thehauntedfrequency | fairyland fun! (your levels of fun may vary)

fairyland fun! (your levels of fun may vary)

[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?

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[his gaze returns to Emery, at first wide with incredulousness, then softened to something more contemplative, a little sad in a comfortable way.

it's not like he doesn't want somewhere to belong or feel at home at, right? home has only been in people for such a long time, and he can't tie people down like that, can he? even Emery wants to get away for a while - it's what he's implying right now.]

...

[that is what he's implying, isn't it?]

Where would you want it to be?

Eh, me?

[Emery blinks. For a moment, he thinks Zel's asking Emery where Emery would want to live, and it's flummoxing because he's never seriously considered it. But then he thinks that might be kind of a tangent from Zelgadis...]

You mean- Where I think you should live? Or where I would want to live?

[he flinches a little, starting to feel uneasy about the topic.]

I--where--you'd...want...to travel to. If I were somewhere. I guess.

[he sounds like an idiot!! he hates it!

hastily:] Never mind. It doesn't really matter if I don't have a place anyway.

[Emery continues to look thoughtfully at Zelgadis, not even really acknowledging poor Zel's flustering.]

...What would matter most to me is just that you're there. It doesn't make a difference if that's Seyruun or the Kataart Mountains.

Gih-- [he scuffs a step and nearly pitches forward, but thankfully he's not going to fully embarrass himself right now. so what if what Emery says is what he'd want to hear? hearing what he wants is still staggering!

also it's kind of a torture right here and now, when he can't just smother his mouth with kisses. too many people! too open!

huffy:] It--I'll! Think about it later! [are we there yet!!]

[Emery smiles. It's a soft expression, and only a little amuse by poor Zel's staggering around.]

Sure. But still think about it, right?

[Emery's not so dense that he's unaware that Emery's sentimental answer is what provoked this reaction, but he does wonder why the idea of making a home, or a homebase anyway, is unappealing for Zel. Maybe he's been a wanderer for so long the idea of putting down roots anywhere is just unfathomable.

Emery genuinely hopes Zel does, however. Even if it's in some distant, inconvenient place, it would be nice for there to be somewhere Emery might have hope of finding him.

They are, sadly, not quite there yet, though the roads get wider and more crowded as they're getting closer- a sure sign that they're approaching an important hub of transportation and commerce. The sun hovers overhead, bright and hot enough to make it difficult to believe it's midnight in the mundane realm. It isn't long before members of the caravan start passing around trail rations and thankfully Zel and Emery are included. Emery accepts his serving of travel bread and water with the politeness and delight that would normally be merited by a restaurant meal.

(Less thankfully, several goblins, particularly the kids, will be sneaking glances and stares at Zel after he's given food, wanting a glimpse at the mysterious face under the mask.)]

[Zel is barely cognizant of the precocious kids and nosy adults watching him snarf down what's offered him, flashing fangs carelessly. can't worry about it when Emery's words are rattling around in his head over and over.

doesn't make a difference..yeah, right! it of course makes a difference! what if it's too cold! too hot! too out of the way! what if there's tar or quicksand or landslides or annoying neighbors! what if what if what if-!!

in wiping his mouth, the fabric of his glove snags on the stone on his chin briefly, eliciting an irritated click of the tongue and a glare that sweeps over to squirrely kids before the mask goes back up.

right...cool it, Zelgadis. be cool. it's not that long to the next step! and he can't be off his game if, say, a dirt spirit or something gets mad at him for skipping the wrong pebble on the road and tries to gut him.

...where does Emery want to live? does he just want to wander perpetually?

later. think about it later. just be satisfied with furtive looks Emery's way while setting the puzzle aside for later. this mindset makes him more rigid and scowly, but he's not in a bad mood. he's just! trying to be cool!

this is not cool.]

[The squirrely kids have the decency to look abashed and duck their faces at the glare, which might make Zel feel better or might set off another bout of I'm-A-Monster angst if he's paying that much attention.

Emery in the meantime is also casting occasional furtive looks in Zel's direction, enough to catch on to the scowling. It leaves him more than a bit concerned- though if they ever make accidental eye contact while they're both shooting stealth glances, Emery will just smile.

...But he wonders. Did he maybe hit a sore spot with the whole issue about settling down? Emery finds himself wishing they could go hide in Tantabel's suitcase again, not because he's particularly eager to be amongst the root vegetables, but because the privacy might help Zel spit out whatever it is he's thinking.

And then they could make out, which might not solve anything but surely couldn't hurt.

Eventually, after everyone's eaten, the walls of Fairford are visible in the distance; alas for Zel's patience, the pace slows to a near standstill. A few of the caravan members tell Emery this is a common issue, as any merchants entering Fairford have to deal with the custom officials at the gate and get properly processed before they can enter the city. Death and taxes and all that.

As the caravan continues inching forward, a goblin on donkeyback approaches the wagon where Emery's been hanging out. "Ah, Emery, right?"]

