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]

[Their surroundings continue to look surprisingly innocent and idyllic. Emerald greenery, bright blue sky, gently sloped pathways… Speaking of pathways, Emery notes that the ones in the fae realm aren’t a perfect match to the ones on the human side of things.

It’s not enough to make navigation a problem, it’s just one of those little surprises and he’s content to leisurely make his way down to the main road while leading Zel by the hand. Even if Zel seems more dubious about things.]

Something on your mind?

[chimerad]

Mn. A few things. [Mazoku things.] But I don't want to jump to any conclusions. You know this place better than I do, so...I have to trust your intuition more than mine.

[which is a weird thing to not only admit, but let play out. few are the people he trusts in such a fashion - down to counted on but one hand, really.]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery can’t read Zel's mind, but he does know Zel well enough to guess that kind of trust doesn’t come easy, and he gives Zel a soft smile in return.]

We’ll be fine. I mean, with my irresistible charm and encyclopedic knowledge and you being an indestructible sorcerer-swordsman, I think we have our bases covered~

[Emery can just charm the socks off of whoever’s between him and whatever info he needs to gather, and if somehow he winds up in actual danger Zel can just hit the threat until it stops moving! It’s a perfect strategy!

At any rate, it’s a relatively short walk to the lake and village, only about twenty minutes of walking before it’s visible down the road, at the bottom of yet another slope. It’s a picturesque looking place, with a few boats out on the lake. The buildings are a mixture of fairly normal looking houses and a lot of structures similar to dovecotes.]



This must be it. Calanthe should be waiting for me at the inn.

[Emery turns to Zel.]

Does my hair look okay?

[chimerad]

[after a careful look-around of the area, Emery's question prompts Zel to look back at him and consider it thoughtfully.

after a beat, he reaches and carefully brushes a flyaway out of Emery's face.]

Yeah. [but his opinion might be a touch biased.]

...Do you not want me to follow too closely? For your work.

[fair_trouble]

[Zel’s opinion probably is biased, but it does earn another smile out of Emery. Alas, they can’t linger on the moment when there are other concerns at hand.]

…I think for the time being it’ll be better if Calanthe doesn’t realize I brought you along. [Emery considers.] Did she seem to notice you yesterday?

[chimerad]

She didn't run directly into me or stop to look back, if that's what you mean. [he frowns while trying to recall properly.] I don't think so, at least.

I can hang back, then. Still close enough to hear. [the pointy ears aren't just for show and teasing.]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery nods.]

That’s what I was thinking. You can enter the inn after I do- try and make it look like we’re not together.

[...Not together as in not-traveling-together, not… not-together-together? Although they’ll probably need to avoid that too, actually.

In that case he’d better give Zel a kiss while he can.]

Alright, before we head down-

[And Emery sets a hand on Zel’s shoulder and leans in to do that. Smooch.]

[chimerad]

[Zel, in the semi-distracted state he's in, nearly misses the cue, but catches the kiss before his head can turn to sweep another look around. he stills, then carefully presses back against the kiss before parting.]

Look my way if you need me.

[for however discrete he likes to fashion himself, he's still easy to spot.]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery nods at Zel and then, with that game plan in mind, turns and heads down.

The village is, in some respects, a fairly typical village-in-the-early-morning; there’s a pair of kids romping around with a big shaggy dog, housewives doing laundry out in the sunshine, a baker setting out his wares… it just happens to be that all of these people have pointy ears and some of them are green. (Their skin, not just their ears.)

Also within like a minute of setting foot into the village Emery spots a trio of tiny, colorful, winged girls fluttering around and while he resists the urge to double-take he does wind up making eye contact. However, a smile and a greeting allows him to segue into a conversation about the village and the three girls offering to guide him to the inn.

Emery accepts the offer and his diminutive flying escorts lead him to a building near the village center. There’s a sign designating it as the inn but that in and of itself isn’t needed for Emery to know he’s got the right place. About a third of the building is taken up by a giant solarium with wall-to-wall windows and a glass roof, and through that he can clearly see the main lounge and dining area of the inn. And seated at one of the tables is Calanthe.

