the inn. It would only be fifteen to twenty minutes before she returned. She had left the jewel encrusted mask and dress on the bed for the one who had lent it to her, and now wore more of her usual clothing.

She was dressed in simple but feminine attire with her usual amount of jewelry. For her top she wore a light blue, long sleeved top that went to her mid thigh with a v neck and a collar like a man's button down top had under a dark blue and black, corset like vest that accented her curves. She also wore black slacks over hiking boots and a floppy black hat that half covered her ears. Her hair was now in a long braid with a few pieces on each side left loose. Over it all was bits of gold jewelry that made the outfit look feminine.

"I... I figured i'd change into clothing better for travel. Hopefully you dont' mind?" She said quietly with a slightly bashful smile as she hitched her bag higher on her shoulder. She hoped he wasn't mad at her for leaving him alone for those few minutes. She had sensed no one in the woods or she wouldn't have gone. No one was here but them... there was something precious in that. Something wonderful that she had never felt before.

He waited patiently for Estella's return, all the while lancing around suspiciously at the surrounding trees as if something would leap out to capture them at any moment. That was always a possibility. Frightening as the thought was, it was also exhilarating. This was what an adventure felt like! It brought a smile to Uriel's face, which only widened when he saw the redhead return. Absentmindedly removing his mask and tucking it away, Uriel moved forward to stand by her side once more.

With a laugh he wrapped an arm around her waist to tug her in close for a hug. "No, of course I don't mind. Have you any idea where to go? I know a large human city, with .. Cars and electricity" He still found it all very strange, the idea that light could be created without magic. In fact, functioning without magic was a strange idea, almost alien, to the young man.

((what era is this anyway? i figured it was the beginning of the industrial age, not quite modern day but cars makes me think modern day so I figured I'd check xD)

Estella blushed as he pulled her into a hug but nuzzled contently into his shoulder. She couldn't help but wrap an arm around his shoulder, her eyes closing slightly. He felt so warm in the chill of the evening air. It felt so safe in his arms, so right. It made her feel at peace. As he spoke, however, she shook her head without lifting it from his shoulder. She tended to avoid the large human cities. They tended to want paperwork she didn't have, though a few glamour spells could convince people to leave her alone she didn't like doing them.

"It might be best to stay away from them for now. We'll draw enough attention as is. There are some smaller towns that aren't quite so picky we can head to, as well as some old friends I know. I figure we'll head to a friend's cottage. He lives in the mountains north of here. His name is Beriac and he's a half orc but he is about your size so should have some spare clothes. He also doesn't think much of the fae so I doubt the court will know or care for him. He only likes me because I'm a halfling like he is" She said quietly as she frowned to herself. She felt ...strange taking charge but she knew the routes better so it just made sense. Still he could always veto the idea if he disliked it..

The changeling smiled softly to himself as he listened intently to the young woman's words. It made sense, and she had more connections outside the court then Uriel did. After all, if they went to another of the courts, or to any of the allies, there could be an interminable amount of repercussions. Though he was running away he still wanted no harm to fall to those who had been his family for his whole life. The unseelie court still held part of his heart, and always would.

Pulling back slightly, Uriel offered up a smile to the stars above. "Then what are we waiting for? We should set off. The more road we can cover, the faster the courts will be lost behind us." Releasing the redhead, he took hold of her hand to look around and peer at the different paths open to them. Perhaps they needed more illusions, with the thought Uriel created another. Sending it off towards yet another path, the white haired man turned his eyes expectantly to Estella's lilac ones.

Estella smiled and squeezed his hand, it felt so right to have hers in his. As he looked at her so expectantly, however, she did feel a moment of guilt and responsibility fill her. She pushed away the thought and focused on the man at her side and how warm he was. She then started forward, her gaze on the ground. Was she really doing the right thing? She bit her lip and focused on the path, unsure what to say a moment.

"he'll be a little gruff but he's all bark, inside he's just a big teddy bear. He's lived alone most of his life, not having use for modern society. He lives off the land and just doesn't really understand social customs of any kind. I run into a lot of his type in my travels..." She explained quietly. She wasn't sure how the man at her side, so use to the courtly ways of fae society, would react. She hadn't liked the half orc at first and she was use to his kind! Still, getting him there was what mattered now. The faced quite a hike up into the mountain. It would be a dirty, dusty, three hour journey.

During the hike she distracted herself from her worries about urie by telling him about plants they ran across and occasionally animal tracks. She tried to tell him everything she could and in the most entertaining way possible. If they were separated at any point it was knowledge that could save his life. Not that she had any intention of letting him go... unless it was of his own choice. She already cared for him too much... who knows... maybe part of her already did love him. She was so knew to such emotions she really wasn't sure. As they arrived, however, she would stop worrying about anything but making sure the orc reacted alright to urie and vice versa.

