#i really can't overstate how many times radri ran solo right into an encounter btw

[sovonight]

i was going to scribble a comic for these but please just imagine them as i would've drawn them instead

------

(a little while after Xan's return)

R: Wait, where are your robes?

X glances down, and looks up again

X: Right here, unless I have found myself back in one of my childhood nightmares.

R: No, no, the good one. The--what was it--the robe of the neutral archmagi.

X: …They were stolen, along with the rest of my belongings. Did I not tell you?

R: Oh, right.

R: …

R, shocked & outraged: They were stolen?!

--

X: Radri--slow down--what are you--

R: We've wasted so much time! Who knows where the thieves have moved the goods now? Who knows who they've sold them to?!

X, realizing: …No. No, do not ask--

R: I'm sure the shadow thieves can manage to do me this one favor! I'll be gracious enough to take the information over the honor of managing that little guild hall!

--

(at shadow thief hq)

R, annoyed: No, they aren't "just robes", they were worth 20,500 gp, plus 2,000 gp for custom alterations, plus another 5,000 gp to get them in the right shades of midnight blue and melancholic purple. And did I mention that they're the best robes on the market for neutral wizards? Yes, exactly. Now repeat all the details back to me--

--

R, musing: The only question is if they already found a buyer. With any luck, they will still be there when we arrive… (notices Xan) What is it?

X: I did not realize that you had invested so much in it. You told me you had just happened upon it as it was.

R, embarrassed, realizing she'd said everything with him present: …Oh. Well, I lied.

X: …I--

R, unable to let him speak: I just knew you would say that the cost was outrageous, but they were this horrible shade of acid green to start with, and I couldn't let you walk around in that! And you would say the robes weren't worth it, because you would be dying in them all the same, but they are worth it because they keep you safer, and I thought, these are an investment, you'll have them forever, and I won't ever have to think about robes again! And I'm sure you'll say you had better in Evereska but if nothing else consider us retrieving it as a recouping of--(X hugs her)--huh?

X: I am sorry that I lost it, Estel'amin.

R, sniffle: It wasn't lost. It was stolen.

X: I am sorry that it was stolen, then.

--

R: It's fine. It's not your fault you make such an easy mark. (Burying her face in his shoulder) Really, it's a miracle you don't get robbed all the time.

(at the shop)

R: (gasp) It's still here! I can't believe it!

Shopkeeper: A beauty, isn't it? Normally I price it at 30,000, but I'll let it go for 29,000 gp for such a discerning customer such as yourself.

R, empty, ready to cry: ……29,000 gp…….?

S: Well, just look at the craftsmanship. Why, this could become an heirloom, to be passed down to--

X: Zero.

S: Er, what?

X: We will be paying zero gold pieces. These are stolen goods, for they are my robes, which were unjustly removed from my possession a fortnight ago.

R looks at Xan like he's her hero; S looks at him in outrage

S: Well, isn't that an outlandish claim! (Disbelieving laugh) It may suit your taste in colors, sir, but I challenge you to prove it!

X, crossing his arms: Radri?

R: There's a name embroidered under the collar.

S, pleased: Oh, but it appears there's nothing embroidered there, dear custome--

R: I also had it embroidered in the lining of the pockets, in each sleeve, and in 7 inch intervals along the hem, in case it was ever fenced.

S, defensive: …Well, who's to say that you are this "Xan"? Anyone can go by any name these days, and--

X holds out his moonblade, showing his name on the hilt

X: If I were not Xan, I would not be able to draw this moonblade.

X draws it, holding the bared blade between them, the flames illuminating the shopkeeper's apprehensive face

X: Is this proof enough for you, shopkeeper? Seeing as you have wasted much of my friend's time already, I would suggest you make the answer "yes."

S: Y-Yes! Take it! Urgh, no one would buy the damn thing anyway--it's such a dreadful shade of purple!

--

X, self-conscious: What is it? Why do you keep smiling at me?

R: Nothing! I'm just glad we have the robes back.

X, evaluating her: …You're pleased that I threatened him for you, aren't you.

R, pink, avoiding his gaze: What? Noooo. …Well, maybe a little. I was surprised you would go so far for me, that's all. I mean, drawing the moonblade and everything…

X, turning his face away: The moonblade? (Sigh) Is that it, then? You love me more as a noble defender of Elvendom than as a man?

R, genuinely worried, clutching his arm: What?! Xan, no, of course not, I--(She catches a glimpse of the small, barely hidden smile on his face, and reprimands--) Xan!

X, kissing her cheek: Forgive me, Estel'amin, I know your love is true; I only wished for you to turn my way so that I could see your reddened face in full.

R, redder at being tricked, grousing: Noble? You're becoming just as underhanded as any thief I've met.

------

(at ye olde vending machine in spellhold)

X: Radri! Stop fooling around!

R, annoyed: I'm already here, and I have the tokens! What am I supposed to do, not spend them?

R: (counting quietly)

R, muttering: I have enough for two sets of quality footwear.

X, incredulous: You do not even realize how mad you sound!

--

R: Oh! Boots of speed! Now one person can match pace with me.

X, expectant: …

R: Keldorn! Here you go.

X: Radri?!

--

R: No, because think of how dangerous it would be for you to accidentally walk into a fight far ahead of anyone else!

X: What an excellent point. It is as though you read my mind. Indeed, I believe I recall myself saying something very similar to you, right before you encountered that exact scenario yourself--and then continued to encounter it as you refused to heed my concerns.

R, sheepish: …

X: Here is my proposal: either we obtain enough of these accursed boots for everyone, which is most definitely impossible, or you relinquish yours to--

R, speeding ahead to exit the conversation:

X: --Radri!