Quasar paces from one corner of the tavern to the other, his freshly-laundered ceremonial cape fluttering behind him, as Cain and Aegeus watch him. They've been waiting for Rune and the girls for several minutes now, and he's getting impatient.
“How long is this going to take??” He complains. “They've been up there for hours, shouldn't they be done already?”
“I thought this was normal for women?” Aegeus asks, reluctantly. “Or female-presenting, in Rune’s case, I suppose.” he pauses. “Are they female-presenting today?”
“They are, they said they like the clothes better.” Cain answers, and turns to Quasar again. “Why are you so anxious, anyway? The governor’s house is only a few minutes away, and we've got a carriage to pick us up. It isn't even here yet.”
“It's the principle of the thing!!” he defended himself. “Punctuality is a virtue! We should be all here and ready to go before the carriage arrives!”
“Don't worry so much.” Delphi tells him, going down the stairs. She looks very elegant in her dress pants and tunic, and the braids in their hair look amazing. “They're almost done. Apparently Fae formal dress gets a little complicated. We'll be on time.”
Both Cain and Aegeus brighten up, showering Delphi with compliments, which they accept shyly. Quasar rolls his eyes, and returns to his pacing. Of course, it had to be Rune delaying them.
“I don't see what's so complicated about taking a bath, combing hair, and putting on nice clothes.” He grumbles. “Delphi managed just fine - you look lovely, by the way-”
“Thank you.”
“-it just feels like they're stalling!!”
Aegeus laughs at that, with a gleam of his eye that says something he isn't telling. “Oh, my friend, if that were all they were doing...”
“It looked very interesting.” Delphi sat at the table with them, and immediately began fidgeting with their sleeves. Not used to formal wear, probably. “Very intricate, and detail-oriented. They're gonna look amazing.”
“If you say so.” Quasar doesn't want to argue with her. Tonight will be hard enough for her as it is.
Another eternity passes (maybe 10 more minutes), before they hear Kya’s giggling, followed by footsteps going down the stairs. She emerges first, in a cloud of pink lace and tulle, blocking most of the hallway. She looks effervescent; her makeup is impeccable, and her hair is woven in tight braids in a complicated-looking arrangement in her head, with a million small flowers scattered throughout. The most impressive thing by far, however, are her wings; they've been painted completely, in a very thin, translucent layer of pink, with complicated plantlife motifs detailed in a bright silver throughout. They look stunning.
“Sorry we're behind!” She calls, all smiles. “We were both out of practice with the wingpaint, and it takes forever to dry.”
“Plus there's all the braids.” Rune's voice emerges from somewhere behind her. “Between the three of us there's like, a million of them, and Kya’s hair takes even longer to braid.”
Kya finally steps off the stairs, and from behind her, emerges the most beautiful creature Quasar has ever seen.
Their frame is petite, and slender, as Fae tend to be. They are clad in a forest-green, A-line dress, with a giant slit down the front, revealing legs clad in dark pants, and very tall boots. A long train trails after them. The dress itself is sleeveless, but the person has on opera gloves matching the pants. Their hair is very intricately braided, with strands weaving in and out of place and falling softly over a bare shoulder. There is minimal makeup on their face, just something glittering on the cheeks. The jewelry is all gold and purple, from earrings to bracelets to the delicate-looking chains braided into their hair.
And their wings are gorgeous, light green and with a complicated-looking pattern completely covering them. It seems to be a repeating pattern of six different symbols, but Quasar isn't capable of trying to puzzle out their meanings at the moment.
“I think we managed okay, though.” The figure speaks in Rune's voice, and Quasar startles. No way. “Whoa, look at you, boys! You clean up nice!”
“Look who's talking!” Aegeus is off the table and next to Rune in a second. “I don't think I've ever seen you in this few layers!! Who knew you were hiding all this body, Rune?”
They laugh, slapping his arm lightly. “Shut up! I'm gonna be cold like halfway through the party, this is going to be a nightmare.”
They finally turn to look at Quasar, dark eyes full of humor and appreciation. There's no doubt; this enchanting creature, right out of a fairy tail, really is Rune. He's not sure how to handle that.
They smile. Quasar feels his body heat up under the armor.
“You look nice!” They say, beaming. “The Starlight armor really suits you.”
“T-thank you.” He croaks, taking a moment to look them over in an attempt to compose himself - which fails miserably, because this is when he notices their plunging neckline, halfway down the ribs and held in place only with delicate lace. “I- uh- you- gorgeous??”
“Thank you?” They raise an eyebrow at him, and tilt their head. Dragons, he is not used to that expression not partly hidden under a hat. “Is the carriage here yet? These boots are not made for walking, let me tell you.”
