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]

[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~?

[chimerad]

[a touch dry, with a hint of a smirk:] If you try it first and keel over, I'll at least know to cut my losses.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery gasps in mock outrage.]

And after I went to the trouble of rescuing you! How cruel!

[It isn’t too long before the innkeeper shows up, bringing along a small plate with a fish filet (if Zelgadis has ever had barbequed fish it is basically that but with a smokier flavor) topped with a creamy sauce and a side of greens.

Despite his complaint, Emery does indeed go ahead and take the first forkful.]

Well, either it’s safe or the toxins are slow acting. Here.

[He hands Zel the fork in case he wants to try some. Maybe get the taste of black soup from out of his mouth.]

[chimerad]

[the teasing takes the edge off, though only briefly; Zel cannot entirely be free of the skin-crawling feeling of being too perceived, and that's only reinforced when he can catch glimpse of the innkeeper shooting fast glances over toward them before he's opted to taking his mask off again.

he sighs, taking the fork, forgetting decorum and asking for a second so it's not that obvious they know each other. just shut up and eat, Zel.]

...Decent.

[also, not likely to kill him.]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery pats Zel’s shoulder once the other man acknowledges the edibility of the fish.]

Happy to have helped~

[...And having said that, Emery gets back to his feet. Sorry Zel, but Calanthe just emerged into the solarium with a bag slung over her shoulder and Emery is now moving over to talk to her.

“Why did you get involved with the soup guy?”]

I’m a bleeding heart by nature. If I see someone in trouble, of course I’m going to try and help.

[“...You should worry more about avoiding attention.”]

Relax, I know what I’m doing.

[“Well, I guess that’s alright then. Here. I’ll talk to you later.”]

See you around~

[Calanthe hands Emery a piece of amber that he slips into his pocket. She then leaves the inn but alas, Emery still does not return to his Zelgadis’s side! Instead he goes over to the innkeeper and starts asking questions about the lake and if there’s a place he can get fishing gear in town.

And then Emery leaves the inn.]

[chimerad]

[the space Emery leaves behind seems to start to fill back up with the unease he had dispelled so easily, and Zel is now internally flaying himself for being so stupid as to order anything and be saddled with the task of actually finishing it out. probably a good idea ultimately - more calories to burn means more magic, after all. still...

engh. whatever. pretend you're Lina or Gourry and just hork it down, man! there's places to be, apparently!

"soup guy"......he kind of wants to die.

in fifteen minutes or so, he finishes up, dropping a small handful of coin on the table in lieu of even asking how much it could be (how much could a fey fish cost? a dollar?) before heading out, eyes forward, painfully aware of eyes following him. mess.

from there, it's a matter of looking about to see where his better half has wandered off to...]

[fair_trouble]

[Zel may catch the innkeeper going “...Isn’t this currency from-” before he leaves, but fortunately nobody bothers chasing after the weird hooded guy.

Emery is by the lake, and hopefully Zel was eavesdropping on Emery’s conversation with the innkeeper back at the inn so he’d know to look there. That was Emery’s intention, anyway! Either way, Emery’s not going anywhere until Zel catches up with him.

He’s found a relatively private corner of the lake- visible, but there’s nobody else within earshot- and is idly trying and failing to skip stones. His expression is distant, but once Zel shows up Emery’s mouth twitches into a smile despite Zel’s no doubt abject misery.]



Hey. Enjoy your meal?

[Please don’t dunk him in the lake.]

[chimerad]

Didn't die.

[so there's that. and honestly? if anyone deserves to be in the bottom of that lake, it's Zel. he should just walk in there, he has no buoyancy anyway...]

Did everything go alright?

[fair_trouble]

[Emery’s expression softens into something more concerned, but he otherwise doesn’t fuss. Zel will probably get over any embarrassment once he’s distracted, right?]

Yeah. Callie gave me the full story and we discussed a basic plan of action. [One which Emery figures will be easy to modify to include a Zelgadis in it.] It’s a pity you didn’t enjoy your meal, because we’ll probably be eating more fish in the future. You and I are going on a fishing trip~

[chimerad]

[he tilts his head slightly.]

Somewhere in this realm? Or back on the normal continent?

[fair_trouble]

Here! We’re going to the Ganarath River- the name’s the same in both realms, but Merry Morgan’s palace is located at the source, and it’s a very popular fishing spot. Lots of people travel there, so it’s not gonna seem strange if two people show up from abroad.

[Emery glances around, confirming they’re alone before he sits down to elaborate.]

So Merry Morgan is a noblewoman who presides over the Ganarath River and its tributaries…

[And then there’s a big infodump I’m not typing out twice when there’s a perfectly good summary right here. Hopefully, Zel will find the story more digestible than the soup was. Once Emery's laid out the essentials he looks at Zel expectantly, awaiting any questions.]

[chimerad]

...

[so...some fae bigwig might be making a play back in the human realm? Mazoku-coded indeed.]

Have you interacted with this Merry Morgan before? Will she know who you are?

[fair_trouble]

Never met her in my life. And if we can get through this without changing that, so much the better.

[Though Emery wonders, briefly, if Merry Morgan did see his actual face if she might pick up on a resemblance to the Field Lord. That’s a weird feeling.]

[chimerad]

[a covert mission, then. he considers that for a bit, hand on his hip as he watches the water.]

I guess...this face of mine will be useful for something. It's pretty distracting, compared to one like yours.

[fair_trouble]

[That earns Zel a sideways glance.]



Are you trying to insinuate that I have a plain face?

[Are you saying that Emery has a HOMELY COUNTENANCE that is BENEATH NOTICE? Huh???]

[chimerad]

Eh-?

[beat. blink.

he looks down and sees that look and flushes.]

N-no, I meant...mine's...ugly enough to draw attention. You know that.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery resists the urge to sigh and gets to his feet so that he can give Zel’s cheek an exasperated poke.]

You're not ugly, and if you draw attention it’ll be because everyone’s wondering who that mysterious, handsome man is. What is his agenda? Is he on a sacred mission? Running from a tragic past? Does he have a girlfriend? Perhaps five girlfriends?