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]

[maybe a bit too quickly:] Yeah. [he at least looks embarrassed to justify it, straightening up and clearing his throat.] I mean-- anything's fine. Two, two days, right?

[two days! it almost...? feels like a vacation? there's an apprehension to that sense of eagerness, dictated by past experiences on boats.

...but those experiences involved Lina and such.

...but they did get attacked by a water spirit not even a week ago.

...

yeah. yeah, cabin time.

Zel's hand lingers on Emery's back, less as a lead and more as an anchor while wandering away from the upper deck and into that little cabin. it's honestly not the most enchanting of lodgings, but anywhere small and quiet with Emery feels a million times better than being in the open unknown, exposed to other eyes and expectations.

maybe he's secretly a fourth dragon, what with that itchy need to be reclusive and hoard a treasure. the thought isn't even in the stratosphere of his mind once he's pushed the door closed with his back and slumped slightly against it, eyes on Emery, and the apprehension oscillates back to a fluttery, twitterpated feeling.

beat. blink.]

We didn't even get walked around the vessel. [he frowns. how are they going to know where things are!!

...not the general things. he knows boat layouts. but like...where on this vessel they're to go to grab food or avoid being underfoot from the crew...]

[fair_trouble]

[There's a feeling of warmth where Zel's hand lingers on Emery's back, perhaps less from Zel's body heat and more from the pleasure of the contact. Emery's always been a physically affectionate sort, and he's usually been the one initiating from the earliest days of their relationship. The way things have been shifting and how much more comfortable Zelgadis has gotten with doing this kind of thing is heartening.

Once they've gotten back to the safety of their cabin, Emery takes a seat on their bunk and looks over at Zel.

Walking...? Ah. Emery shrugs.]

Eh, we'll have time to walk around when we need it.

[It'll probably be easier to find the dining hall or whatever than it is for Zel (and maybe Emery a bit, shhh) to process the whole Official Relationship Upgrade.]

[chimerad]

[reasonable enough. Zel nods faintly, pushing away from the door and shifting his weight with the movement of the vessel, and carefully sits down next to Emery, eyes wincing a little while the cot has to negotiate with the weight.]

When you want me to find out, tell me. I'll look around.

[fair_trouble]

[Emery lifts an eyebrow.] Hey now, I can manage walking around a boat without getting into too much trouble! [Probably.]

[chimerad]

[they didn't mean it like that!! >:T]

I-I know, I only... [they deflate a little, unable to come up with a good reasoning that doesn't sound lame.] Right. Might be better if I don't tilt the boat just by...standing around. I guess.

[it's just so easy to make the problem his problem.]

[fair_trouble]

[Zel pls]

Are you always this protective of people, or is this a dating privilege?

[Is Emery ~special?~ *sparkle sparkle*

Or is it because Zel normally hangs out with way stronger people than an effete lad whose primary skill is Looking Pretty]

[chimerad]

[Zel's face darkens with a blush, prompting a pointed look elsewhere.

dry:] M-maybe I'm the one needing protecting. Foreign land and all.

[fair_trouble]

[Zel can avert his gaze all he wants, but that won't stop Emery from looking at him. And smiling.]

Don't worry. I won't let anyone take advantage of you.

[Because that's Emery's job, of course.]