Snippet #2706533

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Not in the slightest, but I've got nothing better to do and curiosity's got me by the tail."

"Says the one without a tail."

With her fluffy therian bodyguard in tow, Juniper decided to follow the trail inside of Frostheim. Exploring outside was out of the question, as she'd rather stay out of danger and keep close to their rendezvous point; who knew where it could lead them?
They had kept a steady pace trudging through wave after wave of thick snow when a young man - an elvish man? - sprinted straight past them right along the shimmering blue path.

"He's following the path," Tsudao stated the obvious.

"Come on," Juniper said excitedly, patting his shoulder and picking up her feet to trail the elf. "That's our lead!

"What lead?" the wolf asked, catching up to and then swiftly running past her. "I thought you were waiting for the adventurers."

"Open your eyes, Tsu, he was one!" she replied, already out of breath but not slowing down. "The swords, the disheveled clothes, he looked like he just booked it straight out of a brawl! Let's go make a good first impression, yeah?"

Rolling his eyes in something like compliance, the pair made their way into what suddenly formed into a mob. A minute ago, it didn't seem like there were too many folks prancing about, but now that so many had gathered into one, condensed ball of screaming and waving hands, it was like a sea of people had begun to bar their path.

"Is that him?" a woman shouted, hopping around the heads and shoulders of fellow gawkers to get a better look.

"A son of Cryoblood in the flesh!" A tall, grizzled-looking man raucously confirmed to nobody in particular, briefly fixing his cap before fumbling for the camera in his bag.

"He's a prince, he's a prince!" was another youthful voice, piping up from deep within the mob.

Suddenly, a piercing whistle rang out amidst the cheers and hoots, the following silence giving way to the howl of the wind.
The voices began to drop to hushed tones and murmurings, many of the heads turning to see the source of the noise. Before the crowd stood Countess Juniper Varosa, a grin on her face and a silver whistle between her fingers. At her side, the tall and imposing therian wolf folded his arms over his chest, glaring down at the masses with a sharp eye and slightly bared fangs.

Juniper released her grip on the whistle necklace, letting it fall against her collar as she performed a full curtsy. "Greetings, fine folk of Frostheim! This is more out of courtesy than anything, but perhaps you'd like to give the man some breathing room? Why, he's a living being before he is a prince, for god's sake!" The mob began to begrudgingly part as the golden-haired woman and her partner approached the elf, the former observing him intensely as she placed her fingers to her chin.

So, this one's a prince, is he? she thought, looking the man up and down with curiosity. Certainly not the crown prince by the looks of it, but high-profile royalty nonetheless. The first noble I've met since first stepping foot in Polara, in fact. The crowd slowly attempted to reform around him, but the intimidating bodyguard's very presence deterred their efforts, one hand wrapped loosely around the sword at his waist. This had less to do with making room and more to do with taking concern with Juniper's own safety.

"Well met, young prince!" Juniper said aloud, standing up straight and resting her hands proudly on her hips. "You certainly look like a busy man and I don't mean to keep you for long, but where exactly is it that you're going? I had some questions in mind, but before that, perhaps me and my aide could be of some assistance?"

Like the very trail that had brought them here today, her eyes sparkled a vivid blue, great fervor in both her gaze and the way in which she delivered her words. Hopefully, it was showy enough to grab his attention - or maybe she was being too showy?
Hm, hadn't considered that. This definitely might have come off as obtrusive and garish in the eyes of some, but he looked to be more warrior-y than traditional royalty so it didn't bother her as much as it should have.