[center][h2][b][color=20B2AA] Jandar Varan [/color][/b][/h2][h3][color=20B2AA]Ruined town[/color][/h3][/center]
[color=20B2AA]“I know I must be the one to lead,”[/color] Jandar replied to Faeril with a bemused smile. He was one of Aristo, so he obviously could more easily pass as one, despite the differences between Kaeleer and Terreille. [color=20B2AA]“I was simply commenting that I don’t possess the detailed knowledge of Terreille’s customs that one of this Realm’s natives does. Which is why we are having this in-depth discussion and consultation,”[/color] he clarified, hand gesturing in a wide circle as he encompassed the group he was talking to. Just then, Fatima stumbled her way over, as if in a daze, not looking at anyone as she made her way to him. A blink later, the Warlord felt a surprisingly strong grip around his left wrist, a weight leaning against his body as the Queen practically collapsed onto him. 

[color=20B2AA]“Hey,”[/color] Jandar murmured to her, mild confusion apparent in his tone – he’d still not quite gotten used to just how [i]tactile[/i] his (future) Lady could be, despite the fact that he always returned the gestures freely. The Warlord put his right arm across Fatima’s shoulders, beginning to pet her head lightly and with a slight hesitation. It was kind of awkward, if he thought about it, which…he tried not to. [color=20B2AA][i]I guess it’s what having a little sister might have been like. Though I really shouldn’t think of a Queen as that,[/i][/color] he thought, lips thinning as he suppressed a wince.

Keeping the loose half-hug around Fatima, Jandar looked over her head, continuing the conversation and letting the Queen just be for now, right palm leisurely scratching at her scalp and brushing through her hair. He was secure in the knowledge that Fatima could easily leave the proximity whenever she tired of it. [color=20B2AA]“A sight shield,”[/color] he commented, brows rising slightly upwards as he observed Mikhail’s demonstration. [color=20B2AA]“Excellent,”[/color] he stated matter-of-factly. [color=20B2AA]“That said, I’d rather not bring the whole coach. Just the horses, perhaps,”[/color] he said, frowning as he considered the pros and cons of the suggestion. 

[color=20B2AA]“The main reason against the coach is drawing attention. Especially because we'd have to make our way back [i]here[/i] eventually,"[/color] his emphasis made it obvious that being followed here would be bad for a variety of reasons. [color=20B2AA]"Also,  being rich is one thing, filthy rich and showing off quite another. We must be careful not to arouse too many questions,”[/color] though his remark countered Mikhail’s suggestion to bring the coach with them to town, the Warlord wasn’t addressing only him any longer, but rather Faeril and company as well. 

[color=20B2AA]“Even as it is, the nobility of this town may wonder why they haven’t heard of us before, if we are so well of and I the purported somewhat scandalous product of a shrewd, possibly Aristo Hayll, and,”[/color] he affixed a sneer on his face, injecting utmost revulsion into his tone as he continued [color=20B2AA]“and uppity [i]Dhemlan thief[/i].”[/color] Then the Kaeleeran native huffed, easing his expression back to neutral. [color=20B2AA]“That’s the kind of attitude you had in mind, correct?”[/color] the question was quite rhetorical in nature, however, since Jandar was confident in his acting abilities.

[color=20B2AA]“In any case, if we are to be interacting with the upper class, we will need fake names. Just in case we unwittingly arouse suspicion despite our best attempts, I do not want our true names – or appearances – to reach the capital. Besides, I have already met one Lord in Dhemlan, and I still carry the Vanished corpse of one of his men with me,”[/color] he added dryly. That particular event had been pushed to the back of his mind due to the events in Askavi, but it wasn’t as if he’d forgotten about it.

Dareen spoke up next, and Jandar wryly smirked at her frankly peasant remarks. [color=20B2AA]“Yes, you can be the daughter of a landlord and a businessman, whatever business might be most prosperous in your lands,”[/color] he replied evenly. Though he couldn’t quite his sarcasm completely under bay for his next statement; he chuckled without humor. [color=20B2AA]“I realize it’s not in your nature, but just keep your head down, eyes averted, cling to my side, and only reply with a vague nod if I actively seek your confirmation on something,”[/color] he drawled. Then, he cocked his head lightly to the side as he considered fashion matters, disregarding Dareen’s joking attitude about it. [color=20B2AA]“Wing slits and old fashioned might be rather a dead give-away, I’m afraid,”[/color] he murmured, considering. [color=20B2AA]“Perhaps…”[/color] he added before trailing off, though pointedly looked at Fatima.

Not saying anything directly to the Queen just yet, he looked back to Dareen. [color=20B2AA]“Speaking of makeup,”[/color] he glanced in Faeril’s direction, [color=20B2AA]“I should have some applied to me as well. Both to make me unrecognizable and to make it seem more likely that I am part or wholly Hyllian.”[/color] He expected Faeril and Fatima to be able to help him with that. While he had a very basic knowledge in applying make-up – as one tended to gain as an Aristocrat, whether they were male or female – he was no expert. Moreover, the Hyllian race was exclusive to Terreille, so he could only guess at what kind of subtle differences he’d need to make to his face to pass as one of them.

Jandar groaned at Dareen’s next revelation. [color=20B2AA]“No hood, no,”[/color] he asserted. [color=20B2AA]“We can have your hair washed, then you braid it again, then we’ll cover it with a veil."[/color] The Warlord sighed silently at the ridiculous prospect of having to pass such an obvious peasant for a noble. [color=20B2AA]“We’ll put you in a dress, don’t worry,”[/color] he waved a dismissive hand. Getting a proper dress in the first place was more of an issue. Speaking off…[color=20B2AA]“Fatima, can you help us with the disguise and the fake names? You’re Hyllian, so I assume you have some knowledge of that culture?”[/color] he questioned her quietly, gripping her shoulder comfortingly. [color=20B2AA]“Also, if you happen to have a spare dress and jewelry Vanished somewhere…?”[/color] he wondered. Jandar had given her some time to calm down from the bout of grief he suspected had taken ahold of her, but he really did need her cooperation for what they were about to attempt.