“It just parked outside!” Cain calls, from what feels like a million miles away. “Let's go before Quasar has an aneurysm!”
Rune approaches him. He is frozen in place, even as they take Quasar's arm into theirs. “Help me walk to the carriage, won't you?”
He moves automatically, acutely aware of where his arm is held close to Rune's chest. For once, he regrets wearing the armor, unable to feel the warmth of their skin.
Meet Aegeus Beccan (he/him), a half phantasm, half faun bard and cook with mysterious dream abilities who yearns for adventure beyond the kitchen. Luckily he can count on his pet rat Ramí for emotional support.
Spoilers for Tavern Talk Stories: Dreamwalker Act 3 (specifically the name Rune uses)
AO3 link
“What's the biggest red flag you've had on a date?”
It's late. The Drowsy Dragon is packed, much busier than usual for this time of evening, what with Una's party and your own visiting. Cosmo’s swamped with orders from the local patrons, so the adventuring parties decided to push two tables close together next to a wall and hang out there instead, with one or two people being sent to order every once in a while.
There's a festival going on in Borkam, too, so Cosmo's been doctoring drinks at patron’s request. Lightweight that you are, you might be a little drunk already when Una asks the question.
There's silence for a second around the table, and you contemplate whether you actually want to share the story. It was gross, after all, and honestly quite embarrassing in retrospect.
Aegeus answers before you have to.
“Oh, easy. On the first date, I took her to dinner and then a play, her choice. The play was a tragedy, and when I started crying, she walked out on me with no explanation.”
The table starts laughing, which he, thankfully, takes in stride.
“What was the play?” Cain asks, smiling.
“The ballad of Aeacides.”
Half the table winces in sympathy, and Delphi even pats him on the shoulder, while the other half looks confused. You don't blame him. It was one of the saddest plays you've ever seen. You were left sobbing for hours. Not that you'll ever share that piece of information.
“That's bad, but I've had worse.” Someone from Una's group says; you think her name is Nemesis? “She asked me to be her girlfriend on the way to our first date, and when I said no, she cried so hard I had to take her back home.”
Another round of winces, because yeah, that sounds awkward as all hell. Someone asks, “How old was she?”
“Like, at least 30. Human.”
“I've got it.” Kya chimes in. “This was a while back, before I left Avalon. They asked me on a double date, for the first date.” That alone already causes a stir. Because really, who does that? “When we got there, the other two people seemed really awkward, like they didn't know each other. Me and the other girl went to the bathroom together, and it turns out? We were on a date with the same. Person. The other guy was a decoy.”
There's a collective groan around the table. “Why are men like this.” Some lady from Una's group asked. You're too drunk to keep track of their names at this point.
The wizard guy from Una's party - Gideon! This one you actually remember - speaks up next.
“I brought them home after the date, but when they left, they stole my neighbor’s dog.” That causes a stir, not because of the date itself, but because who steals someone's dog?
The group devolves into bickering. Quasar takes the opportunity to go order another round - this time, with shots, at Kya’s request. He's back and almost done handing them out when Una turns to you, and smirks.
“What about you, Nael?” She asks, challenge in her posture. The crowd quiets down again, looking between the two of you. You sit up a little straighter. “No way you don't have a bad date story, not with how much trouble you always get into.”
Quasar pauses for a second, hand hovering over the drinks. Fuck, he's so pretty. You drag your focus back to Una. “I don't really date.” You tell her. “Mostly I sleep around.”
The group turns rowdy at that, laughter and wolf whistles answering you. Quasar goes back to distributing drinks, oddly stiff - well, more so than normal. Maybe he's a prude? And doesn't approve of casual sex? What a waste of a good, handsome Paladin.
“Maybe that'll change.” Una speaks, catching your attention once more. “But you must have a story at least, right?”
You consider carefully if you’re going to tell them. They're all leaning forward now, clearly curious, and it's obvious that Una is provoking you. You’re not usually capable of resisting provocation, even when you're sober.
Ah, what the hell. But you're not doing it this sober.
Wordlessly, you reach out for the shot in front of you. You down it in one go, slam the glass back on the table. Take a breath. Let it out.
“I once slept with a man who couldn't wipe his own ass.”
There's a beat of silence. Two. Then, all of a sudden, the table explodes around you.
“What? What do you mean, he didn't know-”
“What the heck, how, did he not learn, or-?”
“How did you even find out??? Did you smell it, or-?”
“Why on Earth would you sleep with him if you knew he didn't-”
They just keep talking over each other for a good five minutes. You feel the heat of your drink spread over you, leaving you warm and floaty. It feels so nice! Quasar is now sitting next to you, his shot untouched in front of him. You lean against his shoulder, eyeing the glass, vaguely aware that he’s frozen in place. Maybe he won't mind if you have a sip. A really long one.
