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

[chimerad]

Unless there's something you want to restock on, I'm find to get sorted here.

[he's had enough of interacting with the general population, thanks.]

[fair_trouble]

[There's a flicker of thoughtfulness in Emery's expression as he tries to gauge Zel's stress levels behind the mask and cowl, and then he nods.]

Got it. Hey, Bile?

[The frogry luckily happens to be nearby, having resumed swabbing the deck. They unresume upon Emery's speaking up, depositing the mop in a nearby bucket.

"You'll be in cabin eight-" Bile looks to the captain, who briefly nods. "It's right this way."

Bile leads them into the ship, giving a brief explanation of the layout, where to go for food or if they need to relieve themselves. Their cabin is close to the entrance, so they're there within a few paces.

"Let us know if there's any trouble, aye?"]

Thank you.

[Emery suspects that short of the cabin actively being on fire, Zel would put up with a thing of sackcloth on the floor as long as he could get away from having to interact with more whimsical fairy folk for a while.

As it turns out, the situation isn't that dire, though the cabin is a small one. There's a bunk and a thing of drawers built into the walls, an overhead magic lamp, and a small window with rose-embroidered curtains. Also, a chair. Not exactly luxury class, but certainly livable.

As soon as Bile's clear and the door's shut:]

What do you think?

[chimerad]

[from the moment Zel's climbed onto the ship, he's quietly cast a small levitation spell on himself that lightens his steps, his ears sharp to the natural groaning and creaking of the vessel with just the lighter load. in hindsight, a heavy freighter would be more trustworthy for his extra whole-ton of weight, but most vessels can handle it unless they're really overburdened.

this one seems to not be the case, which is a relief; it'd be a pain in the ass to have to train focus and resources to keep the thing afloat. he's just a second anchor. in...in a weight sense. not a logistical sense. he's never doing that again. the indignity.

he quietly surveys the room, crouching and checking the stabilization of the bunk, looking for any egregious holes or wood-wear that would suggest leaks. straightening up and finding none, his tense posture relaxes as he releases the spell, holding his breath only a beat longer while he feels the wood settle under his weight.

no falling through to the lower decks here. nice. he lets himself actually exhale in with some genuine relief - both for that and the reprieve from more socializing.]

It'll work. [he pulls his mask down and hood back, looking over his shoulder.] Nothing seems fishy at surface level to me.

[fair_trouble]

[While Zel examines their accommodations Emery stands back and watches him. Emery's not sure what Zel's looking for- bed bugs? Dubious blood stains? Tiny fae that might be hiding under the furniture? Whatever Zel's concerned about, it looks like he doesn't find it.

Emery smiles at the sight of Zel pulling down his disguise. It seems they have a reprieve. Although...]

The walls seem a little thin. We might need to keep our voices down.

[Emery can hear other people puttering about the ship. Muffled and indistinct, but there. Still, it's more privacy than they've had recently.

Emery steps over to the bunk and sits down, gesturing at the free space beside him.]

Sit~ I think you've earned a little break.

[chimerad]

[Zel shrugs their bag of gear off his shoulder (definitely always there in cape hammerspace) and sets it against the wall, doing a slight double-take at the call. he hesitates, giving Emery a contemplative look before moving.

instead of taking the spot offered him, he kneels in front of him, his movements slow and telegraphed so it's no surprise he's moving in to hug him around his waist, carefully turning his head to avoid scraping at him with his hair while meaning to rest his head against him.]

[fair_trouble]

[The move is unexpected, though not startling courtesy of the telegraphing, and honestly? Emery finds it really, really cute. He definitely melts a little and has to bite back the urge to go awwww.

He sets a hand on Zel's back and leans a little over him, lowering his voice.]

There we go. Comfortable?

[chimerad]

[it's not cute unless it's also somehow badass and cool, and since that's impossible, Zel is not cute!

once he can feel the vague press of the hand on him, he lets some of his carefully tensed-up posture settle. it's not a complete relaxing, but it's a start. he gently squeezes at Emery's waist in response, prior to a soft grunt.]

Mn. No more haggling or entertaining for a while.

[fair_trouble]

[Cute or not (it is though), Emery's definitely grinning about it.]

You did well. I think you only ran away once.

[Emery looks down at Zel's head and contemplates for a few moments. Then, very carefully, Emery reaches his other hand down and slips his fingertips in between the wires of Zel's hair. He strokes slowly, with the grain, so to speak, much as one might pet a porcupine or hedgehog.]

[chimerad]

[the action is picked up more by sound than by feel, but once some of his hair starts tickling at his ear, Zel finds himself beset by a tingling down his neck that makes him want to fidget. he fights that, wanting to keep where he's at.]

