A Princess, a Knight, and an Assassin Walk Into a Tavern...

Tollie

It was so subtle that at first she didn't even notice,
So expertly executed that once she DID notice, she honestly began to question if it hadn't been that way all along, and she'd just misinterpreted...
But then, of course, he was an expert at it, as he'd been doing it all his life,
That careful balance of holding women at arm's length whilst still managing to get them to fawn all over him...
He had simply begun treating Tollie like he treated every other woman in his life.
Only, Tollie wasn't LIKE every other woman in his life.

At first, she began to suspect West was avoiding her, yet he was also legitimately busy, so perhaps she was just being paranoid?
He stopped calling her by her pet name, or any name rather, simply skipping that part and heading straight to the topic at hand, yet he was always very cordial with her and easy-going when they talked...almost too easy-going?
And he never touched her, not EVER. Not that they'd had much chance to be too touchy feely before, but still, somehow the absence was obvious.
Then there was the fact that he never sought her out, and when she came to him, or they ended up in the same area somehow, he was quick to find some reason to excuse himself. Which was how she finally figured out for sure how things stood between them.
Standing on deck and watching from afar, she saw West enter the Captain's quarters, and making a split second decision, she went right in after him.
When she entered he had just reached his desk, standing and looking over a log book. The act of sitting or standing was quite painful, so once he was up, he tended to stay up until he was sure he could go down for a good long while. He glanced up automatically, in the act of looking back down, when his brain registered who it was who had entered, his head jerking back up to watch weightily as she closed the door carefully behind herself.
There was an almost imperceptible pause before West cleared his throat and smiled as usual, "Well hello," Skip the part where he would have said 'Dove' "Is there anything I can do for you?"
He'd taken to asking her this anytime he was around her now, as if not completely willing to avoid her should she actually be in need of him.
She just shook her head, then walked over to where he was, leaning back and sitting partway on his desk, looking up at him.
He turned his attention back to his log book, but didn't last very long, clearing his throat and dropping his head before saying after only a few seconds, "Well, I have to..." And when nothing came to him he turned and headed for the door, "Can't hide in here forever, they're probably needin' me on deck..."
And just like that, there was no more questioning, no more wondering; the truth of it hitting Tollie heavy in the gut, making her eyes sting. Whether he had stopped caring for her, or had never really cared for her in the first place and was simply over their little fling of sorts, it was clear that Captain West was done with her.
But unlike the others, Tollie was not simply content being one of West's many admirers, well...not anymore, not since her feelings for him had become deeper than that.
"Don't bother leaving," She said quietly, speaking over the lump in her throat, stopping him in his defeated retreat. He turned back to look at her and she stood, crossing her arms in on herself and walking all the way until she was almost against his front, looking up at him quietly until he finally met her eyes, he having to look directly down to do so, his own jade eyes filled with secret turmoil. "I'll let you alone," her voice relaying both hurt and conviction.
Stepping around him unceremoniously she headed for the door, saying over her shoulder, "Tend to what you will."

