πΉππππππ πΉπ ππΆ πππ (they/them) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
Dinner sounds great right now.
[ Hunter stays cuddled up against their feathers. ]
-- You brought dessert?
[ Hunter stays cuddled up against their feathers. ]
-- You brought dessert?
I could eat. Order whatever you want, I'm half-full of cheese as it is.
[Both figuratively and literally, in this case. He grabs his staff from where he typically rests it against the wall, heading for the balcony.]
Text me if you want me to pick it up on my way back. See you guys in a bit!
[Don't look, Rue, he's just jumping over the railing like usual. Have fun, he'll be back later <3 ]
[Both figuratively and literally, in this case. He grabs his staff from where he typically rests it against the wall, heading for the balcony.]
Text me if you want me to pick it up on my way back. See you guys in a bit!
[Don't look, Rue, he's just jumping over the railing like usual. Have fun, he'll be back later <3 ]
[A little kiss blown Casey's way before Rue is dragging Hunter in for a proper cuddle and kiss, so they can affectionately preen his hair with their beak. Give them a moment or two to fuss and he'll be set free again.]
We did! Casey and I stopped by the bakery near by shop, have you been there before? They have the most delicate pastries.
We did! Casey and I stopped by the bakery near by shop, have you been there before? They have the most delicate pastries.
[ Hunter laughs a little; that preening tickles. As far as he's concerned, Rue can fuss all they like.
(Casey gets a small wave as he goes. Thanks boyfriend, you're the best.) ]
I haven't been IN it? But I've seen it. Everything looks too pretty to eat.
(Casey gets a small wave as he goes. Thanks boyfriend, you're the best.) ]
I haven't been IN it? But I've seen it. Everything looks too pretty to eat.
Three!
[Rue is all too happy to join Caduceus for a little outdoor tea party while the weather is clear, their gentle surprise show in the way their feathers ruffle up at the number.]
How fortuitous! Thirteen must have seen much potential in your world to bring so many along after your arrival. [And so quickly too!] It must be a great deal to adjust to, after only you and Caleb.
[Rue is all too happy to join Caduceus for a little outdoor tea party while the weather is clear, their gentle surprise show in the way their feathers ruffle up at the number.]
How fortuitous! Thirteen must have seen much potential in your world to bring so many along after your arrival. [And so quickly too!] It must be a great deal to adjust to, after only you and Caleb.
It's been interesting. I think only one will be moving in, from the sounds of things, so the place won't be too crowded. Hopefully we'll have plenty of visits.
[It's subtle, and he hides it well, but there's some slight apprehension behind his smile. Things have been a bit weird.]
The one moving in- her name is Beau. She can come across as a little abrasive [understatement] but she's a good person, has a lot of heart. I hope you'll get along.
[It's subtle, and he hides it well, but there's some slight apprehension behind his smile. Things have been a bit weird.]
The one moving in- her name is Beau. She can come across as a little abrasive [understatement] but she's a good person, has a lot of heart. I hope you'll get along.
[rue has spoken warmly of him
Hob preens a little at that, chest puffing up as he follows Ted inside like an overgrown puppy. It smells like freshly baked pastries inside, explained by the tray of cooling semlor on the kitchen counter, filled with puffy cream and covered with powdered sugar.]
Ah, yes, just Hob is fine, please. [He starts pulling plates to serve Ted a semla, gesturing with mile-long arms.] Please, make yourself at home. What can I get you to drink?
Hob preens a little at that, chest puffing up as he follows Ted inside like an overgrown puppy. It smells like freshly baked pastries inside, explained by the tray of cooling semlor on the kitchen counter, filled with puffy cream and covered with powdered sugar.]
Ah, yes, just Hob is fine, please. [He starts pulling plates to serve Ted a semla, gesturing with mile-long arms.] Please, make yourself at home. What can I get you to drink?
Rue can't help the soft, musical laugh at that. Down to business it is!
"Why don't we first start off with your preferred style? What kind of clothing do you enjoy the most?"
"Why don't we first start off with your preferred style? What kind of clothing do you enjoy the most?"
[Does Rue's feathery chest puff up a touch at that in pride? Absolutely. Their kids may be menaces, but they are polite menaces.]
I know exactly what you mean. I do not think I truly realized how deprived I was of adult company until the Steves' holiday party last December. To be in a room full of adults after nothing but teenagers opened my eyes and I know to give myself these wonderful breaks now.
[They'll take their glass with a word of thanks before settling back and getting right to it, like the messy gossip they are.]
Now, enough pleasantries! I have been waiting for weeks!
I know exactly what you mean. I do not think I truly realized how deprived I was of adult company until the Steves' holiday party last December. To be in a room full of adults after nothing but teenagers opened my eyes and I know to give myself these wonderful breaks now.