Her hood’s down so the odd features she kept hidden in the human realm are now clearly visible: Pointed ears, and white hair with a bright shock of fuchsia in it.

Emery bids farewell to the girls outside the front door and heads inside.]

[chimerad]

[Emery did tell him how fairly mundane things were, yet Zelgadis still can't help but feel strange about it. an entirely different realm...reflecting the one he knew so well? maybe it's not too unlike the lands beyond the broken barrier, but that was the same plane, so there was cause for that to make sense! here, it's...just strange.

...is that why the superiors keep tabs on things? to reflect it? why, then?

he'll have to set that aside for now: he's waited a fair amount of time to move, to head toward the building Emery was led to. that solarium...that, at least, suits the notion of a different realm: it's too palatial in design sensibility for any humble town he'd come across before.

that said, it's handy: he needn't even come in to keep tabs on his beau; he takes point with his back against a tree, head canted down just enough for him to still peer and take stock of where Emery is sitting...and with whom.

is that her? the one who brushed past him two nights before? she definitely has an otherworldly quality...]

[fair_trouble]

[Calanthe has picked a table in a particularly sunny spot and is basking in the light when Emery enters. What follows is an exchange that Zel probably won’t be able to hear from outside but is also fairly mundane:

“Emery. You’re here.”]

Yeah, I just arrived. You’ve picked a nice spot.

[Emery takes a seat next to Calanthe as she responds “Mm. I wish we were allowed to sleep down here.”]

It’d still be dark at night you know.

[“Yes, but there would be more light when you woke up.”

Emery laughs, earning him a puzzled look from Calanthe.

The two of them make a bit more small talk and at one point the innkeeper comes over to ask if Emery wants anything. He politely turns her down and she smiles and heads off to attend to some other guests.

When she turns around it reveals a cow-like tail poking out of her skirt and, more startling, a low cut shirt exposing a hollow back, inside which a tiny swaddled infant is taking a nap.]

So, Callie, you had some things you wanted to tell me?

[“That’s right. Let’s go to my room.”

Unfortunately for Zel’s surveillance, the solarium is a bit too public for any kind of clandestine discussion. Emery and Calanthe stand up and head further into the inn; Calanthe’s movements are noticeably light and graceful.]

[chimerad]

[a moment after they move out of view, Zel pushes away from the tree and starts to walk, following the street and turning in the direction of where they had vanished, feigning ignorance of where the entrance would be while searching out glimpses in any nearby windows. no matter what level of trust there is, having Emery out of sight for even a moment makes him anxious, especially if he can't even see any signs.

with the move fruitless, he finally opts for entering the in proper and looking about as any newcomer would to find a seat, tensing up reflexively at being abruptly greeted by the woman on duty meandering through tables. he dips his head.]

I'll...I can find a space myself, thanks...

feel free 2 make up Weird Fae Shit if u want/aplogies 2 zel for making him hang out with npcs

[fair_trouble]

[“Alright dear, I’ll bring you a menu when you find a spot? We serve drinks all day and breakfasts in the morning.”

Zel will get some looks of mild curiosity from the other people in the room, which doubtless will not help with the poor lad’s discomfort. The solarium isn’t very busy at this time of day, so there’s only a few people around and despite the fact that these people are of varying sizes, shapes, and hues, Zel stands out by virtue of not being a familiar blue face.

Fortunately the innkeeper is not a nosy type and she’s less interested in where Zel came from and who he is and more in if she can get him to pay for some tea.

Good luck fobbing her off- Emery will be staying up in Calanthe’s inn room for a while.]

his suffering needs to be complete

[chimerad]

[the solarium's charm fades when Zel finds he wants a proper wall to his back; the feeling of being perceived is compounded by all this glass. even so, this isn't about him.

where...where is Emery? it takes a few furtive, spaced-out glances around at colorful hair and assorted appendages for him to be certain that both Emery and his contact aren't in the public area, and even then he wants to reconfirm, but--]

Oh-- [menu. right. okay. be normal, Zel.] Just...whatever the house specialty is, thanks.