“Alright, smartypants.” Una's voice cuts through the haze of alcohol. “I'm gonna need a little more than that.”
The others settle down, and you feel all their eyes staring at you. Even your friends are looking at you as if you completely lost your mind, waiting for an explanation. So you give it to them.
“‘was a while ago.” You tell them, your speech slurring. “Coupla months after I came t’Gaia. Met this guy, handsome. Tall, strong, dark-hair. My type.” You wave a hand, distracted by the way the candlelight shines all around, and not really paying attention when literally everyone else takes a second to look at Quasar before focusing back on you. “Took me back to his place, we had a good time. Next morning I wake up, and he's all sweaty and like. Stinky. Really stinky.”
“Ew.” Cain makes a face.
“Wasn't before, though. I wouldn't have gone with him if he was. I like my partners to smell nice.” You explain. Your hand darts out and steals the shot you'd been eyeing earlier. You down that one too, set it down next to yours, wiping your mouth with your sleeve. Quasar doesn't even try to stop you, still sitting oddly stiff. “But in the morning he did. Kinda like... Rotten chicken.” Nobody likes that. Kya even gags, and you're right there with her. He really did stink.
“Why didn't you leave immediately?” Delphi asks, incredulous.
“I didn't know it wasn't normal! I hadn't even met a human until I got to Gaia, I figured they were just stinky in the morning!” You gesture wildly, trying to defend yourself. “Would be rude to just- leave ‘cause of a normal bodily function, or something. And he'd been pretty nice so far!”
“Please tell me you didn't stick around for round two.” You don't think you've ever seen Cain look this grossed out.
“Well, it was the plan at first-”
“Ewww, Rune!”
“-but I didn't!”
“You haven't covered the whole ass-wiping thing.” Una got you back on track.
“I'm getting there!” You sit up straight. “So, I wake up, and I go to use his bathroom, right? But when I get there, I see that he didn't... Flush after using, last time.”
“Why are men like this.” The same person asks again, looking haunted.
“And I notice, there's no trash can in the bathroom. And there's no paper in the toilet bowl, just, y’know. The poop. Still in there. So I connect the dots.”
The table as a whole looks horrified, completely silent, just staring at you. You kind of agree. Dragons, you wish you'd known better.
“You did leave after that, right? Please tell me you left after that.” Kya reaches out to grab your hand, like it's an intervention or something. Who does she think you are?
“Of course I did.” You scoff. “I grabbed my things and left as fast as possible. And then I found a tavern and took the hottest and longest bath I could. And then I cast Prestidigitation ten more times for good measure.” You shudder. “I ran into the guy in town later and he had the balls to be angry that I left without an encore. Bastard.” You grumble.
Silence falls over the table once again, most of them looking haunted. Quasar, oddly, isn't looking at you at all, seemingly intent on staring down at his drink - the non-alcoholic one he's been nursing for the last half hour. He hasn't really moved since you were leaning on him. He's frowning, though. Looks upset about something. You wonder what’s wrong.
After a long time, Una claps her hands, smiling, though it is strained.
“Alright. I don't think I can beat that.” She says. “Nael, you officially win ‘worst date’ status. Your next drink’s on me. What are you having?”
“Actually” you say, blinking slowly at the table. Is everything spinning? “I don't feel so good.”
That has Quasar staring up at you, worried. “What's wrong? Do you feel sick? How many drinks have you had?”
“More than they should.” Delphi answers, counting the empty glasses in front of you. There's more than you remember ordering. There is a chance you may have been stealing drinks. Whoops.
“Small as they are, they're probably a lightweight.” Una laughs. The bitch. Tall people suck, always making fun of your small-ness. “They should probably have some water and go lie down.”
Quasar is on you the second you attempt to stand up, ready to catch you when you inevitably trip two steps away from the table. Oh man, his chest is so nice. Big and strong. And he looks good without the armor. Softer. Perfect for cuddling.
“Okay, you're clearly wasted.” He tells you, sounding exasperated. Is he blushing? “C'mon, I'll help you to your room. You need sleep.”
“All by themself?” Gideon asks, playing at innocence badly enough even you can tell. “They’re quite drunk. Shouldn’t someone stay with them to make sure they’re okay? A big, strong paladin, maybe?”
“You're not funny.” He answers, clipped. He's managed to pull one of your arms around his shoulder, his own holding you by the waist. He could probably just straight up carry you with no effort. “I'm not going to carry you, Rune, c'mon, you can still walk.”
