The Homeless Psychologist

A young man walked confidently through a quiet village named Ravisia, located a few hours walk from Utopia. The confidence in his stride wasn't extravagant or flamboyant, but simply assured - this is a man who knows his purpose, his path, his destiny.
That man was named Mikael, and he was far less confident than he was letting on.
Much like his fancy coat hid the simple, dirty clothes underneath, his confident demeanor was a mask to make people think he was something that he was not.

For the last couple of weeks, Mikael had been serving as a personal psychologist for one Lord Benjamin Tuttel, a wealthy land-owner around these parts. When he knocked on the lord's door for the first time, Mikael introduced himself as a skilled practicioner of psychology, something that was 'the new buzz' in the capital. Lord Tuttel, easily impressed and desperate to become more like the lords of the inner city, immediately hired Mikael.
It was an easy job. It mainly involved sitting for hours and listening to the middle-aged lord ramble on, all while scribbling notes. Thankfully, because their sessions were long, Mikael was offered various treats and snacks throughout the day, which he accepted gladly.
For you see, when Mikael was not pretending to be something he was not, he was a wanted, frightened boy who lived in a cave.

Every day, he would wake from the sun's rays that made their way into his cave. He would always wake up sweating and panting, because the nightmares haven't stopped haunting him. Immediately, he would head out of the cave and check the traps he laid out, which were usually empty. He would then head to the nearby stream, and wash off him the sweat and dirt of nature. It was scary and hard to live like this, sure, but Mikael was not pessimistic. He also saw the beauty of nature, the freedom that lay abundant around hm. It was nice.

From there, he would begin an hour's walk out of the forest and onto the road to Ravisia. He'd usually hitch a ride on a merchant's cart, and put in his fancy, intellect-type coat. It was all about impressions, in this world. It didn't matter that Mikael was a caveman with no family or friends, as long as he could act like an intellectual of the inner city.
After his sessions with the Lord Tuttel, he'd usually head out to one of the local taverns, for a nice meal and drink. Despite being homeless, he still had his money from his previous job as a Military Policeman, as well as a nice new sum from his work as a psychologist. Since Tuttel knew so little about the profession, and was so desperate to seem more lord-like, it was all too easy for Mikael to charge a steep price for his services.

And that's where he was heading now, actually. He just finished another session with that buffoon-of-a-lord Tuttel, and a visit to the tavern to loosen up his wallet seemed like a fun idea.
He waltzed into the sleepy tavern, and flicked a golden coin over to the bartender. "I'll have the usual" he shouted over, a broad smile on his face. He settled by the fireplace and warmed up as the meal was being prepared.
For a criminal on the run, life sure is great he noted, huddling closer next to the warm, gentle fire.

It was cold. Way too cold for what Cora was usually used to around this time of the year. She was also not very used to being this far up north. Even though it was uncommon for her she still enjoyed the coldness and the freshness the weather brought with it. In the summer the heat and bad air was sitting in Krolva and did not leave the district. It was less bad now given the pact had their own place outside of the district itself, but each time she went back the air was so thick that she could more or less cut it into blocks. And that was not even talking about the black market, which was underground. More or less a huge oven. Very unpleasant.
She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air to the brim. Incredibly pleasant.
Her job up in Utopia was quite simple and neither usual or unusual. They had to escort a few nobles back and forth. The reason Cora came was simply because they requested her specifically and she was glad about the extra money and the few days off up in the north before they had to head back downwards.
She had been working so much lately she could very well use a bit of time away from any sort of apparent danger from fellow Alphas or other shady persons.

Cora went away from where they had brought the nobles. She left her own mercenaries there, she really could use some time completly away from anyone she knew not even talking about the fact that those were in fact not even her own. She was the alpha of Krolva after all and not Utopia.
She took a bit of money with her, just enough to afford a good meal and some drinks and went into the next tavern she could find. What better way to forget work other than a tavern filled with rather happy people and alcohol, eh?
She sat down semi close to the fire place. It was in the corner after all and she would be able to have a look at everyone in the tavern without it being obvious.

Cora ordered something to eat and drink. Nothing special. Just a simple meal and some good, strong alcohol to forget about her current situation. Since Alan's funeral she did not want to have anything to do with any of her usual 'friends' or in general people she was close with. It would hurt them. It would hurt them way too much and she did not want to risk it in any way. This was another reason why she had gladly accepted her trip to Utopia, it was quite far away from all the mess in the south. She barely knew anyone up here and the chances anyone knew here were slim and acceptable enough to losen up a bit.

She had just gotten a meal when another person entered the tavern and let the chef know that he just wanted to 'have the usual'.
It had always been one of Cora's minor goals to ever settle down somewhere enough that she could just tell to someone that she just wanted the 'usual'. Nothing more. Just 'the usual'. A familiar enviroment where the people would serve her the 'usual meal' and not the 'usual weapons' or even worse 'usual kids'. Or something like that. That to be said, she made it sound worse than it was. She had never ordered weapons like that. Or bought kids in the same manner. After all she had to quality check both of them, something that was not required in a standard meal.
Cora wondered if what she had ordered was the same as what the man ordered. She was quite jealous that he was well known and apparently also liked enough to just come into a tavern and immediatly got what he wanted because they knew him well enough.
She shook her head and took a huge sip out of her beer. No use getting depressed now. She was after all here to relax a bit, but if she would continue sitting here like this she would for sure end up depressed.

Cora stood up and took her meal and sat across the man that had entered the bar.
"Might I sit here?", she asked and sat down, not waiting for his answer, "I am sorry for being so rude, but you seem like a rather happy and entertaining chap and I do not want to be the sad and lonely one sitting at the bar drinking away her sorrows."

Cora smiled at him, hoping he would not get angry at her for doing so. "Tell me if I am bothering you. I am good at staying quiet.", she tied up her currently red dyed hair and started eating.

Mikael was merrily enjoying the warmth of the fire when he heard footsteps. He turned only to see a woman approach, tall and red-haired.
"Oh?" his interest was sparked almost instantly. He was pretty good at remembering faces, and the fugitive was quite certain he'd never seen this lady here in this town before. He was sure he'd remember, considering how good she was looking.
Sadly, this was more bad news than good news. Suspicion stirred up in Mikael. A small village like this up north did not get visitors very often. Could she be a hired assassin or bounty hunter, out to get him? Or an MP in disguise? Mikael wished, not for the first time, that he had Alan's incredible ability to remember each and every Military Policeman.

Sadly, Mikael was no Alan Katlewande. He wasn't a Policeman anymore, for that matter. He'd just have to do his best to pretend everything's normal, all the while keeping an eye out for any suspicious behavior.
Pretend everything's normal... Pretend everything's normal... Man, that's a strong shade of red.
Flirt. Of course. That's what he'd normally do. He was Mikael the bold! No goal was out of reach, no woman out of league!
The blonde young man flashed a smile, his golden curls almost dancing in the firelight.
When the woman apologized for approaching so rudely, Mikael simply waved his hand in dismissal.
"Oh, it's quite fine, I assure you. Normally, I'd have to pay fine gold to get company as fine as yours." he chuckled at his own joke, perhaps a little loudly.
Mikael's hands got closer to the fire, and he could really feel the heat coming off. The wary might've noticed that by doing so, he also got his hands closer to the fire iron.

