[ they're both one bad day away from saying something even more unhinged than what's already slipped out, but with only good days ahead, what's there to worry about? nothing.
or so elysium would like to think, because when he really thinks about their situation, coupled with being among people in a context other as a rhodes operator, the pleasant haze of their elopement fades quick. yan may be one of the kinder places for the infected, but even that kindness has its limits. this level of free movement just wouldn't be accepted.
… he has to be careful.
but the inn is owned by an elderly couple, and they're more than happy to offer lodging as long as the two of them are willing to take on heavy lifting. it takes them so long to move produce from the truck it arrives in to their kitchen these days— they'd be a godsend.
until then? they should say hi to the rest of the residents and promptly shoos them both out. real first day on the farm in stardew and harvest moon vibes. ]
… What a reception. The people here are something else.
It's probably rare for them to get guests who plan to actually stay for long.
[ this does not really seem like the kind of place that people move to; it's more likely the opposite, where all their younger residents end up moving to a bigger city as soon as they're old enough to, leaving the elders struggling as their age creeps in on them.
... but it is likely best to keep hiding the obvious signs of elysium's oripathy for now. even the kindest of people can turn hideous when it gets involved. ]
[ all it takes is one person to infect an entire population… it's not like elysium doesn't get it. t's tempting to pull his sleeves down despite knowing full well the crystals on his arm are covered. ]
Mm.
[ his hand finds thorns' to hold onto. ]
After we make our rounds, should we catch some more fish to bring back? As thanks. You did promise me you'd show me how it's done, too.
he squeezes his hand, and starts walking, pulling elysium with him. most people seem to be working at the moment which is understandable since it's the middle of the day. a few people look at them curiously and thorns is already failing at making introductions because he pays them no mind. ]
I got really lucky that first time around. If it weren't for not wanting to disappoint you, [ the power of LOVE!! ] I wouldn't have done half as well.
[ wrong. elysium doesn't know a thing.
and ordinarily, elysium would be much better about saying hello. alas, their honeymoon vibes are just that strong that even elysium's pressing fast forward on the majority of their interactions. that's the charitable way of putting it, when really, he's putting in the bare minimum when it comes to introductions solely because of the insane reality in his mind that he and thorns only need each other. and if they have to be ready to uproot their lives at a moment's notice, it's hard to feel particularly invested in anyone or anything else.
but yes, thorns is cute just by existing, can anyone blame him? they are sooooo excited for this next stage in their life.
they even run into people their age who are friendly enough to ask if they'd like to join them for drinks later, but elysium only tightens his grip on thorns' hand and answers that they need to earn their stay first(!). next time. ]
What else should we do to impress people? Find wild game?
[ them hunting those huge ass birds was so long ago…… everyone like alright maybe they aren't so normal after all ]
[ this is one of the things that makes thorns torn.
he, of course, notices that elysium isn't acting as friendly as he would have normally. and there is a feeling of guilt attached to that, because he was always the more sociable one of the two, and thorns is aware that he isn't anymore because of him.
but elysium hanging around other people means less time for him to be around thorns. it's the constant catch-22 of the situation–wanting elysium to enjoy himself without thorns, but not wanting to be without elysium. ]
I can catch more than you.
[ okay.
but this, at least, is something more normal for them, a little playful competition... that no one else is invited to. ]
[ why does everything have to turn into a competition. this is what i'm thinking while elysium can't help but find it deeply endearing. ]
Can you? I'll give you fishing, [ GIVE? ] but you should at least leave a few things for me to do, too. Don't be greedy.