[They'll take their glass with a word of thanks before settling back and getting right to it, like the messy gossip they are.]
Now, enough pleasantries! I have been waiting for weeks!
I'm afraid you are going to be hooked after you try them, just the same as I am. But after dinner. Tell me what you are feeling like and I'll make it so.
Oh - uh -
[ CHOICES. Hunter really has to think about that. ]
What about the toasted cheese thing?
[ CHOICES. Hunter really has to think about that. ]
What about the toasted cheese thing?
[...Toasted cheese, hmMM]
Do you mean a grilled cheese sandwich?
Do you mean a grilled cheese sandwich?
"Something easy to move around in. I do a lot of training and fighting, so I want something that's not going to slow me down or get caught on anything. Only for special occasions do I like more fancy clothes like suits or dresses."
And he did look quite snazzy in a ballgown if he did say so himself.
"I am also rather fond of cloaks, especially those with hidden pockets so I can carry things around with me."
And he did look quite snazzy in a ballgown if he did say so himself.
"I am also rather fond of cloaks, especially those with hidden pockets so I can carry things around with me."
Yeah, that's it! With the bread and cheese in it.
[And it is all Rue's doing. Rue's patience and forgiveness of his failings, both his own and otherwise, Rue's gentle guidance in Hob's quest to discover who he is without the Goblin Court, Rue's trust in his abilities and their encouragement of his discovering what they are... Without them in his corner, Hob would scarcely have been able to trust himself.
He really has come a long way from the stiff, awkward, nervous bugbear Captain they first knew him as. Now he's a stiff, awkward, but infinitely less nervous bugbear partner, proudly leading Rue on his arm to the shore of the lakeβwhere a rowboat is safely nestled atop the gravel and sands.]
Not a swim, beloved, no. Although perhaps, should the moonlight intoxicate you and strike you with the fancy later tonight...I would not be opposed to a swim. [With a cheeky grin, Hob gestures to the boat, gently guiding Rue inside. There's a soft blanket laid out over the passenger thwart, so they will be comfortable while he rows, and the floor of the boat is covered in fragrant flower petals.] Sit back and relax, my love. Let me handle the rest.
He really has come a long way from the stiff, awkward, nervous bugbear Captain they first knew him as. Now he's a stiff, awkward, but infinitely less nervous bugbear partner, proudly leading Rue on his arm to the shore of the lakeβwhere a rowboat is safely nestled atop the gravel and sands.]
Not a swim, beloved, no. Although perhaps, should the moonlight intoxicate you and strike you with the fancy later tonight...I would not be opposed to a swim. [With a cheeky grin, Hob gestures to the boat, gently guiding Rue inside. There's a soft blanket laid out over the passenger thwart, so they will be comfortable while he rows, and the floor of the boat is covered in fragrant flower petals.] Sit back and relax, my love. Let me handle the rest.
[A good thing that reading others is exactly what Rue excels in! They spy that slight strain behind Caduceus' smile and without warning, the owlbear reaches out to rest a gentle paw at the man's hand, just to give a reassuring squeeze there, some quiet encouragement.]
It is already done, my dear, as any friend of yours is immediately a friend of mine. I believe fully in your intuition. I feel that you and I are similar in such regards, we can see beneath the facade to the person beneath.
[Besides, heart will get you far in this place.]
Now, may I inquire, dearest Caduceus, how you have been doing? I fear so many of our conversations turn into my ramblings. What of you, dearest?
It is already done, my dear, as any friend of yours is immediately a friend of mine. I believe fully in your intuition. I feel that you and I are similar in such regards, we can see beneath the facade to the person beneath.
[Besides, heart will get you far in this place.]
Now, may I inquire, dearest Caduceus, how you have been doing? I fear so many of our conversations turn into my ramblings. What of you, dearest?
[Caduceus chuckles faintly at the question, turning his hand beneath theirs to briefly grasp back. A very normal and benign social exchange, asking if someone is well, of course, of course. It could mean nothing else... under different circumstances.]
It's no wonder you run a book club. You read so well.
[For good or ill, his insight is also excellent- he can recognize their gentle intent.]
To answer your question, I'm content, though it's a complicated sort. Another dear friend arrived as well, someone I spent a good deal of time mentoring before I came here. He's like a brother to me. [He pauses, and before Rue can think to congratulate him,] He seems to come from a time before we met, however.
It's no wonder you run a book club. You read so well.
[For good or ill, his insight is also excellent- he can recognize their gentle intent.]
To answer your question, I'm content, though it's a complicated sort. Another dear friend arrived as well, someone I spent a good deal of time mentoring before I came here. He's like a brother to me. [He pauses, and before Rue can think to congratulate him,] He seems to come from a time before we met, however.