[hopefully they take Seyruun or Atlas coin...since he is definitely not thinking about payments right now. instead he's thinking about how he definitely caught someone peering his way and he doesn't know if he should dodge that or glare back. shit. don't fuck up--]

[fair_trouble]

[The innkeeper brightens at the mention of the house specialty, then seems to think a moment and looks at Zel more skeptically. “You alright with black soup then? Thick or thin?”

Throughout the rest of the room, there are a few possibilities for people who may be gawking at the hideous monstrosity that is Zelgadis. A cluster of small winged fairies seated around a small bowl of beer, distributing amongst themselves with a tiny ladle and tiny cups. An elfen couple having breakfast. An old lady watering the plants. A man perusing the menu while occasionally leaning over to nibble at a potted thing of grass by his side.

Absolutely no Emerys anywhere to be seen, though.]

[chimerad]

[this would be leagues easier without the unintentional pressure Zel's putting on himself to avoid becoming a liability - this squeeze of unease, where all the questions Emery answered won't cover what he should've asked. how normal was normal when "act normal" was the request and all the denizens of the inn looked less normal in ways than he did?!

where is Emery... how is he supposed to catch glimpse of a signal for help like this?! should he be on the move? ask for a room? he just asked for whatever the hell a 'thin black soup' is...

...which looks...and smells...fine?

but it tastes utterly vile, and it's only a miracle Zel doesn't spit it outright; the flinch he does is telling enough. now there's questions of poison or sickness and now the chef's getting roped into this and oh no.

this is the direct opposite of inconspicuous. this is hell.]

[fair_trouble]

[Whilst Zelgadis is suffering in hell, let’s leave him to suffer his agonies while we hear the exposition Emery is getting.

The first thing Calanthe says after the door is locked and the two of them are seated on the bed is “Are you familiar with the name Merry Morgan?”

It is indeed one Emery has heard before, having picked it up here and there from gossip on the Field Lord’s estate. Lady Morgan is fae nobility of a slightly higher rank than the Field Lord that Emery belongs to, and she presides over the Ganarath River and its tributaries. In the human realm, the river is primarily located in Southern Lyzeille and runs into the Demon Sea, but originates in Ralteague. Obviously, as it’s such an immense river, it holds great importance to the region in both realms.

“Recently, there have been rumors of strange activities on Lady Morgan’s estate.”

The lady has been meeting with all sorts of spirits, including fire spirits- and while most of them could be attributed to Lady Morgan being in a sociable mood, such a case is unlikely with her opposing element. She has also been importing goods from outside the former barrier lands, but being very secretive about what precisely is being ordered. She has, however, recently constructed a tower attached to her castle, in which it is said the goods are being specially stored.

“But what has the Field Lord particularly worried is the influx of scouts she has been sending to the human realm.”

Having a handful of servants who go into the human realm occasionally isn’t unusual and is considered perfectly acceptable- with the fae realm being so tightly connected to the human realm it’s really just common sense to keep an eye on things- but a sudden increase may mean that Merry Morgan is planning on doing something in the human realm. And that isn’t an action the fairy lords are supposed to take idly, or in secret.

So that’s the gist of Emery’s job now: Find out what Lady Merry Morgan is up to, if anything, try to get evidence if it’s something prosecutable in the High Courts, and bring that information back to the Field Lord who will hopefully either be assuaged that nothing is wrong or (and Emery suspects this is the scenario that’s hoped for) will be able to strike a blow against one of his rivals.

Besides talking about all this, Calanthe and Emery spend a little time going over some relevant documents that Calanthe has brought along and coming up with a cover story and disguise for Emery to use. And eventually they’ve talked through everything enough that Calanthe is satisfied and Emery can gracefully head back down to the solarium…

…Still followed by Calanthe because she needs to check out. Welp, at least he can see how Zel’s getting on and as Emery reenters the solarium, the answer appears to be: not well!



The first thing Emery notices is the sound of a baby wailing. This is the innkeeper’s baby, which she has taken out of her back and is holding in her arms next to Zel’s table, trying patiently to soothe the howling beast. Another cow-tailed fae- the chef, Emery guesses- is asking Zel questions like “Is there too much nitrogen? Not enough?” and several of the other guests are watching the exchange with interest.