[ like, are they not taking turns on being tradwife. he has one (1) complaint.
well, at least other people will get to enjoy the fruits of their labour even if everything they do ends up being for each other, in one way or another. that counts for something, doesn't it? they aren't harming anyone but themselves, if that. ]
[ he has done nothing? he just thinks elysium would look amazing in an apron and only an apron and needs to build the backstory surrounding that vision.
they will have to approach a local to talk though, and it's just to ask where is land that they'd be allowed to hunt on since the last thing they need is to accidentally trespass on private property and get in trouble day one. the local helpfully points them to some woods and fields close by that isn't owned by anyone specific so they're free to go there.
they also warn that some of the animals are dangerous so they shouldn't wander too far in. thorns just grunts in response. ]
[ the equivalent of thorns making a face claim and telling him not to act ooc… okay… he just narrows his eyes at thorns' back like he can see right through him. does he really think he'll accept this so easily?
yes… but that doesn't mean he has to like it nor does it stop him from making it thorns' problem.
he tugs on thorns' hand and leans in to bite at his cheek. only after getting that small victory out can they go hunt down their wild boar or whatever. he's buying thorns the raunchiest laciest lingerie he can find the moment he can and somehow this is emotionally stabilising. ]
[ elysium with his proud first paycheck like yes i want this that leaves nothing to the imagination please
but off they go. they're really in a rural area right now, so the paths are all dirt roads, with the only properly paved ones being in the town itself. looking at the ground, they can tell where the townspellle normally go when they enter the forest and what places don't typically get traffic. ]
[ thorns like how much did this cost and elysium just turns his head way he will literally live off the land for this ]
Let's see what we can track first?
[ he's already crouching to look at the ground and looking around them for any signs of larger creatures passing by. if they can't find anything here, there has to be something closer to water sources. hmm. ]
Ideally, we bring back enough to feed at least seven people. [ that is so many mouths. ] Us, the couple at the inn, and the farmer's family. That should secure us goodwill.
[ it's wild that this is what they have to do now. they have to both rebuild their possessions, while also making sure anything they get they would either be okay with potentially abandoning or selling, or easy enough for them to pack up to take with them. even when thorns was traveling on his own while working for thorns, he could always just have items shipped back to the landship if needed.
hmm. ]
We can try to locate prime fishing locations too for later.
[ they are hunting today to show off, but for the day to day it would likely be easier to just fish... ]
[ that's true... so they can't go as big as they might want...
he makes a mental note that they should get equipment sooner than later; this seems like the kind of place where if they ask to borrow a cart then someone would helpfully supply it, but that isn't sustainable for the long term.
they really are so domestic... wow. their dreams. ]
Later I can probably see if they need help at whatever clinic or hospital they have here, too.
[ small towns like this are usually always in need for more medical help... ]
[ their dreams won't be fulfilled until they have a house they can go back to… they cannot be inflicting naked apron on any other poor and unsuspecting souls. ]
… You'll need an assistant.
[ don't work where he can't go. having to spend entire work days away from each other sounds miserable? he tightens his grip on thorns. ]
You have to focus on what's important. Any errands you might need to run? I can do for you.
[ elysium in a sexy nurse outfit... thorns is unwell.
but he does nod, not even attempting to argue against this. ]
Mm. I wouldn't do it as a full time job anyway.
[ since it would cut into whatever else they plan to do. thorns is sure they likely already do have a town doctor, but he figures that they won't say no to backup in case something bad happens.
... it would also be good to get in their good graces to try to figure out what the oripathy situation is here. it's difficult to ask a local without it potentially causing a disaster, but a doctor would be more frank on whether or not they're used to handling cases. ]
[ wanting to put each other in sexy uniforms is so funny when they've both been historically terrible at larp. in a fire emblem game, everyone would assign thorns as their sexy dancer… when does elysium get to assign him as a sexy dancer.
but elysium won't argue against it; the less they grow attached to any one place or job, the easier it'll be to move on when they have to or want to. he would know. but as he guides them toward a stream, his mood perceptibly shifts. he perks up. ]
… These look like tracks from a burdenbeast. [ personally cries. as in i, ly, cries. but that's what the game tells me they eat… ] Think you handle taking one back?
[ you can be smart for one minute and then decide against remaining smart the next.
unsurprisingly, thorns nods, already not thinking about being careful about what they're carrying back. look, it's fine, he is super confident even when there is no reason to be so confident about this. ]
Of course. Try not to throw out your back.
[ says the guy who literally had to be carried because of his ass ]
[ they're going to end up with a mega party where the people they'd turned down earlier for drinks will have to show up so the couple isn't saddled with an infinite amount of leftovers. ]
But I'm no good at anything. [ he is! such! a lil guy!! ] I thought the whole point of this excursion was you showing me how cool you are?