He'd had to call in every favor, inflict every threat, and use up a good portion of their reserves to get the Drunken Mermaid secreted into a port for repairs, and themselves secreted in a small out of the way Inn some ways into the country. The crew had been sent on their way to lay low until they were called in again, having places to check in for messages every couple days or so, only Gov'ner, Tollie, and West heading to the Inn. It hadn't been that long a carriage ride, only two hours or so, but it had been torture for West, the constant jolting ripping open everything in him that had been so carefully mending the last couple weeks; Gov'ner practically dragging West's bleeding pale person as he 'helped' him up to their rooms.
Tollie stuck around helping to tend to him, as indifferently as possible, until the danger was yet again past; though she wasn't fooling anyone with her act, as it was easy enough to see she didn't breathe regularly until that spark came back into his eyes.
After that though...there was simply no reason for her to stay.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the room the two men were sharing, hearing a deep 'Come in' before entering, though she stayed near the door.
West looked over from where he was propped up on his cot perusing some papers, Gov'ner over at the small desk penning a letter; how was it these men seemed to have endless amounts of important things to do? He took in her cloak and bag, his greeting catching in his throat, he raising his eyebrow at her questioningly instead, a ghost of a smile at the edge of his lips. He still looked so worn, deep circles under his eyes, his cheeks hollow from the weight his body had lost under the strain of it all.
She cleared her throat, and when nothing milder came to mind, she just got straight to the point. "I think it's time for me to join the others in Brelle."
West blew out his breath and rubbed his hand over his face before moving his legs off the bed and sitting up gently, "Alright." He said then with determination, looking over at Gov'ner before continuing, "Where are we on securing transport?"
Before he could answer though, Tollie interrupted with alarm, "Don't be ridiculous, you do not get to go anywhere in that condition!" There was no way he could travel so far, just this small amount had almost killed him; the idea of it making her a little over passionate when she said next, "You are staying in that bed until your wound heals COMPLETELY Damien or so help me..."
Realizing she'd just used his first name she suddenly stopped, dropping her head and blushing before eventually just moving on, saying to her feet, as she refused to look up and see what his reaction to her use of his name was, "No. I'm going alone."
It was quiet long enough that she was forced to look up to gauge what was going on, finding West simply staring at her with alarm, his whole body tense.
"Tollie," He began cautiously, using her name for the first time in forever, "I don't think that's a good idea." It was clear he knew he needed to navigate the next few moments very carefully. "If you could just wait a bit, then I could..."
"I don't want you to come." She said in an even tone, though she might as well have yelled it for how dead silent the room became, poor Gov'ner looking down at his shoes, suddenly wishing he was not present.
The truth was she couldn't stand to be around him anymore, or rather she couldn't stand being around him and yet not being the object of his affection...it was too painful. Nor could she stand how obvious her feelings towards him still were. She refused to continue making a fool of herself, choosing instead to mourn over him from afar.
When West didn't say anything she just continued in that even professional tone she was using to hide her emotions, "Thank you for everything you've done, you went above and beyond in the finding of my brother, and I'll make sure you and your men receive appropriate recognition and compensation..." he snorted bitterly, looking away from her and falling back onto his pillows, both of them knowing that wasn't why he'd done it. "But your services are no longer required."
When he still didn't say anything she just adjusted her pack and said by way of good-bye, "We'll make sure to do what we can for your family." And with that she turned and walked out of the door, shutting it behind her.
The second she was out of sight West cursed, flinging the papers and the covers frusteratedly, though it was hardly satisfying as they didn't break or even make a loud noise, simply fluffing and floating in a mess to the ground. Sitting up gingerly again, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his eyebrows with his hand, sighing deeply.
"Follow her Gov. Make sure she doesn't just get herself killed."
Gov'ner nodded and was packed and out the door within minutes, looking along the street for any indication to which way she might have gone...when he felt eyes on his back. Turning around he saw Tollie leaning against the wall right outside the Inn door, looking at him.
Pushing off, she walked over to him. Gov'ner smiling down at the ground before joking sheepishly, "Knew I was comin' huh?"
"Don't follow me." She said instead of answering, her eyes sad.
He peered at her a moment with those wise eyes of his, then saying down to his shoes again, the smile still in his voice, "Are you asking or commanding?"
"Whichever will work." Tollie said, smiling halfheartedly then as well.
He shook his head once, "It's a long ways." By way of saying 'long and possibly dangerous and you aren't very good not only at traveling at all period, but also at protecting yourself at all period.'
"I know." She said resignedly, "But it's still my path to take."
He nodded once, looking back up at her before saying, "Tollie, he really..."
"I swear if you say 'cares for you' Gov'ner I'm going to sock you right in the gut, and I know it probably wouldn't hurt at all, but it still might damage our otherwise respectful relationship thus far."
Gov'ner put his hands up in a calming motion, laughing "Alright, I won't."
"You tell him if he really cares for me than he needs to man up and own to it, he doesn't just get to be this guy who...adores and cares for me from afar but rebuffs any real affection. Either he can get well and stand by my side and protect me himself, or...leave me be. No middle ground."
With that she turned and stomped off down the road, Gov'ner sighing, but ultimately turning to go back into the Inn, respecting her decision.