[ Tony laughs. ] Alright, alright, fine.
As you've... Probably guessed at- [ He rubs the back of his neck. Chuckles slightly. ] Steve and I have kinda- We're- [ Clears his throat. ] Together.
Hah. Sorry, this would've been- [ Tony's nervous chuckling bubbles out harder. ] Kinda a PR disaster back home. And I'm still getting used to it.
As you've... Probably guessed at- [ He rubs the back of his neck. Chuckles slightly. ] Steve and I have kinda- We're- [ Clears his throat. ] Together.
Hah. Sorry, this would've been- [ Tony's nervous chuckling bubbles out harder. ] Kinda a PR disaster back home. And I'm still getting used to it.
Grilled cheese it is! Come, let us cuddle and I'll order us all grilled cheeses for dinner.
[One last little nuzzle of their cheek to his.]
I love you, Hunter. Please don't ever forget that. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you.
[One last little nuzzle of their cheek to his.]
I love you, Hunter. Please don't ever forget that. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you.
[ Hunter ducks at that, leaning into the cuddle. ]
I - I know. I always know that, I just ...
I - I know. I always know that, I just ...
You just..? [Rue gently prompts, trying for casual, but unable to pull away from squeezing their son around the shoulders affectionately.]
[It's so silly, but that witty response draws a bright, amused smile into Rue's eyes, coaxing the gentlest of huffs from them.
Until that reveal is brought into the light and, suddenly, Rue understands it exactly. Their expression does not go sad and pitying, but the softness returns to their eyes, the owlbear's paw gripping at the man's hand reassuringly. It's too late now, Caduceus. You are going to be coddled and you are going to like it.]
Oh my friend, I'm so very sorry to hear that. I can not imagine how you must be feeling. Some of the friends that I met in that previous world are here without memory of me and that place as well, but no one who was like family to me.
Until that reveal is brought into the light and, suddenly, Rue understands it exactly. Their expression does not go sad and pitying, but the softness returns to their eyes, the owlbear's paw gripping at the man's hand reassuringly. It's too late now, Caduceus. You are going to be coddled and you are going to like it.]
Oh my friend, I'm so very sorry to hear that. I can not imagine how you must be feeling. Some of the friends that I met in that previous world are here without memory of me and that place as well, but no one who was like family to me.
[ Look, Hunter doesn't mind that AT ALL. He buries his face in their feathers a little. ]
You're amazing. You're the kindest, most wonderful person I've ever met, and I don't want anything else, and -
[ How does he phrase this? The words feel clunky in his mouth. ]
I'm - I'm still getting used to how that works. What the rules are.
You're amazing. You're the kindest, most wonderful person I've ever met, and I don't want anything else, and -
[ How does he phrase this? The words feel clunky in his mouth. ]
I'm - I'm still getting used to how that works. What the rules are.
[At his side, there would be so missing the way Rue's whole body just tenses with excitement against the bugbear. A late night boat ride? Now that is romantic. Especially if Rue is allowed to simply sit back and enjoy it, while their darling husband-to-be rows.
Hob really does understand them better than any other fae ever could.
The cheekiness of his response coaxes a laugh from the owlbear as they allow Hob to hold out a paw to keep Rue steady while they step into the boat, moving immediately to settle against the blanket, their face aglow with joy.]
Well, we shall see where the night takes us. But for now, I would be so happy to sit here and watch the stars with the man who holds my heart.
Hob really does understand them better than any other fae ever could.
The cheekiness of his response coaxes a laugh from the owlbear as they allow Hob to hold out a paw to keep Rue steady while they step into the boat, moving immediately to settle against the blanket, their face aglow with joy.]
Well, we shall see where the night takes us. But for now, I would be so happy to sit here and watch the stars with the man who holds my heart.
Agreed! They will have to find a good reason to dress him up in the future!
"Excellent! I have quite a few individuals who have asked for clothing appropriate for full use of movement. My husband-to-be, for example, is quite the fan of athletic-ware for his sparring and training sessions. Something tight to the skin that he can move in, though others have asked for something more flowing and beautiful."
To demonstrate, Rue takes him over to a rack of near the back, where they pull a breezy pair of pants out, all white with gentle florals at the bottom. "Do you have a preference in what you might like?"
"Excellent! I have quite a few individuals who have asked for clothing appropriate for full use of movement. My husband-to-be, for example, is quite the fan of athletic-ware for his sparring and training sessions. Something tight to the skin that he can move in, though others have asked for something more flowing and beautiful."
To demonstrate, Rue takes him over to a rack of near the back, where they pull a breezy pair of pants out, all white with gentle florals at the bottom. "Do you have a preference in what you might like?"
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