[EVENT RP] The Reclamation of Tania

[WyvernSlayer]

Satsume could feel his heartbeat intensify as the sounds of marching got ever closer.  Paige was certainly taking a bold risk – but hey, it wouldn’t have been the first time Satsume had gotten in trouble with the law.
 
“Halt!” the frontmost soldier held up his arm, and the stomping ceased.  “Ma’am, we are here on orders from the Emperor.  There is a curfew in place, effective immediately.  Please vacate the streets.”
 
“Yes!” said a second soldier.  “We are here for your protection!  The wyvern scourge approaches as we speak.”
 
“These streets are no place for a lone girl,” deadpanned a third.  “Please return to your home.”
 
Satsume clung to the wall in the alley.  Not nearly as bad as it could be, Satsume thought.  But how are we supposed to get out of here without them noticing us as they walk by?  He didn’t want to count on Paige being able to small-talk the soldiers for much longer.  He had to think of a plan, and quickly.
 
He looked back at the rest of the group, and made a motion with his hand to stay out of sight.  He took a deep breath and stepped out into the street.
 
“He’s right, my dear,” Satsume said to Paige.  “We should be heading home.  I’m sure our…son… is wondering what’s keeping us…”
 
“You!  What were you doing back there?” said the first soldier.
 
Damn, didn’t plan for that one.  “Uh…”
 
“I think I know what they were doing back there…” muttered one of the other soldiers.  A couple others chuckled in unison.
 
Satsume could feel his face getting flushed.  Just roll with it! he tried to tell himself.
 
“Well, um… you see, our house can get so crowded sometimes, and uh…” he shot a glance over to Paige, who seemed to be giving him a “what in blazes are you doing?” look.
 
“And, uh… yeah.”
 
The first soldier scrunched his face a little bit.  “Well, I suggest you two get home quickly.”
 
“Yeah,” said the second soldier.  “Wouldn’t want us to think you’re in league with Bern.”  This was met with a hard smack to the back of his head, and another soldier whispering, “Fool!”
 
Satsume began to walk into a cross street, grabbing Paige’s hand as he walked past.  “Let’s be off then, dear,” he said, his voice wavering slightly with embarrassment.  In actuality, this gave Satsume a chance to look back into the alley, where the others were still hiding.  He met the eyes of Shad and flicked his head to one side, as a signal.  Hopefully he’d pick up on it.
 
As he and Paige continued along the street, one of the soldiers behind him barked an order, and the sounds of the group forming up again to continue their march followed.  He let go of Paige’s hand.
 
“I hope that was less awkward for you than it was for me,” he whispered.  “We’ll find another place and meet up there.”