Mikael's eyes darted back to the mysterious pretty redhead, his eyes like a curious lion's.
"Still, a man may have some questions. Such as what could possibly get a beautiful girl like you down?"
He smiled a sly smile and folded his hands under his chin.
"You'll find that I am also a good listener. After all, that's my job."

Cora enjoyed her meal, it warmer her up from the inside, it made her a bit more relaxed. The beer tasted quite good as well and she had it down within a short time.
Her recent exposure to all sorts of problems has caused her to drink a bit more alcohol than she liked to. It had its benefits, including that she did not get drunk as easily anymore...it also brought quite some problems with it...she was trying to stay away from much right now, she did not like being drunk to forget. It was awful. Drinking when she wanted to have fun however was acceptable. Right now she merely wanted to enjoy the bitter and cold taste of the beer.

Cora watched the blonde man across from her, she did not know him at all. He could be anyone. Good, she did not want to talk someone she knew either right now. He seemed nervous, there were a few expressions from which she could tell, but she did not let him know that she knew. Whatever was stressing him...she was not interested right now. Unless she was stressing him...in which case. She threw those thoughts away, no need to analyze him deeply now, to her he was a mere friendly stranger in a tavern, and she hoped to be the same right now.

Cora just continued eating as he said that he would usually have to pay to get to see her. How could he possibly know that she was a mercenary? Was it this obvious? She was amazed at his ability to tell her behaviour apart this easily. She would have to watch out after all!
She noticed him getting closer to the fire, an iron was quite close right now as well. Did he...?
He continued talking and it threw her off even more. 'Getting her down' What. She was utterly confused.

She swallowed her food and looked up again, "First: You were quite right, people usually do pay alot to 'hang' out with me. Secondly:", Nec interupted her and informed her that he might not have immediatly been able to tell that she was in fact a mercenary. Cora turned completly red, matching her new hair colour.
"We might. Have....misunderstood you.", she said slowly before recovering her ability to speak fully, "For your information: Yes, you can hire me. But not in...this way.", she smiled awkwardly, "Now to get further confusion out of the way: I will interpret your 'down' as 'here', aka this city. I am escorting nobles to some important meeting, during this meeting I have a few days off."
She sighed and took another bite.
Cora looked up again, "Now I have successfully ruined our rather alright introduction. To...easen the tension a bit...you are a professional listener? What is that?"
She was genuinely interested. 'Professional listener'? Was that a code word for spy?

Mikael watched Cora, transfixed. As she carried on talking, the calm look in his eyes slowly turned to one of confusion, and his confident smile turned to an uneasy grin of a man who doesn't know how to react.
He was rather surprised by how seriously she took his little jest about 'hiring' her. He thought he made it quite clear that it was nothing more than a joke when he laughed at it. Was she dense?
Eventually, she probably caught wind of his confused expression, because her face turned a cute shade of red (still a few shades shy of her hair) and she briskly clarified the matter.

The rogue couldn't help but smile a little when the peculiar redhead said she interpreted his 'down' as 'down here, in Ravisia'. In truth, he meant to ask why she was feeling down. She did say she didn't want to feel blue anymore with their encounter only a moment ago. He did want to know what she was doing in this remote village, but she already saved him the question. He decided there was no reason to correct her.
What a strange lady; Mikael remarked in his head. Unfortunately, because she used the word escort to describle her job, she in fact didn't clear up the misinterpretation she has caused. Mikael was now convinced that he was sitting across a prostitute-escort for hire.
She already sparked Mikael's interest. Naturally, the thought of hiring her services for the next few hours, but instantly a vivid image of Sofia appeared in his mind. Instantly, his body became rigid, his hand's clasp on each other tightening.
His sex drive was instantly shut down. He wanted to think about something else but his dead lover. Anything else. In order to keep his mind off, he began answering the redhead's question.

"Well, 'professional listener' is just one way to put it. I'm pretty much an 'escort', but for a person's psyche. I listen to my clients talk, and they talk a lot. They talk of their lives, their problems, their deepest thoughts and secrets, and then I give them advice... If they pay well enough."
Mikael's eyes gleamed, his smile sly and cheshire-like.
"You'll find people tend to pay very little attention to their mind. Perhaps too little, if you ask me. Out of check, some most unfortunate things may happen..."
The boy's smile faltered. He hoped he didn't go over the poor woman's head. Perhaps he was overselling his disguise as an intellectual?

Footsteps. Mikael looked up, and smiled in delight. His meal was ready, and its aroma roused him. He licked his lips eagerly. A plate was placed before him, a bunch of beautiful bacon strips were placed on top of it, neatly organized in a row. Beside it, was a mug of light beer.
It wasn't a particularly fancy meal, but bacon and beer were enough to put a smile on Mikael's face every day.
He took a quick swig, then happily started munching on a bacon strip.
"Anyway," he managed between gulps "I couldn't help but hear you were a bit sad earlier. How about I try to help you out with your problem? Free of charge, of course."
He continued chewing the cooked delicacy, stopping briefly for another drink. Mikael was not one to withhold satisfaction from himself.

Cora did the same he apparently did as a job: Listen. She was still quite confused that this was in fact a job. Who wanted to tell others their secrets? That was just...stupid! They could use it against you! How odd. Nec was still quite interested, someone that managed to get paid for possibly collecting future blackmail certainly had managed to get somewhere in life, did he not? Nec thought it might be quite useful to take on a disguise like that in the future, even though Cora would probably not be able to pull it off well. After all did the person in front of her not really seem to bare even half of the amount of scars she had on her back alone. That to be said, he was unable to see her scars, and she was unable to see if he had any.
During the whole time he talked about his job her face was just one of utter confusion with a bit of admiration for him.

The man finally got his food as well, it made it a bit less awkward in her opinion as they were now both eating. Vex heavily disagreed to this, in his opinion eating made no situation awkward. In fact it only made it better, if someone was eating in front of him he only had the urge to steal it from them. Cora tried contradicting him that that was the exact reason why things got awkward because she wanted to take their food but got quickly thrown out of her thoughts by him asking her about her being sad.

Cora laughed nervously. "You...me...listening? Ha.", she continued to laugh very quietly almost inaudible.
"Oh man, you would be in for a ride.", she chuckled a bit and took another bite from her food, she was almost done by now.
"Apropose riding, lemme order whatever you are eating as well. I have been riding all day long and constantly having to watch out is rather exhausting even to someone that does this practically every day.", she turned around and asked the man at the bar for the same food.
"So let me summarize: You get paid for collecting blackmail against someone? I must say...that is pretty amazing. I wish my job would be that easy.", she shook her head, still in disbelief.
Cora took finished her current meal and started cleaning the plate with a bit of bread. This way she would atleast get some time to think about whether or not she actually wanted to talk about it or not. By the time the plate was clean she still did not get to a conclusion.

