( 𝚎𝚗 𝚖𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚎 )

The girl was pretty quick, and with the way she darted about, it was pretty obvious to Alisaie that she was used to eluding pursuers. In fact, there were times that she had nearly lost her in the crowd. However, she noticed an alley to the right - a tempting getaway for anyone. Immediately she turned on her heel just enough to dart in and continued down the narrow passage. Upon seeing the girl there, Alisaie stopped.

“Ah, there you are,” she said, taking a moment to see if there were any weapons on the other - no, at least not out in the open. She held up her hands a bit, to keep them from her own rapier. “People don’t usually steal medicine like that unless it’s needed for something in particular. Which, by the way, I’ve left coin with the merchant for it - whether you believe that or not. What ails your friend? Family? While I’m not the greatest of healers, I may be able to help in some fashion.”

She paused a moment. “I’m Alisaie Leveilleur, a member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn,” she said, trying to see if the Scions’ reputation would help. While her surname may not mean much to the other, it was possible she had heard of her Grandfather. She doubted as much though, considering both the other’s age and the fact they were here in Ishgard. “May I know yours?”

                      "..."

Mint hues stare down the stranger from beneath her cowl. A ‘Scion of the Seventh Dawn’? The girl could vaguely recall Sid making mentions of them. Outsiders in the city, making a habit of sticking their noses where they didn't belong. Them and that Warrior of Light---as long as they put the Temple Knights in their place and kept the pressure off them he truly cared less. If only they had arrived sooner maybe Fray would still…

She brings notably shaking hands to once more to tug her cape into concealing herself, the bottles in her sleeves held dearly to her chest. Rielle was not to speak to strangers-- even someone new to the city could be bribed into hunting her down, but this girl... she hadn’t drawn her weapon yet. Could it be she was really that clueless? Or just dedicated to a facade to lure her in? The child sidles against the wall into a corner, putting a tiny bit more space between them. Voice not above a whisper, she lets her eyes fall to the ground.

It was true that Alisaie had seen the girl steal from the street vender. She had been going on a self tour around Ishgard to acquaint herself a bit before going to make the trip to the Fortemps manor. It had been something of a request of the Scions that she go and learn of the city and their allies, which she was completely fine with. After all, it was their kindness in her hour of need that allowed her to stay alive from the poison that soured her reunion with the others.

However, while the other girl assumed she would call her out or some such, she had seen enough of the world to know that there were less fortunate out there. One didn’t typically steal medicine or food unless it was needed, at least not the highly expensive things. She left some coins with the vendor, not even sure if she overpaid or not and took off running after her. The crowd made it difficult for a moment, what with so many adult Elezen around. But, she soon found the rushing girl and continued the chase.

“Hey you! Stop running!” she found herself shouting. “I want to simply talk!” Hey you? Perhaps not her best opening phrase, but what else could she refer to the stranger as?

The girl looks over her shoulder at the shouts, praying to gods above for her to stop. How many people had she blindly trusted 'wished to talk' with her as well? Calling out to her, luring her into traps in hopes of coin from the Temple Knights once they heard rumors of her tale. How much blood would not have been spilled if she had realized that in this world you must only fend for yourself? No, Rielle would not be trusting some stranger on the streets-- she was not that naïve child anymore. The world was ruthless and awful and she was not going to hand herself over just like that. Her guardian needed her and she was going to help him.

A patrol rounding the corner corralled her focus back and stopped her sprint and confidence dead in their tracks. Fleeting looks between the knights and her follower put Rielle in a tight spot. Running past them wasn't an option with the girl yelling behind her, but getting caught could mean she would meet them anyway. Instead she chooses to dart into a nearby dark alley in hopes to cut through to anywhere but here. The path felt to be a much needed savior-- until a short turn revealed it was just a dead-end.

       familiar,

How long had it been since she had last left the safety of their room? Rubber soles of well-loved winter boots echo her nervousness against the quiet cobble streets; her hands eagerly fidgeting at the clasp of her woolen cloak and religiously tugging upon her hood to aptly cover any identifying features. There was a weight capturing her chest, a tossing ocean of anxiety inside her threatening to take all she knew. The walk to the Jeweled Crozier had never felt longer.

It was once those stalls came into view that she steeled and re-inspired herself. She wasn’t ever allowed to go out without Sid, not with the Temple Knights still dedicated to their hunt but this time was different... It was because of Sid that she left. He had fallen rather ill and despite her protests his stubbornness let it progress to a worrying state. Rielle’s visit to the Apothecary stall was intent on fixing, though with Sid down for the count there was little gil in already strained pockets. So, the required medicinal potions and antidotes would have to be acquired by less legal means.

You’ve really thrown your cares to the wind.