At least it isn’t too inconspicuous for Emery to be looking in Zel’s direction, considering the disturbance. Calanthe is also staring, because you know, Zel hasn’t had a bad enough day yet. In a rush of heroism, Emery moves over and asks:]

Is everything okay here?

[chimerad]

[it's hard to not look so desperately relieved as Zelgadis feels in seeing Emery again, but it's accompanied by abject mortification. this is heinously embarrassing: all five senses are being assaulted all at once and escape has an extremely slim chance of a dignified escape.

but it begs the question as to whether or not he should be confirming he even knows Emery or not: will that help or hinder him?]

It...it's fine. [he lifts his hands, one of them reflexively moving to pull up his mask.] Sorry, I--

[okay, now the chef wants to know if his food was so bad he's got to mask up.]

Er, no, that's not...

[fair_trouble]

[Emery glances at the offending dish. Is that black soup? Oh dear.]

Hmm…

[Emery moves over to Zel’s side and picks up the bowl and spoon, as one does. He then walks over to Calanthe and hands it to her.]

Here, Calanthe, try this.

[Calanthe blinks, but takes the proffered soup and has a mouthful of it. She downs it as easily and happily as someone might down a mouthful of chicken noodle. Afterwards, she licks her lips and says “It’s good. There’s just the right amount of sulfur in it.”

The chef looks somewhat mollified by the praise, but is still shooting concerned looks at Zel, so Emery goes and claps a hand on the chef’s shoulder.]

Some people just don’t have the right kind of stomach for black soup. I knew a sylph who couldn’t digest it at all. I’m sure there’s something else that will work fine~

[In what is hopefully an improvement of the previous situation, Zel will now find himself dragged into going over the menu with Emery and the chef, with Emery casually pointing out things that sound edible.]

Oh! Smoked trout sounds good.

[Calanthe in the meantime has claimed Zel’s soup for her own and has retreated with the innkeeper and baby to handle the process of checking out.]

[chimerad]

[sulfur?! thankfully half of Zel's face is covered to hide the way his mouth opens in outrage. were they trying to kill him?!? and what's this about smoked trout? is that normal or will the trout show up alive and with a lit cigar?!

at least the hullabaloo has been dispelled by this, but he's not out of the woods yet. he lets Emery steer the chef and get him and the server and her squalling child to finally leave the table, and even then Zel doesn't dare breathe any relief.

uttered, barely audible:] ...Sorry. Didn't mean...for any of that to happen. [and he wants to die, thanks.]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery really has to lean in in order to catch that, and he murmurs in return:]

Really? I thought you loved big public scenes like that.

[Just like Zel loves being kicked while he’s down, naturally. In a more contrite tone, Emery continues:]



Seriously though, I’m sorry I didn’t think about warning you- fairies don’t always have the same palate as humans. Or digestive systems. Most of what was served at the- at my boss’s place was human-friendly, and stuff like black soup was considered peasant dishes, so… I guess we all learned a lesson today, huh?

[chimerad]

[it's easy for Emery to tell how embarrassed Zel is, even with most of his face obscured by hair or fabric...it's in the rigid posture and the sullen mumbling. thank goodness he has no stairs he must climb, he'd likely just fall up or down them.]

...Right. [so much for subtlety.]

Is it...even fine to be chatting? [will that blow Emery's cover? does he have a cover? why is Zel the only one covered up this is the opposite of inconspicuous, what a disaster.]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery has also considered the possibility, but Calanthe doesn’t seem to have recognized Zel, so he’s come up with the perfect excuse for them to be chatting:]

Just pretend that I’m a very attractive stranger who decided to interfere in your business.

[Raising his voice to a bit above the murmur he’s been speaking in, Emery continues.]

So you just arrived in town too, huh? How are you finding the place so far?

[chimerad]

...Different. Than...what I expected.

[...]

Since you ordered it...are you going to eat this fish-thing with me? When it shows up. Or do you just do that. Order things for people.

[fair_trouble]

I thought it would be more diplomatic if you ate something. I don’t think the chef’s pride would recover easily if you refused to eat anything they made.

[And Emery has had smoked meat dishes before so he’s like 99% sure the trout will actually be edible.]

But we can split it if you like. You don’t want a lonely meal, huh~?