“You know… We really should tell each other our names.”

It’d been several weeks since the fight had broken out in the tavern, and we’d set our plan into motion. We’d agreed upon a believable story, and began gathering materials and such to better cover ourselves. Once the young man had acquired the proper clothing befitting the son of a lesser lord, color changing eye tonic, and a golden dye for his brown locks, it’d been my turn. One night I had my long brown hair and entirely black eyes, the next I had slightly longer light gold tresses and deep emerald green eyes. It had been highly amusing to see his reaction. After buying the clothing appropriate for my disguise, we left, approaching the capital. Before entering said capital we stopped in the middle of a dense forest, opting to change there instead of in the city.

The young man now stood against a rather large tree with graying bark, his arms crossed as he spoke nonchalantly. “I’m having a hard time figuring out what to call you.”

“Did you ever think that there was a reason for that?” I responded testily, audibly struggling to properly pull on my disguise. Before actually changing, I’d refused to remove any article of clothing with him able to wander. The resolution was for me to change behind the very tree he leaned against. Feeling a seam snap, I cursed softly, forcing myself to slow my pace.

“You all right back there?” He asked curiously.

“I’m fine…” I grumbled, hearing him shift as I tried to adjust the blouse without ripping it. “This thing’s just…pissing me off…” A few more seams snapped at the pressure, and I cursed once again.

Deep chuckling rumbled from behind the tree. “I didn’t expect you to have such a colorful vocabulary.”

I didn’t respond, too engrossed in my task to care. This always looks so easy in the movies! No wonder they always need more than one person!!

“As to your previous question, yes, I have thought about it. I respect your privacy, which is why I haven’t insisted.” He continued with a small sigh. “Still, I wish I could call you something instead of nothing at all…” He trailed off pensively.

A large branch shifted and rolled out from beneath my foot, slamming me against the tree. With an aggravated growl, I savagely kicked it away from me, swearing colorfully as it soared away and vanished amongst the foliage. Still mildly annoyed, I continued to curse under my breath as I made the last few adjustments to my disguise.

Once more, I heard his deep chuckling come from behind the tree. “If it’s such a hassle, why do you feel the need to wear that?”

Stepping out from behind the tree with a resigned expression, I walked up to him, my normal clothes folded and draped over my crossed arms. “Because, unfortunately, it’s the only way to get into the palace and to Maldrek.” Ignoring his amused stare, I thrust my clothes into his arms and turned around. With a soft sigh, I point a thumb over my shoulder, indicating the untied and loosely hanging thin ivory laces that trailed down my back. “Now, could you help me tighten this thing? I’d’ve done it myself, but I can’t reach…”