Emery Dale (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fair_trouble) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thehauntedfrequency2023-10-10 07:21 pm
fair_trouble) wrote in thehauntedfrequency2023-10-10 07:21 pm
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?
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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Emery finishes changing quickly enough and clambers out of the wagon, while poor Zel is already being called in for manual labor. Emery makes sure to give him a wave on his way to working the booth.]
See you later tonight~!
[And after that they're both going to be too busy for much more than an occasional glimpse of one another.
There's a steady stream of customers, a significant portion of which are drawn in by Emery's cleavage judging by the general direction of their gazes. Never mind that some of those looks come from eyes that are distinctly nonhuman, it seems tits are still widely popular. Emery's not necessarily the fastest at processing customers or the hardest of bargainers, but he is very good at convincing people that they want whatever he's selling and the more seasoned merchants he's working with help balance out his minor weaknesses.
The sun sets and various lanterns and lamps light up across the market, giving the place an even more magical atmosphere. But the booth stays open long past that point. It's getting late, about an hour past midnight (noon, in the human realm), when the goblins finally dismiss Emery to get some sleep. Perhaps they'd noticed how even Emery's bright smile is starting to flag.
Emery heads back to the wagons, yawning and dodging various late night shoppers. Now where has his better half gone off to? If Zel's sensible, Emery figures he'll be sleeping somewhere, but he suspects Zel is serious-minded enough to have stayed up for him.]
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That was much more than just 'lending a hand,' if you ask me. [he's slightly peeved at how long that took; all he'd had to do after hauling crates was skulk around like a weirdo! which, granted, he's able to do, but...hrngh. this is a provincial, simple town, he had to keep moving from spot to spot while also making sure he could keep Emery in view.
annoying!]
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What does surprise him is the little swell of relief he feels at knowing Zel's nearby once more.
Stowing that thought away for later scrutiny, Emery laughs off Zel's complaint.]
It was a productive night for sales. I hope the Hob's happy.
[He'd better be after asking Emery to let customers ogle him all night! (The Hob did not ask for that.)
Emery deliberately slows his pace and moves closer to Zel, so that they're walking side by side.]
You didn't have to stay up for me, you know.
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he falls into closer step at Emery's arm.
flatly:] I'd be a worthless bodyguard if I didn't.
[and besides! what else was he gonna do? wander off on his own and pine? sure, he's an old pro at that, but that was before he had someone to look out for. also: not his country. it's not like meandering the backroads to Atlas City or anything.
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[Emery tugs off the tie at the end of his braid and begins to run his fingers through his hair, loosening the dark strands.]
Well since you're so concerned about your duties, I expect you to also stay close to me tonight. ♥
[He gives Zel a sideways glance and a smile, followed by a quick pat on the arm.]
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[Zel doesn’t answer aloud, which is something of an answer in of itself, isn’t it?
he wishes he could’ve undone that braid for him.]
Are we staying with the wagons tonight?
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Mm. I already set up a bedroll in one of the wagons, though if it's too crowded for you we can sleep outside. [Still near the caravan, alas, but Zel might consider it preferable to sleeping in the same wagon as some goblins.]
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They're not going to throw us in subspace again so we don't take up room?
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[Though really, was it so bad? Sure they slept on a floor and had to fit themselves in with the peas and potatoes and whatnot- but at least they got to be alone together! Emery's extroverted enough to enjoy hanging around the caravan, but that doesn't mean he's not already missing the benefits of when it's just him and Zel.]
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sigh. it must be pathetic to be pining for more cozy time after even that much...is he getting spoiled? soft? Emery what have you done to the man.
as is typical, Zel gets quieter as they draw near people; he holds an arm out if Emery wants it for help up into the wagon, himself lingering to scan around the area. it's as much for sniffing out trouble as it is just putting the space to better memory. maybe it's not worth remembering in the long-term, but right now feels right to.
he thinks: were this a stupider trip, these would all be fishmen.]
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While Zel scans the area Emery also looks around, making sure that everyone's asleep. Looks like they have a lucky moment, and that everyone who's still up is busy elsewhere.
Quietly:]
Zel.
[Once he catches Zel's eye, Emery briefly holds up a finger in front of his lips in a 'shhh' gesture. And then he leans down and kisses him. Just a small thing, a little gesture of affection before they have to get ready for bed.]
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he remains stuck in place after Emery's parted, near to the point where it might be worth asking if he just had a brain aneurism, but after a beat, he blinks and remembers to breathe again.
barely audible:] ...Good night.
[he has to go sit up near he wagon and stew in a storm of feelings now, don't mind him. bodyguards just do that.]
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Well, the sooner Emery turns in the sooner it will be tomorrow and they'll be free to seek out some privacy in which Emery can dote to his heart's content.]
Good night. Get some sleep.
[And with a last smile, Emery turns away. He won't be settling in immediately-immediately, still needing to clean up and change into sleepwear, but he does hurry through his bedtime routines. It won't be long until he's curled up in his bedroll, tired enough to easily tune out the snoring of the goblins.]
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damn.
Zel picks at flecks of stone on his face, as if he could just...peel them off. find the soft flesh underneath. be normal. better. for him.
he listens to Emery winding down, every rustle and exhalation strident to his ears, aching to touch and taste him. feel warm, not just through his mouth or the tickle of his ears. losing himself in those yearning thoughts, he doesn't sleep too soundly (sitting up against the wagon wheel didn't help either), but he does drift off eventually, blinking blearily awake when he hears some of the goblins walking about to prep for breakfast.
Zel grunts, sitting up and grimacing against the stiffness of his back and neck, turning and listening for Emery.]
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Alas for sleeping beauty here, Emery won't be able to stay fast asleep for that much longer. The kids, who went to sleep at a much earlier hour, are starting to stir. The snoring green pile in the middle of the wagon begins shifting, wriggling, and ultimately breaking apart as the children get up. They start talking amongst themselves, with various degrees of awareness that other people are still trying to sleep.
"Good morning Roklig, good morning Ganikk, good morning Zibbug, good morning-" "D'you think breakfast is ready yet?" "I want pancakes!" "I'm hungry!" "-morning Shrigglig, good morning Yadsnit, good morning-" "Ew, did you pee the bed?" "Did not!" "Did too!" "-good morning Bloknig-" "Hey, that's my pillow!" "No it's mine! Give it back!"
Needless to say, Emery is just beginning to stir when one of the squabbling goblin children falls back and lands solidly on Emery's stomach.]
Whuff!
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after rolling his shoulder, he sighs, moving around to the back of the wagon and pulling the canvas flaps back with a tired scowl. unmasked, backlit, it's pretty scary!
that clears most of them. the ones who are frozen in fear get a slight turn of his head.]
Go on.
[they go.
rescue complete. easy.]
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Emery sits up, watching the last of the kids skedaddling with no small amount of bewilderment. He hasn't entirely processed what was going on. Like five seconds ago he was dreaming, there were people talking, something knocked the wind out of him, and then there was a stampede.]
What... Um?
[Very eloquent! Emery ruffles a hand through his hair and turns to look at Zel while he tries to settle on a question.]
It's morning, is it?
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[...]
But you can sleep more, if you need it. Nothing's being packed up in a hurry, and we can leave whenever you want.
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If I lie down again, will you join me? [Doesn't it look tempting? Curling up with Emery, all rumpled from sleep, the blankets warmed up from his body?]
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...I'd imagine that'd just be cause to get heckled. Given the company.
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Pshh. I'm sure it would just be petty jealousy. You've no need to pay attention to such trifles~!
[Who cares if some random goblins make fun of you etc.]
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There's kids around.
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