Arabian Nights

Chapter 8

"What do you do at the palace?" Roman asked. "What's the prince like? Is he nice? Is the Sultan?!"

"If you'd let me get a word in-" Virgil said before cutting himself off. Roman laughed. Virgil smiled and lowered his eyes, turning his ring round his finger. It was so strange. Here he was, talking to a wanted thief who'd just stolen from him (albeit briefly) when really he should be getting back to Janus.

"Let Janus wait," a small rebellious voice spoke up. "He's probably off having the time of his life. You deserve that too."

Virgil had to agree.

"What're you plannin' to do with the ring?" Roman's question pulled Virgil out of his own mind. "It'd fetch a pretty price."

Virgil shrugged. "I'd rather not lose my head," he admitted.

"Keepin' it will ensure that, querido," Roman said. Virgil laughed in surprise.

"What did you just call me?" He asked, turning his head towards Roman. Roman shrugged and grinned at him and held out a hand.

"You'll want help gettin' over this next bit," he said as way of answering. Virgil glanced down at his feet and realised he hadn't been watching where he was going. He and Roman had gotten right to the edge of the roof. There was a thin bar of wood balanced between the roof of this building and the one next to it.

Virgil swallowed and glanced up at Roman. Roman shrugged.

"We could try and jump it," he said. "But I can barely make it on a good day, so-"

Virgil didn't let him finish before he took a running leap onto the wooden beam. It wobbled and he screamed, holding out his arms to balance. It stilled. Virgil laughed shakily.

Carefully, he shuffled along the beam and jumped down onto the roof opposite. He turned to look for Roman.

Roman was crouched by the beam, still holding it steady. He caught Virgil watching him and ducked his head. He stood up and made his own way across the bar.

"Wasn't gonna exactly let you fall," he mumbled. A beam of bright golden light shot up into the air and exploded. Virgil could see Roman was blushing.

"Why not?" Virgil asked. He took a step towards the thief. "That would mean I'd be out of your way. You could rob me blind, then."

Roman blinked and stared down at him. He swallowed. "Yeah, um, well..." He took a step back and tripped over thin air. Virgil's eyes widened and he grabbed Roman's hand.

"Careful!"

Roman glanced over the edge of the roof. "I think I'm okay, querido," he said, using Virgil's hand to pull himself back up.

"What does that mean?" Virgil asked. Roman shrugged.

"You've got your unexplained nickname," he said, "let me have mine."

Virgil felt himself start to smile when another beam of light shot up into the air. This one was bright pink.

"God, the fireworks!" He yelled suddenly. He dropped Roman's hand and ran to the edge of the roof. He stared out towards the square, where a huge crowd had gathered around the fireworks.

He'd never get there in time! Dammit!

Well, maybe...

Virgil took a few steps back and got ready to try and jump across the roof. Just as he was about to go, someone grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

"If you wanna see the fireworks, you don't wanna go that way," Roman said. He glanced down at Virgil. "Square'll be crawlin' with guards, anyway. C'mon," he nudged Virgil along, "I know the best spot in all Agrabah. We'll go there."

He let go of Virgil's hand and headed to another side of the roof. Virgil hung back.

Realising Virgil wasn't with him, Roman turned back. "C'mon!" he called. Virgil shrugged. "What, Virge, don't you trust me?"

"Should I?"

Roman shrugged and grinned again. "Up to you, I guess."

Virgil swallowed. Even if he didn't trust him, he wanted to follow Roman. God, he wanted to follow that smile to the edge of the Earth.

"I don't," Virgil said flatly, pulling himself together quickly. He walked to stand beside Roman and stared out at the roofs beyond. "But I've got one night for adventure so lead the way."

"They don't let servants out of the palace often?" Roman asked. Virgil couldn't help but laugh.

"No. Well," he rolled his eyes, "they don't let me out."

"What d'you do?"

Virgil hesitated. "I'm a tailor," he lied slowly. "The prince's tailor. Apparently they need me there all the time. Or something."

"Huh." That sound made Virgil's heart sink. Did Roman not believe him?

"You'll have to tell me all about it," Roman said. He held his hand out towards Virgil again. "C'mon. You've got guts, querido, let's see if you can jump."

Virgil smiled and took his hand.

Shorter chapter today, sorry, but I don't have much time. I'm sorry
Bye,
Blaize