-Yes, that's me.

["The Hob wants to speak with you before we enter the city. Says he's got a request."]

Well we certainly shouldn't keep him waiting. [Emery glances at Zel.] Come on, Zel.

[for the time, delighting the kids with his freakshowness is...harmless, really. nobody's throwing rocks at the rock guy, nobody's crying in terror...this is fine. and kind of funny, given none are projecting a sense of fear for their lives when he glances their way. maybe that'd be a more common feeling were Zel the sort to engage in public spaces more than what was completely necessary, huh?

of course, this easy feeling gets pushed aside for apprehension when Emery's summoned. he frowns, mask back up yet again, and grunts an acknowledging sound, stepping forward to offer an arm to Emery for help out of a still-moving wagon.

muttered to him:] Probably moving goods. They have a lot of it here.

[Emery takes the arm that Zel has gallantly offered and hops out onto the road.]

A little heavy lifting's not too steep a method of repayment.

[...Though remembering how things went the last time they tried to help out gives Emery an uncharacteristic pang of anxiety. His imagination is helpfully providing him mental images of Zelgadis getting swallowed by a mimic or one of the donkeys turning into a giant monster donkey and trampling him or-

Well. If something happens it'll happen.

Emery remembers what the Hob's wagon looks like and is easily able to pick it out among the rest of the caravan, and it's only a short stroll until they're at the Hob's doorstop again.

Emery climbs onto the porch and knocks at the door; he can hear the muffled voice of the Hob bidding them "Enter!" And then Zel will get to watch Emery awkwardly stoop his way inside before it's his turn.

Once the two of them are finally situated, the Hob remarks "The two of you appear to be doing better."]

[lowering his voice as they get closer to the Hob's wagon:] We already paid, remember? In silver.

[and also chores. but...c'mon! the money's gotta stretch before yielding to labor, right?

right??

out of deference to the Hob, Zel pulls his hood and mask down, still oblivious to the fuckshit state of his face; he's thinking more about getting into this wagon without making the axle snap underneath. sheesh. he manages it, though.

to the remark:] The cover's appreciated.

[and now he has to wonder what price that accrued...]

[Emery kneels on the floor, hands on his knees in a very prim pose.

The Hob looks over at Zelgadis at the remark, and blinks, hesitating for just a moment. Though he may have heard of the fuckshit situation, seeing it is another! Still, the Hob rallies quickly enough.

"The elder of Hepsby Spring was quite angry."]

We're sorry to hear that.

["It's going to be quite awkward whenever we pass through next."

No doubt. Emery decides not to let the Hob go on too much about how the two of them have damaged the reputation of the Yakak Caravan in favor of cutting to the chase.]

I heard you had a request for me? Some way we could help pay you back, maybe?

[The Hob smiles. Emery thinks. It's a little hard to tell, the lips get lost in all the wrinkles and creases.

"As it happens, our booth has been understaffed lately. Have you any experience in sales?"]

Ah- Yeah, actually.

[Emery casts Zel a quick sidelong glance, wondering if Zel has any protests about this.]

[Zel's scowl grows as Hob points out the consequences. he's used to this - especially in the wake of Lina and company's carnage - but it doesn't feel right to have Emery speak to it.

...what is Zel supposed to say about it, though? sorry for not drowning and making things easier on you? to hell with that.

flatly:] It'll be less awkward because I won't be there. But if you want us moving your wares into town to feel better about it, that's fine. We can leave things at that.

[The Hob briefly inclines his head in Zel's direction. "Actually, I believe Emery should be helping with the customers. But you look like you'd be most helpful moving the wares."

Is he insinuating Zelgadis looks like dumb muscle??? Rude! For a moment Emery's eyes narrow, but he tamps down the defensiveness and thinks over the Hob's request.

Emery really does have experience in sales, dealing with customers, and so forth. He'd had an apprenticeship at Hill & Dale back in the day, and because of his looks and general vibe everyone expected him to be the guy who wooed customers and clients. So the task itself doesn't worry him.

That aside:]

We can spare a day, but after that the two of us will need to keep moving. We've got a travel schedule to keep. [Sort of.

Emery straightens up and levels the Hob with a solemn stare, silently willing him not to argue with them on this. After a beat or two, the Hob nods.

"I understand. Then we're all agreed...?"]

[one of Zel's ears flicks to vent a pulse of irritation, but his expression remains stony (like...in both senses).

playing to the bit:] Emery says a day, so we'll give you a day. [simple as!

but is it? is Emery up for a day of hocking wares he's not even going to profit from? engh, what a pain.]

["Very well. I'll see that the rest of the caravan knows in short order."

Since the situation is settled Emery gives the Hob a bright smile.]

We look forward to working with everyone.

[The Hob nods and dismisses them with a hand gesture, which means they're now free to begin the awkward process of exiting the wagon (made slightly more awkward by a cluster of goblins waiting outside who will immediately pretend to be very busy the moment the door opens.)