[ wow it's like he suddenly doesn't know where he's going ]
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he mostly just nods his head, like he would had if elysium had suggest any other potential job to try not to put any pressure on the suggestion. ]
Might as well find out. Our best bet is offering skills they don't already have here.
[ so casual... but they can head for the inn for now. they can likely get more info on the town there anyway. ]
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or so elysium would like to think, because when he really thinks about their situation, coupled with being among people in a context other as a rhodes operator, the pleasant haze of their elopement fades quick. yan may be one of the kinder places for the infected, but even that kindness has its limits. this level of free movement just wouldn't be accepted.
… he has to be careful.
but the inn is owned by an elderly couple, and they're more than happy to offer lodging as long as the two of them are willing to take on heavy lifting. it takes them so long to move produce from the truck it arrives in to their kitchen these days— they'd be a godsend.
until then? they should say hi to the rest of the residents and promptly shoos them both out. real first day on the farm in stardew and harvest moon vibes. ]
… What a reception. The people here are something else.
[ imagine if they were in iberia… ]
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[ this does not really seem like the kind of place that people move to; it's more likely the opposite, where all their younger residents end up moving to a bigger city as soon as they're old enough to, leaving the elders struggling as their age creeps in on them.
... but it is likely best to keep hiding the obvious signs of elysium's oripathy for now. even the kindest of people can turn hideous when it gets involved. ]
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Mm.
[ his hand finds thorns' to hold onto. ]
After we make our rounds, should we catch some more fish to bring back? As thanks. You did promise me you'd show me how it's done, too.
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[ they are both aware elysium knows how to fish.
he squeezes his hand, and starts walking, pulling elysium with him. most people seem to be working at the moment which is understandable since it's the middle of the day. a few people look at them curiously and thorns is already failing at making introductions because he pays them no mind. ]
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[ wrong. elysium doesn't know a thing.
and ordinarily, elysium would be much better about saying hello. alas, their honeymoon vibes are just that strong that even elysium's pressing fast forward on the majority of their interactions. that's the charitable way of putting it, when really, he's putting in the bare minimum when it comes to introductions solely because of the insane reality in his mind that he and thorns only need each other. and if they have to be ready to uproot their lives at a moment's notice, it's hard to feel particularly invested in anyone or anything else.
but yes, thorns is cute just by existing, can anyone blame him? they are sooooo excited for this next stage in their life.
they even run into people their age who are friendly enough to ask if they'd like to join them for drinks later, but elysium only tightens his grip on thorns' hand and answers that they need to earn their stay first(!). next time. ]
What else should we do to impress people? Find wild game?
[ them hunting those huge ass birds was so long ago…… everyone like alright maybe they aren't so normal after all ]
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he, of course, notices that elysium isn't acting as friendly as he would have normally. and there is a feeling of guilt attached to that, because he was always the more sociable one of the two, and thorns is aware that he isn't anymore because of him.
but elysium hanging around other people means less time for him to be around thorns. it's the constant catch-22 of the situation–wanting elysium to enjoy himself without thorns, but not wanting to be without elysium. ]
I can catch more than you.
[ okay.
but this, at least, is something more normal for them, a little playful competition... that no one else is invited to. ]
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Can you? I'll give you fishing, [ GIVE? ] but you should at least leave a few things for me to do, too. Don't be greedy.
[ like, are they not taking turns on being tradwife. he has one (1) complaint.
well, at least other people will get to enjoy the fruits of their labour even if everything they do ends up being for each other, in one way or another. that counts for something, doesn't it? they aren't harming anyone but themselves, if that. ]
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[ he has done nothing? he just thinks elysium would look amazing in an apron and only an apron and needs to build the backstory surrounding that vision.
they will have to approach a local to talk though, and it's just to ask where is land that they'd be allowed to hunt on since the last thing they need is to accidentally trespass on private property and get in trouble day one. the local helpfully points them to some woods and fields close by that isn't owned by anyone specific so they're free to go there.
they also warn that some of the animals are dangerous so they shouldn't wander too far in. thorns just grunts in response. ]
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yes… but that doesn't mean he has to like it nor does it stop him from making it thorns' problem.
he tugs on thorns' hand and leans in to bite at his cheek. only after getting that small victory out can they go hunt down their wild boar or whatever. he's buying thorns the raunchiest laciest lingerie he can find the moment he can and somehow this is emotionally stabilising. ]
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but off they go. they're really in a rural area right now, so the paths are all dirt roads, with the only properly paved ones being in the town itself. looking at the ground, they can tell where the townspellle normally go when they enter the forest and what places don't typically get traffic. ]
Suggestions?
