TW: Implied SA

  Remora gasped, crying out a "no!" as she leaped a few steps forward towards the tumbling ring. The only indication of its existence was the sound of it tanging against the ground as it fled into the fog and the nighttime, before it inevitebly went silent again. She stopped a couple feet away from Marina, staring disheartenedly down the paved hill. She whipped back around to Marina, a sudden fury in her eyes.

  "Why would you DO that?!?!" She gestured down the hill. Marina staggered back from the sudden aggression, her eyes widening in fear as well in a mix of anger.

  "It's useless to me! It could sink to the very bottom of the ocean for all I care!" Marina excims. It was the first time Remora heard her without such a meek attitude. Aha... there was the privileged, spoiled girl she was looking for...

  "Are you kidding me? The cost of that ring alone... it'd probably sell for enough to feed this entire town for a month!" Remora stormed towards her. Marina backed up, her heart racing once again.

  "Is THIS what this is about!? You weren't actually trying to help me, were you? Perhaps my father was right about you townsfolk... Just greedy to take what isn't yours!" Marina finally stopped to stand her ground, her face turning hot. Remora scoffed.

  "Oh, so WE'RE the greedy ones? That is rich coming from YOU, Princess!" Remora snarled. "Oh, I'm SO sorry I'm thinking about the suffering of YOUR people...! Because what would YOU know about suffering, hm...?" Remora pressed her finger against Marina's chest. "You live all high and mighty, allowing your servants to pamper you all day long before you spend such tiring days sitting on your asses making half-minded decisions for the people who work DAY and NIGHT to keep this kingdom afloat, half of them scraping by to be able to get a decent meal once in a while... and forget about any of us having DREAMS of a more prosperous future!" Remora hissed in her face. Marina's cheeks were red from embarrassment and rage, and after the day she's had she was tired of this peasant rambling on about something she knew nothing about.

  "Dreams!? What would YOU know about dreams!? You all are free to live the lives you want! To become anything you desire! You really think I'M the one who has a say in any of our policies? You really think I'M influencing any power here? My job is to present myself like I'm a god damned object! I'm a bargaining chip! And I was that from the DAY I WAS BORN! I don't get ANY say in the life I lead!" Marina barked back, unable to help the tears from forming in her eyes again.

  "Oh nooo, you get to marry the handsomest man in the kingdom and live off his profit, whatever will you dooo...?" Remora mocked dramatically, raising her arm like she were to faint. "You all are just the same. Greedy, spoiled, and pompous. I don't know why on earth I risked my hide for your sake! I oughta just turn you in and get the reward... then at least you'll finally be useful." Remora stepped towards her in an attempt at intimidation. Marina felt her hackles raise at her words.

  "You know nothing of Prince Camaro..." A deadly fire lit in her eyes as a shadow cast over her expression. "I thought you'd understand. No one in this world gets prosperity but THEM!" She points towards the castle. "You really think I'd get to just comfortably y around being bound to that man? The only time I'd be id would be against my will, Remora!" The words escaped her with bitter agony, her voice not as harsh as she wanted it to be as she began to weep again.

  Remora froze in pce at that, like an icicle pierced her through her chest. Marina stared at her, wide-eyed, remaining pnted as the silence hovered deafeningly around them. It was soon broken by the sounds of guards.

  "This way!" One called, the echoes of horse's hooves reverberating off the walls and buildings that surrounded the road, their shadows drawing rapidly closer. Marina turned with a gasp, her body too achey and tired, her feet too battered and frozen to move. This was it... She blew it. She blew her only chance at freedom. She cmped her eyes shut and stood in pce, awaiting the jaws of her fate to lock in around her.

  However, instead of jaws, she felt the sudden warmth of someone's hand grab hers, pulling her off the street and into another alleyway. She was thrust against a wall, the air in her lungs rushing out of her in a short burst. She was about to protest when she suddenly felt something press against her. When she opened her eyes she was met with Remora's face near hers, pressing close like she were trying to meld themselves to the wall. The same warm scent of vanil and sandalwood from the overcoat Remora gave her flooded her senses. Time seemed to freeze as Remora held her there in the dense shadows, their only hope at cover. The thundering of approaching horse's hooves couldn't match the hammering of her heartbeat in Marina's ears. Remora pulled her down a little more as they grew closer, using her own body as a shield, Marina responding by clutching the colr area of Remora's shirt as a brace. Remora prayed to any god or deity out there to keep them hidden. Marina sucked in her breath, the remnants of Remora's fragrance joining the trapped air in her chest. They both cmped their eyes shut, waiting for what felt like an eternity for the outcome of their fates. Eventually, the seconds renewed, and the thundering came upon them, before quickly dissolving into the distance. They had missed them. Just barely.

  Remora turned her head, peering out onto the street to listen for any other danger, the sounds of distant shouts and orders echoing through the fog. Marina opened her eyes, fixated on the woman's face before hers. She could make out small details, like freckles just below her eyes that were a light brown like milk chocote or the bark of a scotch pine tree. Her skin was much tanner than Marina's. She had a plump face, her features harmonious, a softly curved nose, and lips the color of a ripening strawberry. Marina would argue that these observations made her heart race from jealousy... Remora had a natural beauty that was feminine, where Marina would often be discouraged by the reflection of her described masculine features, her squarer, angur jawline, her sharper nose, her thinner lips... although she'd never admit that her arguments wouldn't be the total truth. She suddenly felt feverish in her cheeks and ears and the tightness of her throat closing as she processed the sight and proximity, as well as what Remora had just done for her even after their quarrel. It must've been embarrassment... the only reason for these sensations and reactions.