Considering her total lack of experience and the fact that she had a crazy Duke trying to kidnap her to use her in his evil plot to overtake the kingdom, traveling to Brelle was surprisingly uneventful. Using the money she still had from their winnings at the very beginning of this crazy adventure, she just kept boarding carriages and sleeping in Inns, making her way slowly until she finally stumbled into the Inn in Brelle that the others had communicated they were staying in.
Looking around though, she saw none of them. Which was unfortunate because she really didn't know if they came back here regularly, or even 'at all' anymore as it had been some time since she'd been around for the last communication...and she was completely out of funds. She didn't even have enough to get herself something to eat, and odds were the barman wasn't going to let her simply hang at one of his tables without at least paying for a drink.
Towards the back she saw a bit of a crowd and headed that way in the hopes of blending in for the time being. The people were all standing around a table watching a guy, well, barely a 'guy' really, in fact Tollie would guess he was even a bit younger than herself, not a situation she had run into much since starting on this adventure – who was doing a slight of hand game using three cups and a marble. And he was good, even making sure to let someone win every fourth one or so, so they didn't give up...or notice how much he was cheating.
Not that she could prove it for sure, he was too good for that, but the more she watched the more she just knew things weren't adding up quite right. Finally, after a big burly man shook his head and gave up, she sat down in the chair before the youthful swindler.
Without looking at her, busy setting up his things he said, "5 bits to play."
"5 bits?" She said teasingly, "That's highway robbery."
He simply shrugged, glancing up at her, knowing he had no end yet of interested parties and therefore she could either accept the terms or give up the chair to someone else who did.
"Double in returns if ya win." He said before looking back down.
"How about this." She said, removing her cloak casually, as if it had nothing whatsoever to do with their conversation...when really it had everything to do with it. Not only was she still in that extravagant outfit that Roj had put her in ages ago, but it was now missing a sleeve on one side thanks to the dramatics during West's injury. She knew she looked a mess after a whole day of travel, but she hoped she also looked at least interesting...interesting hopefully leaning towards intriguing? She knew she was no head turner, but at her very best she had managed to catch West's eye...for a time anyways, she thought with a pang; besides, she had the fact that she was the only woman in the establishment at the moment who was under forty, unmarried, and not shaped like a barrel with arms.
"I play for free, and if I win, you get to buy me a drink."
He snorted, looking back up with an amused smile...but there was the slightest of pauses before he spoke again, which she hoped was a good thing, not a bad thing, as she really had no idea.
"Uh-huh, and what do I get out of this deal exactly."
"C'mon, we both know you asking to buy me a drink was an eventuality, so I'm just saving you the awkwardness of the approach."
He laughed once, cocking his eyebrow, but as he didn't seem to be laughing AT her, she continued, "What do you have to lose, besides a little hand cramp from moving those cups around?"
He pretended to think it over, but as it seemed to be pleasing the crowd around them as well, he simply shrugged, "Alright, you're on."
She lost of course, as she knew she would, earning herself a disappointed groan, on her behalf, from the crowd, he simply taunting her with another cock of his eyebrow. She merely leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and saying. "Double-or-nothing." She'd been around pirates long enough now to be familiar with the term.
He laughed again, shaking his head in disbelief, "As in I now buy you two drinks?"
"How about we make it dinner and a drink?"
"Ah, well that's completely different." He answered back. But again, as he was still smiling at her, she simply raised her eyebrows in a question, the crowd around them egging him on. Everyone was a sucker for a good flirtation.
He shrugged again, making the cups a flurry of motion before her. When he was done, looking back up at her and gesturing towards the cup, she moved her finger towards the middle one, but before he could flip it over, she instead rested her finger on top of it. With her other hand she flicked over the other two beside it, revealing their emptiness. Everyone around her cheered, than as if catching on, everything got really quiet. She saw one of his eyes twitch just a bit as he stared at her carefully, his whole body wired to bolt.
Leaning forward far enough so only he could hear, though she was also pretty sure it was far enough that he got a pretty good look down her blouse, unfortunately... she said, her voice low, "How about you throw in your room for a night and I let YOU flip this one over so you can make sure there's a marble under it?"
He laughed out his nose once, shaking his head with a smile, she smiling as well, sitting back and lifting her finger off the cup.
He lifted the cup and, surprise surprise, there was a marble under it!
The crowd cheered and exclaimed in relief, the youth saying over them. "Game over folks. Apparently I'm engaged for the evening." And as he didn't seem too unhappy about the prospect, Tollie smiled in relief as well.
And she actually did have a great evening. The youth, whose name was Peter, had a lot of great stories to tell and was easy to talk to, she finding she had a lot of great stories to tell as well so long as she omitted the word 'castle' and the word 'West' from all of them.
And, graciously he did show her to his room at the end of it all, saying before she closed her door, "I don't suppose I get to come in as well?"
She laughed and tousled his hair, "Sorry Peter, but if you'll recall, you 'lost' earlier, and only 'winners' get that privilege."
"Ouch." He shook his head at her before she wished him goodnight and shut the door on him, he saying forlornly through the closed door. "What am I supposed to tell the rest of my party?"
"Tell them the barkeep gave it away."