Cora sighed.
"Let's put it like this: 'Sad' is...", she stopped and sighed again, "I lost one of my friends. You see the amount of friends I have is...very little. And I feel like it was my fault.", she looked up and smiled weakly, "I don't really understand how you would want to listen to peoples' problems all day long. I get way too bothered by my own and if someone starts talking about theirs in front of me I feel the urge to jump out of a window."
She scratched her head thinking about it, "Guess I am just not really good with people."
Cora grinned, getting back to her usual self. She did not want to bother the gentleman in front of her, she could after all still not believe that that was an actual job done by some people.
"I say we turn it around and you tell me about your problems, I promise that I will not run away and I will genuinely try to listen. Well I will listen, I am not sure if my advice is going to be helpful."

Mikael quietly listened as Cora talked. Her voice had a solid, strong quality to it that easily got the rogue's attention. Maybe she was a dominatrix? Such a voice would come by useful, then.
It seemed the escort was a very busy woman. Apparently, she spent the entire day 'riding'. Mikael was quite uncertain of what she had to 'watch out' for, but in truth he was still naivè in the ways of the body, and was too ashamed to ask.
Mikael was really fascinated to hear about the life of a whore. A whore from the upper lands, that is. The story of those of The Underground was all the same. There was no luxury to it. Here, on the other hand, there were tiers. The redhead before him, for example, was an escort travelling with nobles. Clearly the top of the food chain.

Thinking about all of this was still a bit strange for Mikael, who was sixteen years old (though he appeared older). His own sexual encounters took place a few years prior, and those were the inexperienced thumblings of two teenagers, barely aware of what they were doing and how they were supposed to do it.
Sofia.
His body jolted upright again. He had to stop thinking about her. He couldn't just live in the shadow of his past. That's why he started his life anew, time after time.
Mikael had to get a hold of himself, because the escort asked him a question.

"So let me summarize: You get paid for collecting blackmail against someone? I must say...that is pretty amazing. I wish my job would be that easy." the redhead said, shaking her head from side to side. Her crimson hair followed suit, hypnotizing.
Mikael took another sip of his beer and replied, a thin smile on his lips.
"I mean, we swear an oath of secrecy. These people tell us their deepest fears because they trust us, because we're professional."
But if the price is right, you bet your ass we will spill the beans he thought to himself.
He watched the woman fiddle with the bread on her plate, obviously lost in thought. Perhaps she wanted to get some information? Mikael wasn't certain why a prostitute would even care, but he was listening.
But then... Cora began talking about her sadness.
"I lost one of my friends. You see the amount of friends I have is...very little. And I feel like it was my fault."
Mikael stared at the woman before him, talking to him of a lost friend. Immediately, he thought of dear Alan. It was quite a coincidence that both of them lost someone dear. Unless... It wasn't a coincidence.
Word by word, suspicion stirred in Mikael.
"I don't really understand how you would want to listen to peoples' problems all day long. I get way too bothered by my own and if someone starts talking about theirs in front of me I feel the urge to jump out of a window."

Oh, fuck.
Despite not believing in any particular higher power, young Mikael was not one to believe in coincidence either. The vixen's phrasing was too perfect. She knew. The rogue was filled with dread, certain that his actions finally caught up to him, that he was going to pay the price.
Well, almost certain. He had the slimmest trace of hope that it was indeed just a phrase. He stared at the unknown woman before him with intensity, looking for a sign of knowing in her's. Instead she wasn't even looking at him. She was too busy scratching her head. Perhaps, could it be just an unlucky phrase?
Mikael's heart was beating like crazy. He had to choose. He had to act. Now. This was life and death, freedom and imprisonment.
Like always, Mikael followed his insticts, and right now, they told him to not show anything was out of the ordinary. If there was a glimmer of doubt, he mustn't throw away his disguise. Not again.
The smile disappeared from his face, but he hoped the woman before him would associate that with her story. He was staring at the woman before him, intently.
He forced his posture to look relaxed and normal, forces his legs from jolting up and running. He was Mikael, damnit, and he was the master of charming his way out of anything.

The whore simply smiled back at him. If she caught wind of anything suspicious, she certainly didn't show it.
"I say we turn it around and you tell me about your problems, I promise that I will not run away and I will genuinely try to listen. Well I will listen, I am not sure if my advice is going to be helpful."
Mikael grimaced. Clever girl. Try to throw him off with a subtle statement, then force him to talk about himself. Well, Mikael was not going to fall so easily.
He smiled back, a charming, playful smile.
"Your problem is that you're implying I have any problems to begin with. I'm sorry to disappoint you that my biggest problems are that my wallet weighs too much and I have difficulty walking after I eat." to emphasize, the young blonde took a bite of another strip of bacon.
"What could I possibly complain about? I have fresh air, warm food, and a pretty lass to keep me company." he winked at the escort, praying to nobody in particular that she bought all he said.

"Speaking of, my fair lady," he continued, pausing for a small swig "You haven't told me your name yet. Rude of me to ask without telling you mine, I know, but you are the one who joined my table.
Mikael shifted in his seat, sweat running down his back. If he needed to, he could reach for the fire iron and take a swing before booking it into the forest, but he really hoped he was just being too paranoid.

Cora noticed the subtle expressions he gave off. He was certainly nervous, no doubt about it. He was hiding it well but the way he looked at her...almost as if he was scared. How odd. She had been really friendly, she had not thrown a knife at him, or in fact at anyone today. What a rare day.

He seemed to get even more thrown off by her offer to help him. He apparently knew that it was everything but her strong suit to help people...or did he? Vex suggested that he was just afraid of her extremly good advice and that she would soon take his job. Nec disagreed briefly, he did really not want to talk with Vex right now after all their semi-talkative partner in conversation was rather interesting to Nec.

She raised her eyebrow at his next statement and almost choked on her food.
"Your problem is that you're implying I have any problems to begin with. I'm sorry to disappoint you that my biggest problems are that my wallet weighs too much and I have difficulty walking after I eat."
He did not have any problems? That's certainly not how he behaved after all! If his wallet would weigh this much...why was he here and not in Mitras! He was quite thin, if he would really have enough to eat that he could not walk...it would show, like it always showed with wealthy nobles. Their beergut went all the way down to their knees, he did not even seem to have a single bit. Admittetly he was also covered in quite a thick layer of clothing.
And then...he suddenly winked at her. As if she was some sort of possible love interest. Cora and 'love' in the same sentence? As if. As if! Only if a negotiation was present! She did not even really love herself! Neither did she ever love a single person between the walls!
She was everything but sure how to react to either of his statements. Nec started doubting that he actually understood what they were, but he was too busy watching their conversation to inform Cora properly about it.