"hey! Beriac! you around?" She called cheerfully as she held urie's hand a little tighter. She was always careful to announce her presence, not wanting the orc to mistake her for trespassers or hunters. As she called out they could hear the sound of wood being chopped around the corner. The sounds stopped as she called out and soon a large man with an ax over his shoulder sauntered out. He attempted to smile but it looked more like a grimace and his eyes were suspicious as they flew over Urie.

He was tall for a human but short for an orc, with the same skin of a causation human stretched over a not quite human form. He had small tusks typical of his kind and slightly elf like pointed ears. His eyes were also all black and his hands slightly claw-like. His build was rather small for an orc, almost slender really but beneath his skin the muscles would ripple slightly as they moved. He seemed to hold all the power of his kind in those muscles, even if he had a more human build.

As they walked, Uriel did his best to hide the fact that he already knew everything Estella told him. The queen had made certain he could track anyone, or anything, trough all terrain that could possibly come his way. He was her champion and sometimes assassin, or at least that was what he had left behind.

The white haired man found himself suddenly assaulted with the enormity of what he had done. Everything he'd known, and everything that he was, was all tied in with the Unseelie court. Without it, Uriel found himself empty of purpose. It was the most unpleasant feeling in his life, even more unpleasant then the spell Queen Phryne had used to extend his lifespan.

Shaking the thought away he looked up, and up, to meet the half ogre's eyes. Offering up a small smile he moved forward to extend a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Uriel and I am a friend of Estella's." A sudden sound made the white haired man twitch nervously and send his eyes into the forest.

With groan and a frightened sound, Aletta fumbled about the tree nervously to peek out. A house! Oh this was luck, but suddenly horrified she backed away to fall to the ground. No, that house could belong to anyone! Some serial killer hiding out with people to torture, maybe it was one of those people! The really tall guy had looked really strange ... Maybe it was him, he had an axe and everything!

Frantic thoughts ran trough her mind as the brunette shook her head. Green eyes wide, she suddenly felt her vision fading in and out. Dizziness flew trough her mind. Soon enough everything became black. The exhaustion and stress of the past few days plus this newest development had finally gotten to Aletta. She'd fainted.

Beriac looked over the two with little emotion and grunted slightly as the other male spoke. He didn't seem to be very impressed with the polite introduction. Then again maybe he just doubted they were just friends or maybe he thought saying it was a pleasure to meet him was too rash. He was the type to dislike such a phrase. For a moment it even looked like he had no intention of saying anything as those beady eyes looked over the male. Still after a few seconds he would break his silence. Estella, however, knew him well enough to know he would speak eventually so just waited.

"Urie huh?......I'm Beriac. Head inside Estella" He responded, looking to estella after he said his name and proceeding to ignore Urie. He would have headed inside himself then but he heard a sound. He raised the ax a moment only to spot the source of the sound. A girl? He walked over and checked her for injuries before he figured out she fainted. With a shrug he'd unceremoniously and without warning throw the ax to bury itself in the side of his cottage before he turned back to the girl. He lifted her and started inside where he'd dump her on a spare bed in the side room and start a pot of tea.

***

"Don't mind him... he was like that when I first met him too" Estella whispered to urie as she walked over to him. She too heard someone approach then, her ears twitching slightly. She blinked and watched beriac take her in silently. Strange.. She shrugged at the thought, Beriac was a good medic really so she was in good hands. He wasn't the gentlest sort but he was skilled and genuinely very caring, not that you'd ever really see it unless you were under his care. The way he was treating her though, she'd guess the woman had fainted.

"Lets head in" She stated quietly as she began to walk towards the home. Without meaning to she had gripped Urie's hand and still held it. She wondered how Urie would react to the cottage. It was fairly simple, only two rooms. One of those two rooms was a three bed spare room for patients with various medical supplies. The other room was much larger but held just about everything else. In one corner his own bed was curtained off, the rest of the room holding a kitchen area and a rustic table with a few chairs. There was also a battered looking sofa though the wooden chairs looked like they might be more comfortable. It was the kind of cabin that looked like it belonged more in the old wild west then the modern era.

Uriel stared a little after the half oger proceeded to tell Estella to get inside. It was a little strange to be sure, but not all that much for one who'd grown up with the fae of the Unseelie court surrounding him. Turning grey eyes to Estella with a small smile "He's not all that shocking." In fact compared to some of the beings he'd met, Beriac was as tame as a cat was compared to a lion. He doubted the man would care very much for the comparison though.

