chatime | ✧ — peach iced tea.

He cares a lot about the village. If I had to guess, he's trying to figure us out through talking now after he's realised just observing isn't getting him anything. We're getting pretty close to people…

[ but not really. elysium's still ready to leave on a moment's notice and hums a noncommittal sound. he points to a rocky outcrop a small distance away. ]

How's that for one? We'll have the height advantage over anyone coming from the few directions they can.

Mm, it works. And it's close enough to the inn it shouldn't take long to run back there if we need to...

[ they have done missions way more dangerous than this in the past, so thorns isn't worried in terms of their own safety, but doing this can greatly increase how much the town likes them... this is the kind of boost that may let them be able to move from the inn to getting their own little house. ]

[ doing their job when they need to is very important, yes. but now that they've established the baseline of what they need to and get to their vantage point, elysium settles and gestures to his lap—all so he can feed thorns his snacks like he's a rabbit while they're on the lookout.

thanks, timeskip, for solving the problem that was his ass and presumably at any other point of time, thorns' ass. they are so well. ]

[ they are soooo good at their jobs

but he settles comfortably, occasionally nuzzling against his neck annoyingly. thank god no one can walk in on them. ]

Do you think him not liking us might end up a problem, by the way?

[ if there are intruders they are going to see this and wonder what the hell is wrong with the village. it's all according to plan. they underestimate them, and then their job is considered done.

until then, thorns makes a great pillow to occasionally rest his cheek on, squeezing the rest of him tight. ]

No more of a problem than we are to him. So it depends on what you think of that.

[ he breathes thorns in, makes a noise of contentment. there is nothing better than being paid to flirt on the job. life is great!!!!! ]

But the rest of the village seems to like us well enough. That's probably the only reason he hasn't been more aggressive. Regardless of our intent, our presence so far has been a net boon.

Does it bother you? [ … ] From my perspective, he's soft. Like everyone else here. Those kinds of people don't tend to act first.

I guess my main concern is if he starts sharing his reservations with the others. People tend to flip on their opinions quickly once they're scared.

[ they can always make as good of an impression as they can, but you never know. and they can easily just pack up and leave if there's ever trouble, but it would be far more inconvenient to do so before they're ready. thorns doesn't regret running away with elysium, but he does regret the timing of it, since it just made things more difficult for them in the long run. ]

I thought so, too. But I've been keeping an eye on him, and unless he's been communicating in code or secret, I don't think he's been talking about us to others.

[ don't just treat this like a mission, elysium. this is insane.

but is it worse that they ended up running away this way? there's no way back and there's no one expecting them. the only way is forward, together. it's hard to regret it too much when he thinks about it from this perspective. ]

Worst comes to worst, you can leave it to me.

I don't want to leave it to you.

[ of course he notices elysium has that habit of trying to claim anything that may be difficult or messy for himself. he doesn't know why elysium is trying to keep thorns' hands clean, when that ship has already sailed–but he'll try to shoot the idea down when he can. ]

We do things together.

I'm not the one that gets nightmares.

[ he will just say it aloud. this isn't entirely true, but he doesn't get them the same way thorns gets them and holds him even more tightly to his chest. ]

I just want to do what I can for you.

And I want to do what I can for you. [ ... ] And you know that's not true. You do get them.

[ but yes, not really in the same way, considering the majority of thorns' is tied to what he is. but that's not really something that he and elysium talk about, especially when the answer really is to just go back to the sea.

... ]

I'll be fine. I want to make this path with you. Hand in hand.

Not to the extent you do.

[ but he exhales, already aware he's fighting a losing battle. to punctuate his exasperation, he leans in and gives a small, irritated nip at thorns' ear, more petulant than anything. ]

Fine. I get it. If you behave, so will I.

[ they're mostly only unhinged toward everyone else, but once trust cracks, that chaos turns inward. still, for now, it's fine. they're getting along better than they ever have. ]

[ why wouldn't they get along fine? after all, everything that made them fight in the past has been left behind.

