fairyland fun! (your levels of fun may vary)

[fair_trouble]

[New day, new town, and hopefully new opportunities. Specifically opportunities to make some money because Zel and Emery’s funds have been running kind of low after their most recent misadventure. This has meant a temporary separation while Zelgadis goes to look for merc-type work and potential cure leads and Emery goes around chatting up the locals without terrifying them.

Or at least that was the plan, until Calanthe showed up.

By the time Zel gets back to the inn, Emery’s still busy talking to Calanthe in their inn room, although the conversation’s just about wrapping up. If he’s perceptive he might even catch a bit of Emery’s words.

“...some funds this time? ...Seriously, is that it? He’s always such a cheapskate. …Okay I got it. I’ll see you later.”

A few moments later a woman wearing a green cloak exits their inn room. Her hood is up, partly obscuring a pale face and hair, and she barely spares anyone a passing glance as she drifts down the hallway.

Emery is still standing inside the inn room looking pensive, but when Zel enters he’ll give him a bright smile.]

Oh! Hey, Zel. Did you manage to find anything?

Comments

[fair_trouble]

Yup. I guess one thing that’s different from the human realm is that there’s a lot more mingling? I mean here you just get human cities and beastmen villages, but fairies come in a lot of shapes and sizes and they all live in the same settlements together. It’s not that there isn’t a hierarchy or infighting, but you will see stuff like a goblin, a glaistig, and what looks like a human all at the same tavern, and this isn’t a noteworthy occurrence.

[Emery gestures a bit as he talks, becoming more animated as he gets to share stuff he hasn’t really gotten to talk about much before. The opportunity has even distracted him from the possibility of Zel-flusters, it's tragic.]



There’s a lot of stories out there about fairies- one of them is that fairies can’t lie. That isn’t true, but I have found a lot of people tend to be honest and literal-minded. And you won’t be trapped there forever if you eat the food, although after I spent a year there and came back, it took a while before food from the human realm had any flavor to it. That was really weird

[chimerad]

[Zel moves to lean against the wall, folding his arms to listen. Emery's...well, he's always attractive, but this side of him is still relatively new. more often than not, Emery's the one prying details out of Zel and rare is the time when he'll go on about something without asking for Zel's input.

it's kind of nice.

helps that he's interested in a new land; exploration always means new opportunity.

a mingling of different species...kind of reminds him of working for Rezo. the beastmen and trolls and kobolds...

the stony ridge of his brow raises a bit at mention of food.]

So are you saying we stock up now and bring it with us, or no need?

[fair_trouble]

Mm, I think it wouldn’t hurt, but if we’re there long enough we run out then it won’t be a disaster either. But that first month after I got back from the fae realm was pretty rough. I wound up losing some weight because I didn’t want to eat much, it all just tasted way too bland. But I got my sense of taste for human food back in the end.

[So it partly depends on how willing Zel is to eventually deal with food that tastes like drywall. Since Emery knows he’d get his taste back eventually he’s willing to put up with it, but maybe Zel is fussier.]

I’m not sure what causes it. The food in the fae realm is good but it’s not hypnotically good. Except maybe the wine. There’s a winery in the Field Lord’s territory that makes some good stuff~

[That, however, is edging a bit into less pleasant territory to think about. And they’re supposed to be thinking about practical logistics! They can work in carousing later… Emery taps at his chin thoughtfully.]



Ah, come to think of it, currency might be an issue if we have to buy anything. Most fairies don’t go to the human realm, ever, so our money’s only worth as much as its materials. But Calanthe did give me some funds for travel expenses. It's not a lot, but I'm good at making do.

[re: talking people into giving him stuff]

[chimerad]

...

[Calanthe. he never got a good look at her and he wishes he had - just to have better footing in all of this! he doesn't like being taken by complete surprise or look a fool, after all.]

So the provisions we already have should suffice. Unless this...task you need to do takes a deal of time...?

[fair_trouble]

[A hum.]

Calanthe didn’t give me an estimate. She wanted to speak about the specifics somewhere more secure. [With a dry look, Emery adds:] I think she also wanted to wait until she had a full night’s sleep before talking about it.

But it sounds like it should take a few weeks, depending on how secure the information we’re looking for is.

[chimerad]

Mn. [then it'd make no sense to pack a whole ton of stuff, especially if there was going to be food there. a full night...]

Then...we stay up tonight, rest up in the day, and go the following evening? To match the day-night cycle you mentioned.

[fair_trouble]

[That is a very practical suggestion from Zel and naturally the part Emery zooms in on:]

Staying up late? We’ll need to find a way to pass the time~

[Emery gives Zel a grin that is distinctly predatory.]

[chimerad]

[right on cue, Zel's face flushes and he turns his head away, eyes closed.]

Tch-! [and yet:] I'd wear you out too fast.

[damn!! a slick line!

...he's embarrassed!!!!!!!! but it was cool right. RIGHT??]

[fair_trouble]

[Cool or not, Emery is delighted! He’s genuinely proud whenever Zel manages to flirt back without sputtering.]

Oh, is that a challenge?

[And now he’s sidling up into Zel’s personal space.]

Or a promise~?

[chimerad]

[his mouth twitches into a faint smirk, shooting a sidelong glance for a split second before he's too bashful to look at that expression head-on.]

More like...a prediction.

[he hesitates, then shifts his posture so he isn't so slumped against the wall and he can lean in Emery's direction.]

[fair_trouble]

[Perfect. That just makes it easier for Emery to circle his arms around Zel’s shoulders and drape himself against Zel.]

Mm… I like that. Makes it sound like I have something to look forward to.

[Something to look forward to that’s a little less complicated than involving Zel in his work.]

[chimerad]

[he breathes a faint affirmative, straightening up to let Emery dangle as he pleases, himself unfolding his arms to put hands on his waist.]