As soon as they're free Emery wastes no time in sidling over to Zelgadis to tease him in an undertone:]

"Because Emery says so," huh~?

[the wagon groans with the relief of being freed from rock-carrying, and Zel has barely a second before Emery's slinking over; the tone prompts an indignant scoff and slight puff-up of his chest to counteract the flush on his face he's masking up.]

Between a bodyguard and employer, the latter's got the final say. I'm the one that just has to make sure you don't get hurt in the process.

[he pulls his hood back up.]

Are you fine with this? Or did you just agree to avoid causing more strain on this whole situation? Because if it's too much of a problem, we can just leave ahead of schedule; they already have our money.

[Emery chuckles, pleased by the flash of purple that's briefly visible before Zel covers up.

It does feel a little weird though to be referred to as Zel's employer, even if that's part of the whole cover story they're going with. It's not like Emery is paying him anything. Unless paying Zel with his body counts?

Zel would probably fuss and bluster if Emery made a remark about that. Fortunately for certain chimeras, Emery decides to answer the question instead.]

I really am fine. I've done stuff like this before, and it might be interesting to get a look at the market from this perspective. [Plus he can keep an ear out for useful info from any customers who might be inclined to chat.] Anyway, I already gave the Hob my word so I wouldn't want to go back on it regardless.

[Emery wouldn't consider himself an overly honorable sort, but it's best to have a little credibility in life, right?]

[Zel grunts an acknowledgment. he wouldn't be opposed to going back on the agreement if Emery was genuinely troubled by it - what, like he's ever gonna see these little guys again? - but he'll let this play out as Emery suggests.

to that end, once town comes into view and the wagons are directed to areas allotted to travelers to come to rest, and some of the other goblins clamoring about call for the extra arms to heft things being unpacked and follow on to the market street.

he sighs and gets to it, shrugging off the burdensome loads (maybe it is kind of nice to be appreciated or even outright marveled for his base strength but shut up) and enduring an almost endless stream of "more to the left" and "not that way this way" and such.

it's a living, as some may say...]

[As Zel suffers the gofer work, Emery is put under the guidance of Tantabel (it seems she's the one usually in charge of carrying out the Hob's whims) and a few other merchants. They set Emery to familiarizing himself with the merchandise and how much it's worth, pumping him with about as much information as they can over the course of the evening. At least Emery doesn't actually have to start until tomorrow.

Here and there, Emery tries to observe the market. While Fairford is a proper town with buildings and docks and whatnot, the bulk of the market is made from impermanent structures. Tents, booths that are easy to assemble and disassemble, carts, and so on. The people are an interesting assortment, and with Fairford being on the Ganaranth River they mostly seem to be water fairies. Emery catches glimpses of serpentine nixies, selkies with their cloaks firmly tied around their necks, and sirens with human faces and the bodies of enormous sea birds. And those are just the ones he can identify.

When Zel next gets a chance to actually speak with Emery again, Emery's seated in the back of a wagon, his bedroll laid out on the floor and a hand mirror in his hand. He is examining his reflection thoughtfully- his appearance is different from usual. Emery's not only turned into a girl, he's also given himself longer, dark hair and dark eyes. But the clothes are the same as what he was wearing earlier, so hopefully it won't take more than a moment for Zel to clue in.

At Zel's approach Emery lowers the mirror and looks at him.]

What do you think?

...!

[Zel double-takes, at first startled by a seeming stranger of human statue among them, then double-surprised when he hears Emery's voice.

because it's Emery!]

Your hair is dark.

[yeah no shit. but what else is he supposed to focus on! he didn't know he could do that; the most he's seen is blond guy to blonde girl...and maid outfit...]

[Emery laughs, and if the voice wasn't already enough to figure it out then that reaction probably seals it.

As is the inevitable quip:]

I guess it works as a disguise. I think you're more surprised now than you were when you first saw my tits.

[Emery idly lifts a hand to a loose lock that isn't in his braid and plays with it a little.]

So does it look good?

[stupid. OBVIOUSLY the hair is darker! but c'mon! he, he didn't know that could happen!

he grimaces at the remark on his surprise, forcing a scoff and turning his head; he can't help but peer sidelong, though, just as quickly giving up the pretense to just...look at him.]

I think so.

...I didn't know you could change hair colors.

I can change a lot of things. I told you, I'm just limited to human forms.

[Admittedly, Zel may have been distracted from the implications because when Emery said that it was the aforementioned first-time-Zel-saw-his-tits. His bare tits, anyway.]

Y'know when I first got these powers I wound up with a different hair color every day? But in the end I decided I like my natural color best. [It's a lot like his mom's, although hers is more of a strawberry blonde.

Or was, anyway.]

Ah...

[it's a faltering, trailed-off sound, still feeling unsteady from the revelation.

feeling lame:] It's good.

[what? the disguise? the natural color? yes!]

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