...That can't feel pleasant for you. [it's not soft at all!]

catcoded lad finally getting pets

[fair_trouble]

It's fine~ As long as I'm careful I'm not actually getting scratched. [So ruffling and mussing is out of the question, but slow, rhythmic stroking down Zel's scalp is doable. It may be limited but it's better than nothing, hopefully. Sensory-wise it's mostly just kind of odd on Emery's end- carding his fingers through dense, stiff, metallic fibers.]

catboyification at 60%

[chimerad]

[a shade glum:] Careful can't be that pleasant, either. [but it is what it is, isn't it? and it's something that Emery is being so thoughtful.

...it feels nice. hypnotic, in some sense. perhaps it's in part because of the drained social batteries, the unfamiliar landscapes, or being devastatingly touch-starved, but Zel finds the gesture easy to soak up.

when he exhales out heavily through his nose, some of the tension goes with it, and he's just a bit heavier in Emery's lap for it.]

emery'll just have to keep improving that score

[fair_trouble]

I'm enjoying it, actually. [And Emery is even if it's not the same enjoyment that he might get playing with a normal person's hair. It's an interesting sensation in its own right, but more importantly the care is well worth it when he can hear and feel Zel actually managing to relax a little under Emery's hand. Though it doesn't stop him from asking:] What about you?

[chimerad]

[he exhales a sound through his nose.]

...

[it's nice. but conceding that anything about his own body being nice beyond being sword-proof feels like inadvertently adding years and years onto his search for a cure.

but downplaying how nice the attention is would be wrong too! think, Zelgadis.]

You smell nice.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery laughs, partly out of surprise.]

That wasn't exactly what I meant but I'll still accept the compliment~

[He resumes petting Zelgadis and after a few moments decides to ask another question.] What else do you like?

[chimerad]

Y-you-- [it's embarrassing the moment it falls out of his mouth, prompting his head to turn to hide his face in Emery's lap. his arms go slack, withered by how lame he feels, ears still burning from the definitely-should-be-pity laugh seconds prior.]

[fair_trouble]

Me?

[It's truly a shame that Zel immediately has decided to hide his face because he misses out on the sight of shoujo bubbles surrounding a starry-eyed Emery. Zel's so sweet! And cute! Emery's the luckiest person around!

Well, he would be if he could adequately shower Zel in affection. Emery tugs at the tip of one of Zel's ears.]

Hey, come on~! I can't kiss you if you don't lift your head.

[chimerad]

[his shoulders draw up against the tingling sensation that ear-touching provokes, fingers twitching. with a grumble, Zel lifts his head only to the point he gets the sense of Emery's hands there, still sensitive to not scraping or scratching him up with an inadvertently sharp move even while embarrassed.

it takes a double-take from wary side glances to make eye contact and confirm there's no teasing in the mirthful look beaming down at him, and Zel's chest squeezes a little. Emery's really cute...

he gulps, sitting up on his knees to spare Emery so much of a slouch.]

[fair_trouble]

[The last time they'd kissed, Emery hadn't been able to give Zel more than a quick peck. There's fortunately no need to be so restrained this time. Emery drapes his arms over Zel's shoulders and leans down to kiss Zel with all the enthusiasm and pent-up adoration he can bring to bear.



It's not the frantic pace of a lust-addled lover (not yet, anyway) but neither is Emery leisurely about this. Zel's been very patient, and Emery can recognize that. Not to mention that he had his goddamn face cracked open because of Emery. A pinch of guilt and a spoonful of gratitude are thus mixed in with the generous serving of simple love that fuels each kiss Emery presses to Zel's lips.

He really does love this silly, fussy man, and each day, each moment only makes Emery more certain of it.]

just fucking pretend i have thematically appropriate icons

[chimerad]

[Zel is all too eager to be indulged in, savoring the warmth and texture his mouth can enjoy, his chest both light and tight. each kiss is a little like magic, working out the kinks that all the time and little stresses that have built up over the days and night - reassurance that he's not overstayed his welcome.

in a break for breath, after gently nipping at Emery's lower lip:] I'd do this all day if you let me.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery's lips tingle after they've parted and he laughs, delighted at Zel's words. Being wanted isn't a novelty by any means, but it's something special when it's coming from Zelgadis.]

You know I would let you if you didn't care so much about silly things like "privacy" and "public decency."

[chimerad]

[he pouts a little.]

It's nobody else's business... And I don't like gawkers.

[fair_trouble]

I know. You're shy~

[Because obviously only a shy person would be reluctant to make out with someone in front of an audience, right?]

[chimerad]

[grumpily:] No. Just private. It--this is...private. Not for anybody else. [he doesn't want to share any more than he wants to be ogled!]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery cocks his head, the teasing smile undercut with something more thoughtful.]

Just the two of us?

[chimerad]

[some of the edge of his grousing smooths out.]

...If that's fine with you. [maybe it's silly to be self-conscious at this stage, but he can only be too sure of himself.]