Right after he asked for her name the waiter came again and brought her the same food he had.
Cora decided to buy some time before answering.
"Ah! More food! Thank you! Also more beer please, I need it after this week.", she said happily.
"Miss you did not even finish your current one."
"Oh?", she just said and took a look inside her tankard. Indeed! She did not in fact finish her beer.
"Well, I shall fix that.", Cora finished the rest of the beer in one go and put the tankard back on the table, almost slamming it.
"There you go, I may now have another one.", she and the waiter smiled at each other. Cora turned back to the blonde sitting across from her.

"So what did you say? My name?", Cora asked, it was a rethoric question, she did not expect an answer, it just gave her a bit more time, "Lania."
Nec sighed and complained about the creativity of the name.
Cora ignored him and started eating a bit of the bacon. She really did not want to tell him her real name, he might figure out who she was in fact and she really did not need anyone to talk to her about her job right now.

"That was a good choice of you, I guess you come here quite often?", she asked jokingly, not really expecting an answer
"You know...there is no way you can bullshit me into telling me you don't have problems. Everyone has problems! I have problems, the waiter has problems, the mice that I have seen before I entered have problems...the pig you are eating used to have problems...admitetly, but it's not like you are dead, so your problems still exist.", she looked at him, "I guess you just have other problems you can't or won't tell to a complete stranger...or you have lost your ability to think about your own problems if you are busy with the ones of your noble."
Her voice was completly serious, not a single hint that she was joking in it. She took a bit of bacon to eat it but then placed it back on the plate.
"Thinking about it, I am similar to you in that way, I care for my clients' problems as well, just that they are of a different matter. You just care for their psyche and I care for the physical wellbeing. Well...", she grinned, "If I would not be there their psychological well being would also be...uhm. Ruined. In some way.", Cora suddenly stopped talking.
"Oh. I am sorry, I got carried away, I have been taking over the whole conversation! That was quite rude, I do not want you to do your job while you are off duty, it's not like I do mine either right now."

Lania.
When Mikael heard that name, the first thing to pop into his head was once again Captain Alan. After all, it was almost an anagram of the name.
That being said, he was really on edge. He could just be connecting everything to Alan now, making false assumptions and seeing connections where there are none. Mikael hoped it was just that.
Speaking of, learning the redhead's name loosened Mikael up a bit, because he never heard of anyone with a name like that. Not in the MP, nor in Alan's circle of friends (Which, admittedly, he knew almost nothing about). That didn't eliminate the possibility that the woman before him was connected to Alan in some way, but it did even the odds a little.

For a bit, they were quiet. Mikael was warily chewing on his bacon, his eyes peeled for any sudden movement from Lania. She, however, seemed far more preoccupied with her meal than to notice his wariness. He was glad that she found it so tasty. Slowly, he let himself relax.
"That was a good choice of you, I guess you come here quite often?", she asked after another bite. Mikael simply nodded, happily savoring the taste of meat in his mouth.
Then she spoke again. Her tone of voice was different. More serious.
"You know...there is no way you can bullshit me into telling me you don't have problems."
Mikael stopped chewing and stared up. He forced his body to stay relaxed, and his face to remain jovial, but inside his mind he was screaming in panic. She caught onto his bluff.
Lania continued, with every word sending Mikael into a spiral of panic.
"Everyone has problems! I have problems, the waiter has problems, the mice that I have seen before I entered have problems...the pig you are eating used to have problems...admitetly, but it's not like you are dead, so your problems still exist.",
The tall, red haired woman raised her eyes to look at Mikael. He stared back, his gaze just as intense. He couldn't hide the rigidness of his body, the nervousness in his eyes. His body was screaming at him to act now before it was too late, but he was too afraid to do anything.
Disconcerned, Lania continued.
"I guess you just have other problems you can't or won't tell to a complete stranger...or you have lost your ability to think about your own problems if you are busy with the ones of your noble."
Her jovial tone was gone. She was completely serious, and her eyes didn't give away what she was thinking. Mikael even started doubting that she was a whore, because he certainly never met one who acted like Lania. She took a bit of bacon to eat, only to return it to the plate. She was thinking, and Mikael was too afraid to move.
"Thinking about it, I am similar to you in that way, I care for my clients' problems as well, just that they are of a different matter. You just care for their psyche and I care for the physical wellbeing. Well...", the strange woman smiled, "If I would not be there their psychological well being would also be...uhm. Ruined. In some way.",
Mikael's heart thumped like crazy. He had no idea what she was planning to do, and he was watching her every action like a hound. He wasn't enjoying this anymore. It felt less like a chat and more like a game of chess. Whether she was on to him or not, this conversation hit too close to home, and it was driving Mikael nuts.

"Oh. I am sorry, I got carried away, I have been taking over the whole conversation! That was quite rude, I do not want you to do your job while you are off duty, it's not like I do mine either right now."
It seemed Lania noticed his tension and tried to loosen him up again. Mikael should've been relieved but he found it hard to. He was simply too on edge.
He knew he had to get out of this mess, before things got more severe. This could cost him his life, or worse.... It could cost him his freedom.
He had to act. Now. Lania was waiting for a response, a retort, an explanation. Should he strike her? Run straight to the exit? Play it off?
The young rogue opened his mouth to speak, but before he managed to say anything, the bell rang as the tavern's door opened. He looked over his shoulder, and immediately turned his head back to Lania, cursing silently.
At the door were two young Military Policemen. Mikael didn't recognize either of them, but it wasn't hard to assume they would recognize him. There wasn't doubt there. If those people find out he's here, it's over for him.
He looked back at Lania, a meaningful glare in his eyes. She seemed friendly enough, and it wasn't certain that she was one of the bad guys after all. At the moment, she was the only shot Mikael had of making it out alive. It was farfetched, but by this point, anything goes.

"Lania." he said quietly, a determined, somewhat desperate look in his eye "I'd like to hire your services. Right now, if possible."
The disguised rogue prayed that she'd agree. Then, they would make their way quickly to one of the back rooms, hopefully without the MPs paying attention to them. From there, he could apologize and escape through the window. He just hoped that luck would be kind to him, and that it'd do so fast, before the MPs notice him.

Cora watched him carefully, he seemed to only get more nervous with everything she said. Why? She still could not figure it out but as the door bell rang she more or less could guess why. He was hiding from the unicorns! Oh! This made this whole evening so much more interesting! She would have laughed out loud, but...that would have been weird. So she just laughed inside her head, which is technically more weird in general but as noone outside apart from her other two personalities could either see or hear her do that she passed as a fully funcional human being.

He then surprised her by saying that he would hire her services.

Told ya. He knows I am a mercenary.
I will stay silent.
Well, stay silent. I told you! I was right!