Gripping Estella's hand in his own, he followed the red head towards the cottage. It looked like a cozy enough place. The insides didn't change Uriel's opinion of the place. Anything was better then sleeping without cover in a snow storm like he'd once had the pleasure of doing. Only some quick thinking on his part had saved his skin.

------------

Aletta was completely oblivious to everything around her. Minutes ticked by slowly until her eyes opened wide with fright. She tried sitting up, but dizziness made her give up on that idea. Her hands trembled as the brunette lifted them up with a sigh. Fainting was the worst experience Aletta had ever had, and it happened far too often to her for her liking.

"good" Estella responded, unsure what else to say. She did visibly relax, however, having been worried that court would have predisposed him to gentler souls.... or at at least ones that pretended to be. After urie had become so frightened of the queen she seriously doubted they were as kind as they would like to appear. She smiled gently at him as he gripped her hand and couldn't help but walk a little closer. Once they crossed inside she leaned closer, just enough to whisper in his ear something she'd decided despite her guilt about dragging him away from the court.

"I...I really am glad I went to the masquerade" She whispered before she released his hand and crossed to the table. She began to help the orc lay out the tea in the sort of practiced way that showed it had happened many times before. They seemed to communicate without speaking and though Beriac was hardly graceful the pair seemed to match a moment. It ended quickly, however, as they were done and the orc sat down. He affixed Estella with a hard look and waited for her to sit down before he spoke.

"So what trouble are you in" It was a simple question and his done demanded an equally straightforward answer. Estella glanced at Urie but then looked back to Beriac. She wasn't sure how she should answer him but finally settled on simply the truth. He had always proved a most trustworthy ally for all his roughness... and had never failed to understand a person in need. Still, it was a more delicate problem then usual too

"We need a place to stay for a few days and some clothing for him. He's leaving the fae court and we don't know if they'll be very happy about it..." Estella answered quietly. Beriac stared at her a few moments and then looked between the two. One could nearly see the gears turning in his head as he debated. One didn't take such a risk for much... generally greed, fear, or love. Looking at estella Beriac quickly decided love.

"You can stay in the care room and he can just go through my trunk and take what he needs.... Just don't bring too much trouble you hear?" He stated after a grunt. He didn't seem at all concerned with what the court might do and knowing him, he probably wasn't. Estella was so relieved she leaned forward and hugged the orc around the shoulders tightly as she stated multiple thank yous. As he watched her he decided yeah, definitely love even as he began to blush. Being he was not one to believe blushing all that manly he sought to end the hug quickly.

"Yeah yeah yeah, ge' off girly"

Her words had Uriel smiling as she walked away. Though worried he didn't let it stop him from enjoying this flight for what it was. An adventure into the world he'd always dreamed of exploring, the first of many hopefully. With such thoughts running trough his mind the white haired man moved to settled down with a cup of tea. Sipping the mixture delicately he listened to the conversation with a half smile. It was really nice, seeing the way Estella acted with others.

Even more so when it proved he wasn't the only one she managed to make blush. Setting the cup aside, the young man sighed before moving away from the two. He was nervous, and couldn't stand still for very long. The fae could come after them and certainly would. There was no denying that.

"Where's the trunk?" Perhaps a little blunt, but right now all Uriel wanted to do was distract himself from ... Well his own thoughts as they ran around in circles. They danced and twisted around always covering the same ground over and over again.

Aletta fell off the bed with a thump. Groaning lightly she rubbed her head and looked around with fright. They would have heard, whoever they were! That man, that frightening man ... Just the sight of him and the thought of what he might do had her shivering. Without thinking the young woman tried to crawl under the bed and huddled there in fear.

"By the bed... Estie go show him" the orc half growled as his blush had deepened. Estella seemed clueless, still sure that even though Urie had confessed to her she wasn't someone who men salivated over or anything. She was just a friend hugging another friend and Urie just liked her because...well... that she hadn't figured out. Maybe he just wanted to escape the court that much? She wasn't sure... Now, however it was time to get him dressed in something a little less conspicuous.

"this way" Estella said quietly as she walked over to Urie and playfully tugged him towards the curtained off corner. She held his hand gently, feeling a little shy as she thought of something. She was technically leading a man towards a bed... Now normally she didn't think that way, where had that come from! She blushed slightly and pushed away the thought before she paused near the curtain and threw it open. She pointed towards the trunk in question but then realized that no one was on the bed. Hmm? She crouched low, looking around for a few moments before she finally found the girl.

"Um... hi there... No need to hide sweetie, we're all friends here" She said in a soft, gentle voice. She held out a hand towards the girl as she stayed crouched there. She watched the woman, curious why she was so afraid. Why was she so frightened? Was it Beriac? Estella's elf like ears twitched a little as she inwardly had to admit he could be scary...