"Honestly, couldn't you have worn something nicer? We're trying to make a good impression."
Castor blinked and glanced down at his outfit, a coat the color of charcoal with simple brass buttons and a weathered belt that held his rapier. His worn brown boots had obviously seen plenty of use, sporting a layer of caked dust that nearly reached his ankles. He thought he looked fine compared to some of the people that inhabited the streets that particular morning.
The half-elf who walked at his side, on the other hand, was draped in earth toned robes of chocolate, ivory, and gold, gathered at his tiny waist with a white braid that was intricately knotted on one hip. A black high-collared dress shirt peeked out from where the robes fell open along his sharp collarbone, masterfully stitched with gold thread in majestic patterns that snaked across the silk. The man's pointed ears were obscured beneath the drawn hood from under which he observed the town of Myrken and the looming meetinghouse with his visible eye, violet and flat with what most probably assumed was disdain; Castor had learned in the short time he had known Michta that the half-elf's facial expression was carefully guarded at all times, betraying nothing of what he felt.
"We're meeting with a town official or two, not attending the royal ball." the swordsman quipped, plucking a piece of lint from his shoulder before the other noticed its offensive presence. "Did you have time to powder your nose before we left?"
The blonde sniffed daintily. "I imagine your rapier wit makes you quite popular with the unfortunate women who flock to you back home, but I'm sure the good people of Myrken are this very moment wondering who you stole that fancy sword from."
Castor huffed. "Look, I'll be sure to dress the part of nobility in the near future. We're five feet from our destination, and we aren't turning around just so you can you can wrap me in finery." His voice dropped to a mumble. "What are you, my wife?"
"Gracious me, no. I find that I'm lacking in the infinite patience that is required to fill the position."
There was a beat of silence while the human digested this.
"Are you always this unpleasant, or just when your in the company of others?" the man wondered, honestly curious.
"The official with whom we will meet with is none other than the Lady Egris, a somewhat renowned swordswoman and Myrkentown's very own Lady Warden." the half-elf pressed on, ignoring his companion.
"But why her? Why not the mayor?"
"My dear Castor, does the word "swordswoman" mean nothing to you?"
"What's your point, elfling?"
"She is a woman of action. An official behind a desk who wishes to discuss the options at hand won't be of any help in this situation. We need her cooperation in this matter to quickly and quietly deal with the Bloodletters."
Castor glanced doubtfully at him. "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but nothing about your wardrobe is 'quiet'."
"Some risks are worth taking." the other said, almost passionately.
......................................................................................................................................................................
The door shut loudly behind them, the cold of the outdoors fading gradually as the warmth that wafted through the meetinghouse surrounded them. A middle-aged woman, most likely a secretary, glanced up from the ledger she was writing in, the scratching of her quill coming to a slow stop. She blinked.
"We've come to request an audience with the Lady Egris Verreaux." Michta offered.
She glanced down at something on the desk, her eyes scanning the length of something. After a moment, her gaze returned to the two across from her, giving them a tiny smile. "Of course. If you would like to wait in the parlor, I'll inform her right away, miss."
She turned and left the room as Michta did his absolute best to ignore the barely suppressed laughter of his companion, leaving the swordsman at the door to go and perch himself primly on a cushioned seat in the parlor, next to a warm hearth, snickers following in his wake.