Cora finished her beer before standing up and took the rest of the bacon on her plate and then followed him to one of the backrooms.
Once they had entered she closed the door, put the last piece of bacon in her mouth and started chewing on it. Cora started speaking with still bacon in her mouth. Not very aestetic, but it's not like she ever cared about passing as someone with manners.
"Well, I have to say though, I usually do not run away from MPs. Admitedly I don't really like going against them...gets me in too much trouble. If I would have known you were on the run from them I could have just started a bar fight, that's less obvious than sneaking out through a room in the back, they might think I am a prositute or something!", Cora was leaning on the door, listening if anyone came after them. So far she could not hear anything. Before he could reply anything Cora continued her monologue.
"So you wanna get away from those, eh? This atleast makes my evening a bit more fun! There goes my short time of relaxation...but...I do not even know if I understand what relaxing is.", she turned her head towards him, "As you 'hired' my services you shall listen to me.", she chuckled, "I am your superior now...well. Not really. But I care for your physical wellbeing so were you are, will be and everything like that is directed by me."
Cora thought about a plan. She could indeed just start a fight with them...but she did not want to ruin all the interior of this rather nice inn. She could help him out of the window, but that would totally not be suspicious at all, it was still bright outside and if someone saw him it would end up even weirder. The best way was really to get him out the front door... unless they had a backdoor.
Worst case scenario was still them having to get out the front door. In which case all she had to do was distract the MPs. She could always just invite them to a game of playing darts or something, mock them a bit until they agree. Once they were distracted he could get out. Rather boring, but it for sure worked.

"So I have some ideas. Still, you seem like someone that can think. If you have any tell me as well, we can wait."

Mikael's heart beat like a drum in his chest, his eyes glaring fiercely into Lania's. She must've sensed his urgency, because she immediately rose from the table, plate in hand. He mouthed a quick thank you before following suit and leading her to the backrooms. Even though the whole thing took less than 20 seconds, it felt like hours to Mikael. Every single movement he made, every twitch of muscle, he had to force to look natural. He had to fight the urge to turn his head, to see what the Military Policemen were up to. Every instance, he dreaded that a cry of surprise would ring through the air. He was hanging on a thread, so very thin it was almost invisible.
And yet, he kept going. Step by step, movement by movement, he led the mysterious whore across the room and into the backrooms. Immediately when they were out of the MP's vision, Mikael allowed himself to look back in panic, before continuing his way into the room, albeit much faster.
Finally, Lania closed the door behind them, Mikael allowed himself to fall heavily onto a wooden chair and began breathing heavily. Slowly, his heart rate fell from a hard presto to a dim moderato. He looked over at Lania who was still happily munching on bacon. Her behavior was very unlike what Mikael would've imagined of a high-class escort, but then again he'd know full well that things are different than they seem. She stared back at him the way a curious cat looks at a new toy. The readhead began speaking, and Mikael was too worked up to care about her mouth being full of bacon.
"Well, I have to say though, I usually do not run away from MPs. Admitedly I don't really like going against them...gets me in too much trouble. If I would have known you were on the run from them I could have just started a bar fight, that's less obvious than sneaking out through a room in the back, they might think I am a prositute or something!"
Mikael stared befuddled at Lania's back as she listened through the door. She wasn't a prostitute? So what was it about being hired? And riding? Escorting nobles?
Mikael put his fingers on the bridge of his nose, trying to concentrate. This was all too overwhelming, and he needed to focus up in order to get out of here in one piece.
He looked up at the mysterious woman, who was now done checking the door. He was about to ask exactly what it was that Lania did do, but she began talking instead.
"So you wanna get away from those, eh?" Lania began, seemingly oblivious to Mikael's ever-growing confusion "This atleast makes my evening a bit more fun! There goes my short time of relaxation...but...I do not even know if I understand what relaxing is.", the redhead turned her head towards him, "As you 'hired' my services you shall listen to me.", she chuckled, "I am your superior now...well. Not really. But I care for your physical wellbeing so were you are, will be and everything like that is directed by me."

Mikael rose from his chair and began pacing, panic, confusion and anger slowly taking over him. Meanwhile, the mysterious tall lady continued talking.
"So I have some ideas. Still, you seem like someone that can think. If you have any tell me as well, we can wait."
"Okay, wait just a moment." said Mikael, stopping in his tracks and turning his hands towards Lania.
"Those people haven't seen us, or at least registered who I was. If they would have, we should've had them knocking down this door by now. That means they're going about their business here, which likely has nothing to do with me. That means that as long as long as I stay out of their sight, we should be alright. Waiting in this room is just as valid as an approach, but I'm sure you have things to tend to today." he eyed her judgmentally.
"And let's talk about that too for a moment. Quite frankly, 'escort', I have no idea who you are, or what you do. I was fairly certain you were... 'something else', but it seems I was wrong. Sit down, and slowly and simply tell me about you." he gestured to the chair beside him.

Mikael closed his eyes and sighed heavily, then took a deep breath.
"I guess it isn't fair of me to just demand all of this of you so unexpectedly. You must be feeling the same way towards me. Well alright."
Mikael opened his eyes and looked at Lania. He couldn't control himself anymore. He had to talk.
"My name is Mikael. That's it. I don't know my actual age or my last name. I live in a cave a few hours walk from here, but as you can probably tell by the way I dress and talk, I haven't lived in that cave all my life. It's fairly recent, actually. I've been on the run from the MPs for quite some time now, for the simple crime of wanting to be free. I've done things I'm not proud of, but I'm lonely and I'm scared and I just want out of this place."
he glared at Lania, so very desperate, so emotional. It made him sick in retrospect to see how easily he let himself open up and reveal his identity to someone else, but it was hard to live so long without any friends, without anyone to rely on, to talk to, to trust and love and lust. He just wanted to be free. Why was that so hard?

Cora looked at him and nodded, he was right. If they were actually after him right now they would already be running the door down. She locked it, made sure it was not easily opened and then sat down on the floor in front of him. She really did not want to sit on the chair next to him, it would be annoying to turn her head appart from the fact that she was too close for her tastes. Being that close to someone? Only when fighting, or being on a mission, in general: only when she really had to. And right now, she did not, sitting on the floor was just as comfortable.

"My name is Mikael. That's it. I don't know my actual age or my last name. I live in a cave a few hours walk from here, but as you can probably tell by the way I dress and talk, I haven't lived in that cave all my life. It's fairly recent, actually. I've been on the run from the MPs for quite some time now, for the simple crime of wanting to be free. I've done things I'm not proud of, but I'm lonely and I'm scared and I just want out of this place.", he said. He sounded as if he was out of breath, he really got extremly stressed at those MPs. What could he have done? If you were this stressed at the sight of unicorns, killing a simple civilian was not enough, he must have done something quite harmful to one of the more well knowns or higher ups. Cora thought of Alan. He was a higher up, he had been killed. Anger flared up in her but she immediatly stopped herself. He was entertaining her for now, she doubted he had anything to do with Alan. Well, she did not only doubt it, she hoped it. Cora waved that thought away and processed what he had said.
So he lived in a cage, eh? That was adventurous. Certainly interesting. She would not really like it that much...but to each his own, eh?
He also wanted to get out of this place. Out of this place? What did he mean with out of this place? This Inn? The cave? The city? The district? The walls? Odd. She was not sure if she should really ask him.

