kingdomcomes | It's like christmas in july except just it's cold and everyone is stressed and there are no presents

Entry tags:

It's like christmas in july except just it's cold and everyone is stressed and there are no presents

Who: [OPEN] Aymeric and you!
What: Catch-all for non-participants and early losers in the fuckening, but everyone is welcome! Come gloat if you like.
When: All day.
Where: In the guard barracks, outside the castle, Yenh's hut, the inn.
Warnings: Will update as needed!

I. In and Around the Castle
[For the entirely-too-manyth in a row now the weather has been getting unrelentingly colder. So much so that he could barely think as he did his duties. It would do no good to lose his work or the possible trust he had earned with his diligence over this, but the temptation to abandon his post became increasingly difficult. During breakfast, if you are a fellow guard, Aymeric will be trying to get your attention. Maybe there is something they can do about their uniforms...? If you are not a guard, he will try to catch your attention anyway. He has requests to make in his miserable state.]

II. The Village
[Once his terrible, miserable shift is over he will run around the village with increasingly conspicuous supplies. First a couple blankets, then some buckets, and eventually he will be rolling a wooden bath down a road. He comes to Yenh's shack and knocks on the door with his arms very much full.]

III. The Inn
[Much later now, he finds himself at his familiar watering hole. Sure, it cost a lot more than drinking with the other guards in the castle, but the illusion of getting out of the Mistress' reach was well worth it. Here you will see him finally changed out of his guard uniform, but back in the clothing he arrived in. Terribly ironic that he was able to acquire some new clothes the very week it was too cold to wear any of them. He's back to looking very over-dressed and out of place. If you sit near him, he will offer you a drink and a warm, weary smile.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yenh answers; she's clad in her Shire coat and has apparently decided to wrap her bad blanket around her head as a cowl for warmth. The look of pleased surprise (and then just confusion) are evident all the same from within the curl of cloth.]

Lord Aymeric, good day- but what is all of this? [She immediately steps backward, figuring he might want to come in out of the wind, if nothing else.]

[As she steps back, he rolls the large tub into her small space, then sets it down properly.]

As I stood there for my guard duty, I thought about how cold I was, and I worried about you. This hut is hardly adequate shelter. I thought we might make a hot bath and try to patch the drafts.

[He allows a brief pause-]

And I thought I might trouble you for some remedies for skin burned by the cold. Those uniforms are particularly ill-suited to this weather.

[Now that she has found herself the proud owner(??? borrower???) of a wooden tub that takes up a good chunk of the available floor, she truly has no way of knowing how to react.]

[At least not until he makes a request. Those she can do on autopilot, if need be.]

Oh! I don't have any for myself, much less you and Estinien, but lanolin always works wonders. Prices are higher than I rightfully feel like I should have to pay, considering I could make it myself. ...If I had the proper facilities.

[She glances over at the pile of discarded glass and clay containers she's scavenged, some of which contain plants and have been corked with either a literal cork, or whatever else she can stuff in the top.]

You could also... use oil? [She tries very valiantly not to think about Aymeric covered in oil.]

Ah, good thinking. I'll gather some oil... Can't oils be used in baths?

[He was clearly out of his depths, but he was trying]

Estinien should be along as soon as he is able. Allow me to assist in procuring supplies until then. [he looks over her shire coat, checking for worn seams and fabric it just doesn't look warm enough...]

Are you cold, Yenh?

[Do not think about the Lord Commander covered in oil]

[She blinks at his question, finding it completely absurd.]

A bit—but nothing compared to what you two are going through! I should rightfully be the one bringing you blankets and a warm bath with oils.

[DO NOT THINK ABOUT THE LORD COMMANDER COVERED IN OIL]

[She finds herself hoping she can get all of this pent-up energy out of her system with the contest. Very belatedly, the Warrior of Light gives him an awkward smile.]

We will all share in the fruits of our labor together. [As he vaguely gestures towards the bath]

Forgive my forwardness, yet if I may lend you my coat for our excursion?

[He begins the needlessly complex bullshit involved with taking off his regal garb.]

[There is absolutely no way he meant it the way she took it, so she lets it go. Surely he just means they're all going to take turns.]

[Yenh waves her hands at him, shaking her head.]

Truly! I appreciate your kindness, milord, but I shall be alright. I may not be shrouded in the Blessing of Light, but I'm still a dyed-in-the-wool adventurer. It takes more than cold to break me!

Ah, but there is no need for you to suffer either.

[a warm, very assured smile as he continues to take off his outer layer.]

It would please me if you would accept this until we come back.

[Being the giant pushover she is, she sighs and returns his smile.]

Very well. 'Tis not like we'll be out long, either.

[She reaches out to accept the coat, wondering if Aymeric is committing some kind of ancient heresy by allowing her to even touch it.]

[I mean, yes kind of, but in this instance whatever. The Holy See can't See shit]

[He wraps the coat around her, fastens it, and uses the sash to tie up what would otherwise drag on the floor. It looks tremendously silly and cute. He steps back to admire at his handiwork. He fails to keep a straight face as he turns his head and laughs into his hand]

You're... so small.