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Let's see what we can track first?
[ he's already crouching to look at the ground and looking around them for any signs of larger creatures passing by. if they can't find anything here, there has to be something closer to water sources. hmm. ]
Ideally, we bring back enough to feed at least seven people. [ that is so many mouths. ] Us, the couple at the inn, and the farmer's family. That should secure us goodwill.
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hmm. ]
We can try to locate prime fishing locations too for later.
[ they are hunting today to show off, but for the day to day it would likely be easier to just fish... ]
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but elysium gets up and nods. ]
Remember—the number to beat's four.
[ this is so easy. sadly, he has more than one disease and one of them involves needling thorns at any given moment. ]
We'll probably be more limited by what we can carry back than anything else… so keep that in mind, too.
[ not being able to manifest equipment out of nowhere is so sad ]
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he makes a mental note that they should get equipment sooner than later; this seems like the kind of place where if they ask to borrow a cart then someone would helpfully supply it, but that isn't sustainable for the long term.
they really are so domestic... wow. their dreams. ]
Later I can probably see if they need help at whatever clinic or hospital they have here, too.
[ small towns like this are usually always in need for more medical help... ]
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… You'll need an assistant.
[ don't work where he can't go. having to spend entire work days away from each other sounds miserable? he tightens his grip on thorns. ]
You have to focus on what's important. Any errands you might need to run? I can do for you.
[ compelling. ]
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but he does nod, not even attempting to argue against this. ]
Mm. I wouldn't do it as a full time job anyway.
[ since it would cut into whatever else they plan to do. thorns is sure they likely already do have a town doctor, but he figures that they won't say no to backup in case something bad happens.
... it would also be good to get in their good graces to try to figure out what the oripathy situation is here. it's difficult to ask a local without it potentially causing a disaster, but a doctor would be more frank on whether or not they're used to handling cases. ]
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but elysium won't argue against it; the less they grow attached to any one place or job, the easier it'll be to move on when they have to or want to. he would know. but as he guides them toward a stream, his mood perceptibly shifts. he perks up. ]
… These look like tracks from a burdenbeast. [ personally cries. as in i, ly, cries. but that's what the game tells me they eat… ] Think you handle taking one back?
[ what happened to not overachieving. okay. ]
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unsurprisingly, thorns nods, already not thinking about being careful about what they're carrying back. look, it's fine, he is super confident even when there is no reason to be so confident about this. ]
Of course. Try not to throw out your back.
[ says the guy who literally had to be carried because of his ass ]
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But I'm no good at anything. [ he is! such! a lil guy!! ] I thought the whole point of this excursion was you showing me how cool you are?
[ wow it's like he suddenly doesn't know where he's going ]
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he reaches over to pinch him annoyingly. ]
It would be rude if I don't offer. I don't want to assume my wife can't do anything.
[ that is such a stereotype. :/ ]
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he just stops and takes thorns' other hand in his so he can cutely swing both their hands their hands together. ]
Hmm. I'm no good at anything here, but I'll do my best at taking care of you once everything is said and done? Give you a massage in the bath?
[ he isn't actually going to be this useless he just wants to see how much he can theoretically get away with… annoying ]
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... and then pauses as he realizes something. ]
Do you think we'll have a bath?
[ they didn't actually get a good look at where they'd be staying. forced to shower. ]
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he's going to strangle thorns. ]
For the intents and purposes of this conversation, we do.
[ this is not how it works. ]
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Okay. Shouldn't I be washing your back though?
[ delicate people get sweaty more easily... there is no science here he is making it up. ]
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