  Remora huffed as her adrenaline simmered down, deciding the coast was clear. She turned her gaze back to Marina, seeing her wide-eyed expression. Her brain was finally catching up to her as the scent of some expensive floral aroma like gardenias hit her senses... the clean, refreshening smell matching the calming blue of Marina's otherwise uncalm eyes. Remora realized she was practically pinning the poor thing to the wall in her action to keep them hidden from the guards, their chests pressed together, their breaths mingling. She cleared her throat and slowly took a step back, Marina's hands instinctively releasing her colr.

  "You okay?" Her voice was soft but still a bit rough and bitter from the shouting match they entered earlier, her eyes trying to present indifference. Marina took a few moments to regain her composure, dusting off her insalvagable dress as light fluster dusted her pale face. Marina felt her legs grow weak, perhaps from the adrenaline wearing off again, perhaps the ache in her feet... perhaps another reason entirely.

  "I... I don't..." Her voice faltered as sunk down to the ground, trembling. Remora's eyes followed her down, the girl's words from earlier ringing in her head... "being id against her will"... She's heard of the malicious behaviors of tyrants from stories of the past her caretaker read to her when she was little. Although, it was always politically based, tales of w and justice, of wars between kings, princes being spawns of evil... but never are tales of women in royalty ever told unless the tyranny was from a queen. Violence against women in royalty... it seemed a little farfetched at first to Remora... but the look in Marina's eyes told her another story.

  Remora crouched down before her, her eyes softening. She felt her throat suddenly grow dry and a sinking feeling in her chest... like... guilt...? She internally scolded herself for feeling such a way for someone from a css that showed no care or priority for its citizens. But now was not the time... even if she regretted this ter.

  "I'm sorry..." Remora murmured to her. "I was wrong... about what I said to you... I got carried away and-" She was swiftly cut off as Marina reached out to her, pulling her into a desperate embrace. Remora let out a small "oh!" as she was suddenly thrust into the girl's arms. She blinked as she felt Marina's arms coil around her, her body shaking as she buried her face into Remora's shoulder.

  "I'm sorry for yelling, please don't leave... Please..." She begged against her clothes in a whisper. At this point, she felt like she had no more water to let out, but her body still hiccuped and shook in another attempt to cry. Remora felt that gardenia aroma flood against her senses again, taking a moment to hesitate before slowly returning the embrace.

  "I won't... I'm sorry I didn't realize that..." She pulled back to expin herself, until she noticed the exhausted look in Marina's eyes, causing her words to trail off. Perhaps it was still too touchy a subject... Remora sighed and brushed a few strands of hair out of the princess's face.

  "Come on... let's just get you off the streets and out of those clothes... We aren't far now..." Remora offered, a gentle smile returning to her lips. She rose and offered a hand to her.

  Marina nodded and took her hand, trying to stand up. She hissed through her teeth as a sharp pain hit her feet again, causing her to falter for a moment. Remora's expression turned to concern as she looked down, seeing the swelling and bruising getting worse. She looked back up at Marina and sighed, turning her back.

  "Alright... Get on." She tilted her head, stretching her neck a little.

  "W-what...?" Marina blinked, her eyes widening.

  "Get on my back, I'll carry you the rest of the way. You're in no condition to be walking anymore." Remora crified. Marina blinked again. It was absurd to her, such a thing... She remembered her father carrying her on his shoulders when she was very little and that was the only time someone would carry her like that, and even then, that was a long time ago...

  "I... I don't..." Marina attempted to protest.

  "Listen, princess, I'm hungry, I'm tired, I reek of beer, and it's cold. This way, we're gonna get home a lot faster. Now come on." Remora turned her head back to face away from her, not leaving room to argue. Marina swallowed a nervous lump in her throat, but ultimately stepped forward, gingerly pcing her hands on Remora's shoulders. Remora crouched a little to brace. Marina hardened her expression to hop up on her shoulders, but didn't quite commit, leaving Remora to have to strain to help her up, letting out a small groan.

  Remora adjusted, situating her and wrapping her arms more tightly under Marina's legs. Marina let out a short yelp as Remora lifted her further up, forcing her arms to fall around her colr area to bance herself.

  "I'm not heavy...?" Marina's voice shook with fear. Remora smirked.

  "Light as a feather, honey." Marina blushed as she felt Remora's arms secure around her legs better, and she could feel just how broad Remora's shoulders were for a dy. Remora checked the corners of the alleyway that met the path to the road, and seeing it was clear, stepped out.

  "Please don't drop me..." Marina couldn't help but clutch at Remora's clothes a little as they began to move up the street, the rhythmic steps of her carrier swaying her a little. Remora snorted.

  "Rex, your highness." She teased in return. She could see the roof of her cottage just up the road, her breaths coming in smaller, quicker pants with each step, though she reserved herself to hide it from Marina.

  Marina's muscles slowly began to loosen, her body rexing and slumping against Remora's as she was carried. The ache in her feet already felt a thousand times better. And this peasant... she smelled... good... which contradicted the reservations she had of the townsfolk for years. She felt her heartbeat slow with her breaths, and eventually, she rested her head against her arm that was wrapped around the young woman. She let her eyes flutter closed for a moment, and for a moment... she felt safe.