Cora finished her bacon and sighed, looking first down on the floor and then up again in Mikael's face.
"Let me start like this: I do only have to tend to one thing tonight and that is my horse. Or...not even that, my companions should have cared for it. I damn well hope so, atleast!", Cora grinned but then went back to a serious look, "So no, you are not holding me back in any way. I do not have to be anywhere else tonight. Secondly...given you...have opened up quite a bit to me I can...probably correct one thing I said about myself.", she looked away, "My name is NOT Lania, but Cora. Last name irrelevant, but it's Wolf. If that is my actual one, who knows? I do not care.", she turned her head back towards him, "Do not start panicking about me lying about that, I guess you just fear that I would harm you in any way, esspecially now that I have lied to you. I have no intention to do so now. I do not know you. Never heard of you. Frankly not interested in what you have done.", she was not too sure about the last statement. She was indeed interested and depending on what he had done she would or would not lose interest from that point onwards.

"Why did I tell you a wrong name? I did not want you to panick, and I wanted to have some time alone for me where noone knows me. BUT given that you do most certainly not know who I am...I am a mercenary. Leader of a group called 'the pack'. I hope my whole escort thing makes sense now."

Cora stared at him for a bit. "You know, I was pretty darn sure you immediatly had my occupation figured out. I have to say I am a bit disappointed and curious about what you thought I was.", she tilted her head to the right.

Mikael listened to the redhead speak, calming down in the process. His sapphire-blue eyes glazed at the ground at his feet. When Lania began began talking about herself, Mikael raised his gaze, only to see her turn away.
"My name is NOT Lania, but Cora. Last name irrelevant, but it's Wolf. If that is my actual one, who knows? I do not care."
Cora looked back at Mikael, who stared back in awe, completely speechless. To her, it probably looked like he was just surprised to figure out who she was. And he definitely was surprised, but not in the way she must've expected.

Cora Wolf.
CORA WOLF.
Mikael didn't have Alan's awespiring recollection ability, but he remembered well enough. The mission report, the last mission report he had read. Six people headed to The Underground, to deal with what has become of his brotherhood. One Military Police Captain, three Military Policemen part of his direct team, one Scout and one mercenary. One Cora Wolf.
Cora Wolf couldn't be a common name. This was her. She's been down there, she has seen the people Mikael left behind. She was Captain's Alan friend.
Surprisingly, Mikael didn't begin panicking. Maybe it was because he had told her his real name and the truth of his actions and she didn't immediately kill him? Could it be that she did not know he was connected to The Underground? Or to Alan's untimely demise? It seemed absurd, but it was the only reason he could think of as to how he was still alive.
Quickly, all the pieces fell in place. The death of a friend she was talking about earlier. The whole thing about being 'hired'. She was a mercenary! Of course!
Cora must've noticed his surprised expression, because she immediately said "Do not start panicking about me lying about that, I guess you just fear that I would harm you in any way, esspecially now that I have lied to you. I have no intention to do so now. I do not know you. Never heard of you. Frankly not interested in what you have done."
Mikael sighed a small sigh of relief. Unbelievable. It turned out she didn't know him, after all. Cora continued talking, justifying herself. At the moment, Mikael couldn't be mad at her, at all. Not only has she saved his skin, but he was personally responsible for a huge grievance in her life. It made him sad to think that, to think about all the people affected by Alan's death. That's why he decided to focus instead on what Cora was saying.

"You know, I was pretty darn sure you immediatly had my occupation figured out. I have to say I am a bit disappointed and curious about what you thought I was."
Mikael stared at her blankly for a moment, then laughed a small, delighted laugh.
"Well, 'Cora', you are forgiven, of course. I don't blame you for lying to me. I'm sure one like you needs to be extra cautious. I know that too well." he glanced quickly towards the window, then back to her. "If anything, I'm just grateful for you helping me out like that. Even if it's for a price" he flashed a cheeky smile.
He began pacing across the room once more, this time much more calmly. "In all honesty, the safest way to avoid them would just be to wait it out. That is, I'll just need to wait it out here until they decide to leave. Of course, that means you're basically free to do whatever you like."
Mikael stroked his chin thoughtfully "That being said, I would rather get out of here sooner than later, and eliminate the risk of being spotted. What did you have in mind?"
He gestured and turned back to Cora, a confident smirk on his face.

Cora nodded, exagerating it as if she was indeed a very imporant person that constantly had to be cautious. Well. She HAD to be cautious. She just...she usually did not care about whether or not people knew her name. Most of the time people did not hear of her anyway so it did not even matter. People in this universe anyhow seemed to be quite forgetful when it came to names, after all...Cora had no idea what the King or Queen were called by last name! Let alone first name! They could very well not exist, she had not seen them ever, she did not even know their names. Maybe it was all just a scheme to keep the public under control by...she stopped herself, she had no idea where she was going with this and she doubted that it was anyhow relevant or related to her current situation.

Cora noticed him taking a peek at the window. Of course he would like to leave through that, he seemed like a very window-related person in that regard. No way out? Window!
She giggled quietly at her own thoughts, the alcohol was starting to show a bit with her getting a bit more silly and easily amused.
"Oh? Price? Nah, I am good right now. I am really quite happy, got food, got some action. Guess I can't do that 'relaxing' thing after all. How does that work even?", she chuckled but then looked at Mikael with a serious face.
"I am completly honest, I doubt I can actually do that.", she scratched her head, "Oh well. You asked something? What I have in mind? For getting you out of here faster?"

Cora raised her eyebrows and stared at her own feet, thinking about the situation. "I will be honest. You seem to have a...personal relationship with those windows there. Very inclined to escape through them, eh? Fine, fine, I mean...totally not obvious if there is anyone out there, but hey, we can try. Otherwise, bar fights are good.", she frowned, "I have been in too many bar fights with rather odd...survey corps members. Really really easy to startle those. Really easy. Keep away from them.", Cora chuckled again.
"If you really wanna leave, let me go first, I think I should catch you. You being one of those 'mindy' people and all", Cora motioned the quotation marks in the air, "You probably will break your ankles or something."
She put a hand in front of her mouth, "Dammit. I did it again. I am sorry for talking so much, I am usually not like this, but I had quite a bit of alcohol on a rather empty stomach."

Mikael stared at Cora as she spoke, a thin smile stretched across his lips. It was all but he could do, to not give away his tension. His every step must be calculated, his every choice weighed. If Cora Wolf were to find out he was the one to kill her friend Alan, it'll be the hang-rope for sure.
It was almost fate, the way she was 'testing' him by commenting about windows. Well, if she was oblivious to it, so would Mikael be.