[ She looks down at herself, as much feeling drowned in fabric as she looks. If she didn't know any better, she would think he did it on purpose. ]

[ She can't help but join him in laughter, even as she feels a little embarassed and confused. ]

That I am! Terribly astute of you, Lord Commander.

[ Yenh points dramatically to the door, her had momentarily emerging from the depths of the sleeve. ] Shall we?

'Tis what they pay me for. [he places a hand on her upper back, suddenly feeling as though she might trip over all the fabric. How many Yenh's across were his shoulders? By the slack of the fabric it seemed to be about two, maybe two and a half.]

We shall. You're warm at least?

[He has to duck a little to get out of the low door frame. What miserable cabins...]

I understand not wanting to fall under the Mistress's direct supervision, yet... Still. I worry for you once the sun falls. Mayhap I could sneak you into the castle tonight- Or what if Estinien and I stand vigil for you? You would be warmer with two more bodies.

I am. Thank you for your concerns.

[ Despite the biting cold, she feels her face warm. With a light laugh, she ventures: ]

May I speak bluntly, milord? [ She addresses the ground, being careful with where she puts her feet. It isn't her first robe rodeo, but they usually aren't so... generous. ]

[He tilts his head curiously at her, partially to move into closer listening distance over this "bluntness"]

Of course you may, dear warrior. What is it?

[his hand remains on her shoulder, though his eyes scan the ground for the tripping hazard of a coat he had offered her.]

[ She mulls over the best words in silence for a moment, and finally chances the best possible phrasing she can think of that isn't are you trying to make me the miqo'te filling of an elezen sandwich? ]

The locals aren't shy with their innuendo, nor with their blunt offers of companionship. I presume your full innocence, of course, but I've had my days too packed with such come-ons that I can't help but misread them in your generous offers, as well.

[ perfect. ]

[...]

[oh]

[he is silent for a moment before he closes his eyes and nods.]

I... I can see where you gathered that from my words and actions. I fear this place has twisted my boundaries somewhat.

[he presses a fist to his mouth as he opens his eyes and continues moving.]

Please understand, I would never betray your trust in me that way.

[ She mouths the words, and then snorts. A plume of steam fluffs out of her nose. ]

Please make no mistake. I would trust you whether you'd carnal intentions for me or not.

[ Looking up at him, she smiles. ]

I tell you only so that I can stop seeing a hidden meaning behind every turn of phrase. I apologize for causing embarassment. [ She shrugs. ] And besides, I cannot possibly imagine Estinien having any personal interest, much less in me.

My thanks, then, for such a weighty trust.

[Well. That sure was some information. It's much easier to focus on the less personal, Estinien part of this.]

...Aye, Estinien's drives, those besides hunger and killing, are much dampened. The air of carnality here does little but irritate him, it seems.

[ For her part, she isn't sure if she wants him to have seen innuendo in her statement or not. But it was a statement of fact—she trusted Haurchefant with her life, and he... ]

[ Yenh stops herself from thinking about him immediately. ]

[ Estinien is an inherently easier subject for them both, it seemed. ]

Of that, I'm not surprised. Do you think he may ever indulge, or will he remain tormented by the local "culture" for as long as we may be trapped here?

I cannot see him ever dropping his guard nor his pants.

[His little spat with Estinien has skewed his comments towards the more crude and mean]

[he sighs, shoulders drooping]

Forgive me, such comments are beneath a man of my upbringing.

[ Her mouth drops open, but she recovers and shakes her head. ]

Forgiven, but you've no need for concern. Adventurers are typically as blunt and worse with one another.

[ Tentatively, she reaches out and pats him on the arm. ] You have more than earned my unending respect and loyalty. If you need to unburden yourself, I am here.

Aye, but I am no adventurer. Your own shock was plain on your features. Allow me to keep my composure whilst we shop for the day. I will be free and open to speak once we have returned.

[He fights to keep his face together, his cheeks burning as the thoughts visit him like unpleasant goblins.

He glances at her hand, letting out a soft sigh]

Your lent ear is much appreciated. There are matters than it seems I can entrust to no one.

[Glad that he took no offense to her awkward comparison to the lewd and brash ways of her fellow adventurers, she nods in quick agreement and offers him her kindest smile.]

[She has no skin in the game of forcing him to talk about embarrassing outbursts, after all. Her natural curiosity is, however, glad that she will hear all about it later.]

It is my pleasure to be of service in any way I can, Lord Aymeric.

[He lets out his breath, leaning in against her briefly. It's a bit intimate of a gesture, but their friendship had been taking on a new quality in this setting. It was much easier to worry about her when she didn't have the constant backing of her magic, resources, and allies.

It was almost pitiful for them to see one another like this, he thought.]

Your very personage is a blessing, Lady Yenh.

[ Again she finds herself surprised by him, but not unpleasantly. She hesitates before reciprocating the lean. His warmth is welcome, both physically and emotionally. As willing as she is to be his Warrior of Light, it is interesting and pleasant also to wonder if she could see him as a friend, also. ]

[ Blessedly, they manage to find oil that Yenh is 90% sure wouldn't instantly immolate them with a low burning point. Despite his coat, she is glad at the prospect of getting out of the cold. ]

II: Apparently Yenh's shack is a valid mingle location now, let's boogie people

II: It's BYOB

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