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]

[damn dunking on your own pc while telling mine how pretty he is

for a minute or two, Zel is quietly contemplative in putting these unfamiliar features into the context of the Emery he knows. colors are different, but the shapes and form are the same that he knows. surface-level, at least (he wonders if the rest of him has shifted in some way...or maybe not? why would there be a need to be for a day of hocking goblin goods?)

either way, he's pretty...]

...

[he wants to touch him.]

...

[blink.

where is he again?

blinkblink.

he straightens back up, clearing his throat, obviously a bit flustered.]

It--it-it's good. [already said that BUT WHATEVER!] Are...are you ready to take care of business? [..,] The, wares. I mean.

[fair_trouble]

[The thing about prolonged eye contact is the intimacy really makes Emery want to kiss Zelgadis. Especially when Zel looks all thoughtful and flustered and soft-eyed, and Emery can't stop thinking about how beautiful he is.

In fact, Emery's just started to lean forward when Zel straightens up, out of easy smooching range. A tragedy!!! Betrayal! Emery would pout if it weren't for the fact they are with the caravan right now, and the odds are good that the moment they liplocked someone would come along to interrupt them.

Especially since Emery is supposed to be helping with the evening and night shifts soon.]

Yeah, just let me get changed first. [Emery turns and grabs his pack and begins the process of pulling out clothes. He fortunately already knows what he's going to wear, so it's not going to be a long period of primping! Just enough time for him to change into a low-cut dress and tidy his hair up a bit more.]

[chimerad]

[it's a tragically easy spell to break, given the environment they're in (Zel's not feral enough to follow impulses in public; he'd die of shame and he still wants to live despite being a cursed freak). still, Zel feels a pang of regret in having to turn away; he pulls on the canvas of the wagon and stands in the remaining opening to give Emery some privacy whether he wants any or not. it's the principle!

he glimpses over his shoulder when he hears a telltale sign of being done enough just in time to be hollered over for more manual labor, which he heads off to with a soft grumble behind the mask. he's about reached his limits of public interaction and wants nothing more than to disappear to some secluded, quiet place...with Emery. he's not far from his mind in any of these wishes for respite, even if some of that respite becomes less restful the more he thinks about it.

it's something to look forward to, at least - an attainable goal, as opposed to his far-flung wishes that skirt along the edges of almost-impossible.

sigh.]

Yeah, yeah... [he'll hoist these stupid crates.]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery's indifferent to privacy, really, but he does smile a little when he notices Zel on guard. He's really taking this bodyguard role seriously.

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.]

[chimerad]

[the moment it's clear that Emery's been free from the shackle of commerce and starts on his way back, his steps are shadowed. Zel lets himself be heard, not inclined to scaring him.]

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!]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery recognizes those heavy, broody footsteps; a moment later he catches a glimpse in his peripheral and looks over to see Zel falling into step nearby. He's not surprised to see Zelgadis.

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.

[chimerad]

[he grunts, unenthused. the Hob can choke on his own happiness for all Zel cares.

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.

[fair_trouble]

That again, huh?

[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.]

[chimerad]

…

[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?

[fair_trouble]

[Truly Zelgadis is devoted. A man of rigid principles. And other rigid things.]

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.]

[chimerad]

[he interprets "too crowded" as "we are bunking with a bunch of goblins" and grimaces.]

They're not going to throw us in subspace again so we don't take up room?

[fair_trouble]

Of course not, silly, nobody's trying to arrest us this time.

[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.]

[chimerad]

[true: the privacy was nice. the musty vegetable smell wasn't. Emery's smell was. the ergonomics weren't.

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.]

[fair_trouble]

[Emery takes the arm he doesn't technically need to help clamber into the wagon. It's mostly the caravan's kids sleeping back here, piled up with their limbs tangling together, like a heap of green leaves. Some of them are snoring.

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.]

[chimerad]

[the act was so inoffensive-yet-unexpected that it leaves Zel rather stunlocked, eyes widening with a flutter. he stands frozen mid-turn, breath stuck and chest aching very suddenly and very intensely; it takes being that still to keep from overreacting in some weird or dramatic way.

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.]

[fair_trouble]

[Astonishing how one itty-bitty little kiss is still enough to make Zel freeze up like this. It's simultaneously very endearing and also... kind of sad if Emery lets himself think about it. How few kisses and hugs has Zelgadis gotten in his life that Emery can affect him like this? Obviously not many since he got cursed, and even before that Emery suspects that none of the men who raised Zel- even the ones who actually raised Zel- were probably the snuggly type.

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.]

[chimerad]

[yeah...yeah... Zel's down bad. he can't pretend he's not. maybe he could be inclined to believe it's just infatuation, but even then it's a stretch. as much as attraction plays into it (and it is playing right now, goddamn), Zel keeps thinking beyond that. what he can do to make his life easier. how he can be better for him. how to make him happy.

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.]

[fair_trouble]

[By the time Zel gets up, Emery will... still be fast asleep. Hey, he was working hard late into the night AND he's picked a much more comfortable spot to sleep than Zel did. So the only sounds Zel will be picking up from Emery are those of him softly breathing as he sleeps. Should Zel choose to go take a peek, he will also be able to see that Emery has gone back to his usual appearance.

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!

[chimerad]

[Zel's ear twitches at the ruckus, at Emery's puff surprise, and climbs to his feet. there is no real danger from the kids beyond a bad precedent set for the morning, but he's not mean enough to leave Emery to that fate.

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.]

[fair_trouble]

[Truly, he is Emery's steadfast dark knight.

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?

[chimerad]

[flatly:] Yeah.

[...]

But you can sleep more, if you need it. Nothing's being packed up in a hurry, and we can leave whenever you want.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery examines Zel's expression, considering.]

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?]

[chimerad]

[while he forces his expression to stay deadpan, the way his eye squints makes it clear he's trying to not make a face. stop dangling that carrot!!!]

...I'd imagine that'd just be cause to get heckled. Given the company.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery makes a dismissive gesture.]

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.]

[chimerad]

[he makes a face.]

There's kids around.