After you've covered all the rules I'll need to follow out there, that is.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery pouts a little and briefly sticks out his tongue with a blech noise before dutifully moving on to more serious considerations. The laws of the fae realm aren’t that different from that of the human realm, really- varying from area to area, following certain trends like “don’t kill people, usually” or “don’t steal stuff,” etc.]

…Don’t eat or drink anything that you haven’t paid for or been invited to partake in. Even if it just seems to be something like wild fruit, there’s a good chance some fae nearby will consider it part of their territory or part of themselves, and get tetchy about it.

[Emery absently slides a hand down to fiddle with Zel’s cloak tie.]

The thing about fairies is that they’re basically nature spirits, so you can’t be entirely sure if a random rock you find by the road or a tree or whatever is actually alive in some way it normally isn’t. Most things won’t be, but you know… Just be polite and respectful to whoever and whatever you meet. Use your common sense.

[Emery’s gaze then flicks to the red, jewel-like pin at the front of Zel’s cloak, and for the next few moments he makes more eye contact with his own tiny, distorted red reflection than he does with Zel.]



And I should do all the talking with Calanthe, or the Field Lord if he calls me in… It’ll go smoother if they’re not aware you’re around or paying any attention to you.

[chimerad]

Hm...

[Zel takes care in untucking Emery's shirt and undoing a buckle - extra care in not seeing what he's doing while he listens.]

So...no backup in front of this noble you work for.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery is quiet for a beat, then chuckles.]



Backup? He’s my employer, he’s not someone you need to fight.

[And actually it would probably just cause more problems for Emery if Zel tried, although that isn’t necessarily Emery’s first concern here. He just. Doesn’t trust the Field Lord and by extension, the Field Lord’s more loyal retainers.]

Or are you afraid I’ll screw you out of potential compensation if you don’t have a seat at the negotiation table? Frankly, I’m offended by that notion! Surely the pleasure of my company is compensation enough~?

[Emery has noticed that Zel’s started “adjusting” Emery’s clothes, though for the moment he’s feigning obliviousness.]

[chimerad]

[he scoffs softly, nose crinkling.]

It's not that. More... [his fingers, tickle-light, slip under the shirt and against Emery's skin. he's been getting better about treating him like glass, but he always will have such a careful touch at the onset.] Just wanting to get a read on this guy.

In that case...maybe it is better to not be seen. So there's no facades.

[fair_trouble]

[Honestly, Emery does not like the idea of Zel potentially spying on the Field Lord either!If he has his way he’d rather Zel stay like, at least 50000 miles away from the Field Lord at all times. Which probably means that he shouldn’t be taking Zel along with him.]

I guess it makes sense you’d be curious. Well, if an opportunity arises, we’ll see what we can do.

[The thing is, when Emery feels rough stone fingers whisper against his skin like that, it makes him very reluctant to potentially give Zel up. He'll just... have to figure something out.]

[chimerad]

[Zel doesn't respond right away in words, his gaze downcast and watching Emery's mouth move with those musing words. he's musing himself - mulling over the notion of being more candid with his reasoning or just...leaving things where they are. hardly seems necessary at this point, yet the impulse remains.

he closes his eyes.]

...I won't force your hand either way. Your boss, your place, your rules.

I just...want to understand it all better. To understand you.

[fair_trouble]

[For a moment Emery just quietly looks at Zel with his heart in his eyes. Zel’s words are tender, vulnerable, sincere, and all in all impossible for Emery to resist.]

Gods damn it. You’re too sweet, you know that?

[And Emery leans in to give Zel a kiss. It’s a little bit of a distraction tactic- a distraction for Zel and for Emery- but mostly he just really wants to.]

[chimerad]

[honestly, part of Zel is relieved for the break in all the new information and potential hazards ahead of him - ahead of them. his heart jumps a bit with the kiss, himself not having been braced for it right then and there, and quickly warms to it. his hands press more certainly and pull Emery closer.

he's a little embarrassed, admittedly, to wear all of his heart on his sleeve, albeit in such few words. but the reward of affection goes a long way, and he's grateful he can be grateful - and express that in action rather than having to spit out more words.

even so, he wouldn't be himself if he didn't have a dry interjection when their mouths part:] ...Right. Anything else? [rather, anything more important than making out?]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery’s hands flatten against Zel’s chest as he presses himself against Zel. It’s good to just relax into something physical- Emery might be more comfortable with words than Zel is, generally, but he still has trouble with vulnerability himself sometimes and kissing makes an excellent alternative way of expressing his feelings.

Plus it just feels really good to do this.

At the end of the kiss, and the question, Emery looks thoughtful.]



Anything else…? I haven’t gotten to suck your cock in a while.

[Definitely what Zel was referring to, yes?]

[chimerad]

Df--

[he should've expected that, and yet he sputters with surprise all the same. he at least turns his head to cough instead of spitting in the guy's face with his fluster.

while hastily recovering:] I meant about the fae, you know...

[fair_trouble]

[Zel coughs and sputters, and Emery laughs, as is per usual. As also per usual, Emery continues the bit with a tone of faux-innocence.]

We can have sex in the fae realm as well, yes. You needn’t fear otherwise.

[chimerad]

I, I wasn't...fearing that... [but he's going to be thinking about it now, thanks.

he sighs, looking back and carefully bumping Emery's nose with his - any closer and he risks scratching his face with hair unintentionally.]

But since I'm already on the hook for following your rules for this job of yours, I can stand to follow your demands here, too.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery returns the bump with a little nose rub and another little laugh. He does like the thought of Zel following his orders, yes, and praise is thus in order.]

You’re such a good boy~

[...Zel did complain the last time Emery called him that, come to think of it. Whoops. Well, surely Zel can forgive it this time.]