... of course, that is ignoring that things can still pop up in the future. as in sync as they are over many things, there are still great differences in how they tend to operate. they can try to change themselves to fit more neatly against the other all they want, but neatly does not mean the same thing as perfectly. ]

I wouldn't think of doing anything otherwise.

I'm counting on it.

[ is what he says, while casually escalating things further with his hands. but they still at a respectable section of thorns' skin as his attention shifts, every muscle going quiet along with his voice. ]

… I think there are people coming to our west.

Mm.

[ he glances in that direction, making no move to get up since that might bring attention towards them if noticed. ]

Do you recognize any of them?

[ the idea of some people returning early isn't odd, even if this is very early... ]

No. Four people, a caravan, and a burdenbeast. It's a small party. Potentially to stay unnoticed? They're armed, but it's too early to say whether or not they're friendly.

[ he glances down. ]

Do you want to just keep watching?

... We will probably have to go down there at some point.

[ even if they aren't hostile, having a bunch of strangers wander around a mostly empty town isn't ideal.

but for now, he will at least send some constructs down to spy. ]

Should we tell the old man?

Yeah. If they approach the village we'll ask what their business is.

[ he takes out the communicator and makes a series of tapping noises. code, in case they have anyone capable of intercepting signals. the technology one can get in the boonies is not the best, so rudimentary encryption is about all they can do. ]

Mm. For now, I told him there are people on the horizon. Unless we need backup, he's better off staying put and keeping watch on the other end.

[ hmm.

at least they're far away enough that they don't have to move immediately. it could just be a case of bad timing, or maybe they came for the festival and just got lost. it is easy to make the wrong turn and end up here instead.

but those are all positive suggestions. ]

We never get a break, do we.

[ it's kind of funny, actually. thorns was just with the kind of people who'd lead these exact charges. maybe not under his command, but still. they had, and they would've kept doing it, if not for the change in command. ]

Our lakefront retreat can't happen fast enough, can it? They seem like they're trying to be careful. That's pretty suspicious behaviour by itself.

Mm...

[ ugghhh.

he continues to watch them for a few more minutes until they can't really deny that they're headed for the village. okay. couldn't their date have lasted longer first? ]

Let's climb down before they get close enough to potentially spot us. We can meet them at the entrance.

It's good to get exercise every now and then. C'mon. Don't get lazy. Working hard means we'll get to play hard.

[ they've been exercising their bodies a little too much lately, actually. but thorns doesn't have to tell him to move twice; elysium hops down with light steps, holding a hand out to him despite it being wholly unnecessary.

it's kind of funny. the entourage looks more confused by their presence than they, them, stepping back to whisper among themselves. it doesn't sound like they're up to anything good… okay. elysium shoots thorns a sidelong glance, like: are you seeing this shit? ]

[ well. at least this is a purer type of exercise (potential murder depending on if it gets bad). thorns looks back at elysium before sighing. might as well get this over with. ]

Do you need anything? All of the shops are currently closed for a holiday.

[ he has no idea if there's a holiday or not he did not look into what this festival is for. ]

[ look at thorns, talking before acting!!!! mid-autumn just passed so conveniently it is that… the men take another few seconds to discuss among themselves before they're like

how strong can they be. they approach up close saying there is something they can help them with—and, well.

either thorns is parrying that sad excuse for a surprise attack or elysium is, before the rest of the crew join the fray. now this would've been a good starter mission for the rookies. ]

[ god. rest in peace sniperguard you would have loved this.

but they can go to battle... which is actually nice, because even though they have been getting the absolute worst kind of exercise, that is still not the same as a fight? he and elysium probably spar just to keep themselves in shape and active, but you can only go so far that way.

so. this is fun. unfortunate for the intruders. ]

[ this is very fun. thorns is having a great time, and so is elysium by extension. by the end of it, they end up with a small pile of bodies all strewn up together to make sure they behave while their burdenbeast remains surprisingly docile.

it takes pets… ]

You looked like you missed this kind of work.

[ is the village life not for them? hmm. ]

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