The rogue silently crossed his arms as the mercenary spoke. "If you really wanna leave, let me go first, I think I should catch you. You being one of those 'mindy' people and all", Cora motioned the quotation marks in the air, "You probably will break your ankles or something."
Mikael allowed himself to frown at that remark, but did so playfully, still with a smile on his face. The redhead seemed to have noticed her slip-up and covered her mouth. "Dammit. I did it again. I am sorry for talking so much, I am usually not like this, but I had quite a bit of alcohol on a rather empty stomach."
Mikael laughed a little, a cheshire grin splattered across his face "No no no, it's fine. If anything, that's a compliment. I have been trying to look like the intellectual type, so all you're really saying is that my disguise work is good."
Mikael's grin faded a bit. He wanted to correct Cora on her assumption that he's weak, but if she ever were to become his enemy, a false assumption such as Wolf's could save his life. And so, he held his tongue and spoke no words.
Only for a bit.
"Well, I do like the idea of window-jumping. Pretty exciting, could make me feel like one of those soldier types." he giggled, edging closer to the window and looking down.

It wasn't a long drop. Unless you were trying to, you probably couldn't break a bone from a fall like that. Still, with a tall, redheaded mercenary to help him out, why not take the safe approach?
Mikael looked around, left and right. There was some grass all over, a tree-line a few meters away, and that's about it. As with most areas of the village, this area was barren of people.
"Coast's clear." he announced, reeling back from the window and stepping to the side, gesturing overdramatically with a sly smile on his face "Ladies first?"

Cora just smiled at his remarks about wanting to look more intellectual. Wanting to look more like that? Odd. Okay. Esspecially given his smile changed a bit. She decided to ignore it for now, Nec did not. It was his job after all to remember stuff, not hers, right?
'Those soldier types', Nec did not like the way he talked much. He seemed to hide too much.

Cora did not care, she was having fun right now and she did not want to be stopped.
She stood up and held onto the wall, she was slightly dizzy. This was going to be fun. Cora giggled.
"Uh man. I hope I can catch you. I hope I can catch myself!", she said half loud as she went towards the window and swung her legs over the border.
She stared down. Mh. A bit much. Or was it?
Vex disagreed vehemently. Anything that would not automatically kill you was not ever to be considered 'too high'.
"Shut up, this is not good, you know how much trouble that always gets us in!", she answered to his complaints unaware she was actually saying it out loud.
Vex scoffed.

Cora jumped down and rolled over to decrease the chances of her breaking or hurting herself.
Once she was on her feet again she almost fell over.
"UhhH! We should really not drink this much and then do things!", she said quietly and giggled.

She turned around and held her hands out for Mikael.
"Go on, my fair lady! I shall watch out for you!", her voice was as cheerful as ever and a wide grin appeared on her face.

If he would jump down and actually take her offer to catch him she would do so but tumble backwards and fall on her ass, still successfully stopping him from recieving any harm but with him sitting on her lap.
If he would decide to jump on his own she would just stare at him disappointingly.

Mikael questioned his own judgement when he saw the intoxicated Cora struggle to get herself to the windowsill. Professional mercenary or not, she seemed to be rather drunk, which could impair her ability to catch him. The rogue hoped that she was like the stereotypical hard-boiled mercenary, who could take a few pints just like he could take a few hits.

Mikael watched silently as Cora flung herself to the ground. The Wolf jumped down, and performed an almost-elegant landing. Mikael was impressed. Cora really did know what she was doing. She turned around, grinning from ear to ear and red-faced, probably because of the drinks.
"Go on, my fair lady! I shall watch out for you!" she yelled up, seemingly amused by the whole scenario. Mikael couldn't blame her. This was bizarre.
Slowly, he approached the window, looking down once more. A wiser, more responsible person would've considered the whole ordeal, letting a drunkard catch him and all, but Mikael was not known for his patience. Smiling with a wild, jovial glee, he ran up and jumped out of the window.
"Catch me!" he called, laughing as he flew through the air. For a moment, just a brief, desperate moment, he felt truly free, the same way he did when he first left The Underground. However, this moment soon came to pass. The ground raced up to meet him, but Cora was faster and soon her arms were around him.

The tall mercenary caught him with both her hands, to Mikael's relief, but she was less stable than he would have liked. As if to damped the fall recoil, she reeled back and soon they rolled back onto the grass, Mikael cradled in Cora's lap like a well-behaved puppy.
For that split second, Mikael felt the heat coming off the mercenary's muscular body, the alcohol-stained breath that escaped her laughing mouth. It has been so long since a girl has touched him, or held him this close. He could smell the sweat and the crunched-up grass and the clean air. It felt good. It felt right.

Sofia.
The happy time was over. Mikael shuddered and rolled off, smiling nervously. "Enough of that now..." he muttered, apologetically looking down as he rose and brushed the grass off his pants.
"Nice catch!" he smiled broadly as he offered his hand to Cora, still on the ground.
He looked around while doing that. Thankfully, the coast was clear, and not a person was in sight. The mercenary truly had saved him. He could keep this identity, of the well-spoken psychologist, for now.

Cora gladly took his hand, grabbing it a bit harder than she had wanted to.
She stood up with his help and stared at him, "Sorry for dropping onto the ground. I usually don't do that."

She looked around as well, noone in sight. Good. She scratched her head and stared at Mikael.
"Short question though...why the hell are MPs out here? You must have really bothered them alot if they should come searching for you this far away from their safe haven.", she looked around. Her question was more rethorical and she did not expect an answer from him. Nec did, she did not.
"What do you want to do now, eh? I am all hyped up for...some more action!", she chuckled quietly, "Ah, man, I owe you something you made my evening enjoyable! Otherwise...who knows, drinking away sorrows is certainly not a good...way to spend your evening."
She really hoped he would get her to do something else as well, she did not want to be alone. She really did not want to be alone at all, she would only think about Alan. And...she would not be able to bear that, or more specifically, her liver would not. And all the other possible victims of her drunken rage if anyone should piss her off.

Cora just stared at him. Something...something reminded her of Alan, but she could not tell what. They were not really too similar after all! Alan's hair was black, Mikael's was blonde, perhaps a similar shade to what she would have naturally. Their eyes were...oddly similar. Mikael's blue, like the sky on a warm day while Alan's were more like the sky right before a thunderstorm. They were of a different height, the Ex-Captain was a good head shorter than Cora while the young man in front of her was somewhere in between the height of both of them. She just continued staring at Mikael in front of her, trying to find the similarity she somehow saw between them, but she could not pinpoint it. Was it...their behaviour? No...or...Cora finally blinked and looked away. She decided it was best to not talk about her staring at him and just pretend it never happened. Yeap. That's what they would go with. Not talking about it. Always worked. Bury everything, and if it's too much for one hole, make another. And another. And another. Simple but effective.

"Aaaaanywayyyy...", Cora finally said and looked back at Mikael, though only briefly to not unsettle him more than she probably already had, "What will you do? And can I join? Please?"

Mikael helped Cora up from the ground. He was rather surprised by the sweaty, tight grip of the mercenary. It felt violent, wild... But as was to be expected of a drunken hulk of a woman.
"Short question though...why the hell are MPs out here? You must have really bothered them alot if they should come searching for you this far away from their safe haven.", the redhead asked as she looked around. Mikael watched her with a cool gaze, the gears in his head turning.

Now that he knew for certain that Cora met Alan and was involved with him, he had to tread carefully. Whatever he did do, he needed to make sure she could not trace it back to the terrible person who killed Alan Katlewande. He has witnessed her strength firsthand, as well as her erratic nature, and less-than-healthy mind. She wouldn't hesitate to strangle him to death if she realized who he really was.
And yet, she also made a powerful ally... And nice company. Mikael really liked her. He wished he didn't have anything to hide, so he could just be her friend without worrying all the time.

For now, playing dumb and lowkey would be enough. Mikael simply shrugged in response to Cora's question. "I dunno. I don't think they're here because of me, they're probably just on their way someplace else."
Cora turned her head back to him, eyes gleaming in excitement.
"What do you want to do now, eh? I am all hyped up for...some more action!", she chuckled quietly, "Ah, man, I owe you something you made my evening enjoyable! Otherwise...who knows, drinking away sorrows is certainly not a good...way to spend your evening."
The rogue flashed a smile back "I think I owe you something, not the other way around. YOU saved ME, after all. Thank you for that."
Mikael thought of what to do with the hyper girl in front of him. He wanted nothing more at the moment than to hang out with her, but every second he was afraid she's notice something was off and connect the dots.
Speaking of which...

Cora began staring at him. At first he pretended not to notice, as if he had his attention on something else, like if someone was approaching around the building, but moments passed and Cora remained fixiated on him. Mikael became nervous. Did she realize something? Did he say something off? Mikael tried to remember what he just said, but he was too paniced to remember properly.
Moments passed, slowly and painfully. He couldn't help but stare back at her now, smiling nervously. "Is something the matter? What'cha looking at?" he asked, trying to sound friendly and not-at-all paranoid.
Cora finally blinked and looked away. Mikael gave a silent sigh of relief. She really tensed him up back there. It was an unpleasant reminder of how... Fragile the mercenary's mind was. Perhaps she was too unpredictable for Mikael to rely on her?
"Aaaaanywayyyy...", Cora finally said and glimpsed back at Mikael, looking slightly embarrassed "What will you do? And can I join? Please?"
Mikael adjusted his jacket as he thought. He should probably head back home... But was it safe for him to show Cora where he lived? If things got bad between them, she'd be able to kill him in his sleep.
...that being said, Mikael didn't plan to stay here for long, and he had good hopes for Cora.

He walked a few steps and then turned back to Cora, gesturing to her to come walk with him.
"I think I'll head home and lay low for today. Don't need any more confrontations."
He smirked grimly as he continued talking "You're more than welcome to tag along if you wanna see a cave in the middle of a forest. It's actually pretty beautiful there, despite being extremely remote and generally inhospitable."
He looked back at Cora, his eyes amiable.
"So would you like to tag along? Or do you have a better idea?"

A wide smile appeared on Cora's face as he invited her to come to his....cave. Well, what else did she expect from someone that was on the run from the military police? A fancy house? That would be hard...quite hard...unless he would be able to somehow change his facial features. Sadly Cora could not really help in that regard, she had never heard of anyone changing anyone elses' face...even though there were some doctors rather skilled at fixing up your face if you scars from various fight related occassions.

"Of course I would like to follow you!", she stopped talking, "Should I be worried that you are leading a 'Lady' like me into a forest all alone? I am also alcohol intoxicated!", she chuckled and looked at him happily. Atleast this evening was going rather great! Not too much drinking... a small adventure...great!

"Also, no, I do not have better ideas. Just please. No horses. I love animals but I can't ride anymore. It is going on my nerves...heavily as well.", she looked at him. Again, just shortly. She was pretty sure she weirded him out a bit too much before. Should she say something? Would that make it better? Or...worse? Or would it not change anything at all. Should she say sorry?
But...she just stared at the ground floor. Why did he remind her of Alan....she had to stop thinking about his death...she had to stop blaming herself. She really had to.

"Where are you from?", she bursted out suddenly, atleat this would keep her occupied a bit. Listening to him, asking him questions...that was a good idea for the moment.

Mikael smiled as Cora announced her intentions to join him. His was an awfully lonely life at the moment, and those who befriended him usually didn't stick around for very long. Cora's company, even for an evening, was a welcomed endeavor.
"Should I be worried that you are leading a 'Lady' like me into a forest all alone? I am also alcohol intoxicated!" the giantess asked, chuckling. Mikael grinned in response. Even with his experience, he doubted he could go toe-to-toe with Cora Wolf, much less take advantage of her. The very idea made him laugh aloud. "Of course you should be worried!" he replied, smiling sarcastically "Can't you see how dangerous I am when my ankles aren't broken?"

The rogue began walking into the woods, taking a shortcut to his cave-home. The path was less comely than the main road, but it was far quicker and also promised far less Policemen. He eyed Cora as she spoke of horses and animals. "Remind me to not show you the traps I've scattered around my camp." he said in a jokey tone, but in truth he was quite serious. He had 7 traps of sorts positioned in different areas around the cave. It usually promised Mikael a healthy meal and extra cash, and it also increased the general safety of the area. The sight of dead animals was practically ordinary for Mikael, who grew up eating whatever could be found that wasn't human, but he guessed others might find the sight rather more squeamish.

The couple continued walking for a few minutes. By then the trees were very much around them, shading them from the weary sun and filling the air with a serene, natural aroma. It was 100% different from The Underground, and Mikael loved every single part of it.
Speaking of The Underground...
The redhead turned to him suddenly, asking "Where are you from?" with an awkward glare in her eyes. Of course, Mikael couldn't tell her the truth. She's been with Alan to The Underground, and he shouldn't give her anything else that she might link to Alan's killer. Luckily for him, he already thought of a response, a foolproof one that may raise further questions, but cannot be denied.
"I...." Mikael paused, brushing his golden curls behind his ears "I'm from Shiganshina."
He paused for a moment, methodically letting his words sink in. He was an expert liar by now, having to lie through most of his life. "Grew up there in some poor district. As you probably know, the..." Mikael shifted his gaze, as if it pained him to remember "...titans took that from us, along with everything else. I lost everyone in my life when the walls fell, and yet I somehow found myself alive when it was all over, on a ship leaving that hell behind. Life was hard, but the King handed out rations, so it was easy enough to live, I guess. From there... it was easier to get into... less legitimate occupations, but it's not like I had much of a choice."

He turned to Cora, his usually jovial face now uncharacteristically stern and grim. "You must have a story yourself, if you're a mercenary. People don't end up like that by accident, especially girls. So what's your story?" he asked, shifting his hands into his jacket's pockets and staring at his feet. He was fairly certain he made a very convincing show of his false backstory. Many things could be said about Mikael, but probably the chief among them was that he was simply good at making people believe things.