Oh, have you been saying everything out loud? Oh whoops.
“Yes, you have.” He is blushing. Cute. “Shush. Let's go.”
Your pace isn't exactly fast, what with how the floor keeps spinning under you. Still, he holds you and helps you all the way to your room, and onto your bed, where you flop gracelessly.
You start struggling out of the outer layers of your robes, but they get tangled with your scarf when you try to pull them up. You hear him sigh, but then there are warm, gentle hands on you, helping you untangle all your layers so you can actually remove them.
Once you're out of your hat, scarf, and outer robes, you're left with just the inner, woolen layer that keeps you warm, your pants and undershirt, and your boots, staring up at him with wide eyes. He's looking down at you, seemingly torn between amused and worried.
“You're pretty.” You tell him. “Even with your stupid beard.”
“And you're drunk.” He tells you. The amusement seems to have won, because he smiles at you fondly. “Do you have water in here?”
You point to the small desk in the corner, where your water skin is. He gets it for you, and watches as you drink carefully from it. Only when you've had enough for his satisfaction, does he take the skin back. You flop back into bed, still watching him with what you just know is a besotted look on your face.
He puts the skin on the bedside table, and sits next to you to start taking off your boots. You let him, still watching.
“You're oddly quiet.” He says, looking up briefly at you. “Are you sure you're okay?”
“I can be quiet.” You protest. “‘M quiet all the time. Watching. Lookin’ at pretty things.”
“Casing your next target?” he asks, looking up long enough to smile at you.
“No.” you pause. “Well, yeah, that too, but. I like watching people. Like you.”
He sets the first boot down slowly, looking as you stretch out your foot, but not really seeing. “You like watching me?”
“Yeah.” you tell him. Holding yourself up to look at him gets too hard, so you flop back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “When you’re not looking. S’nice. I watch you go around town an’ help people. You’re really kind.” you nudge him a little, which startles him into actually undoing your second boot. “I like it.”
“Thanks.” you can tell that he’s smiling by the tone of his voice. He always sounds like that, all warm and unsure, like he doesn’t know what to do with himself when someone gives him a genuine complement.
Well, not someone. Delphi called him nice the other day and he answered differently. But he always goes all gooey when you say something. Maybe because you don’t compliment him all that often?
“There, all done.” he sets down your second boot on the floor and pushes your legs back on the bed. “Try to get some sleep, okay? And come find me if you have a hangover tomorrow, I’ll heal it for you.”
“Where’re you goin’?” you reach for him, trying to grabby-hands at his arm.
“To my room.” he smiles at you again, and makes his way to the side of your bed again. “I think I’m all partied out.”
“Stay.” you ask him, grabbing at his wrist.
The smile falls, and his eyebrows scrunch together. “Nael, I can’t-”
“Please.” you ask softly. “Just until I fall asleep.”
He sighs. You would normally feel bad about being this much work, but you’re drunk enough that you don’t care. You just want him close to you, or as much as you can get.
He pulls away from you, to your great distress, but when you whine about it he just pats your head softly. “Relax, I’m just getting a chair.” he tells you.
“Just sit on the bed.” you grumble. “‘S big enough.”
“I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
“Fuck propriety.” you glare at the general concept, feeling a thrill of satisfaction that the potty-mouth spell from downstairs doesn’t apply to the rooms. You really have to get that spell out of Cosmo one of these days. The entertainment potential is limitless. “Just come here already.”
He hesitates, visibly. Just stands there and looks at you, chewing on his lower lip as he considers it. You let yourself flop down, trying your best to look innocently up at him. No hidden agendas here, no siree.
Either he buys your act, or he decides it's not worth the trouble to deny you, because he gently pushes you closer to the wall and perches where you were before. You go with no resistance, waiting until he is sitting against the headboard to shuffle closer, and wrap an arm around his waist.
He stares down at you, amused. “What's this? Cuddling? From the most touch-averse person this side of Zenyth?”
“‘M a touchy drunk.” You tell him, shuffling even closer.
“I can see that.” He sounds fond now. His hand falls to your head, petting your hair softly. You close your eyes and hum, pleased. He smells nice. “Go to sleep, Nael.”
“Mmkay.” You mumble out, hiding your face on the side of his waist.
You are warm, and comfortable. The drink made you cuddly, and sleepy. You know you're not going to last long, not with him petting you so nicely. You will fall asleep. You just need to make sure he can't leave once you do. So you grab his waist tighter, shuffling closer and closer, until you're halfway to his lap.
“Nael.” He calls you, half-laughing.
“Shhhh. Sleepy time now.”
“Don't think I don't know what you're doing. You're not sneaky.”
“Shhhhhhhhh.”
He giggles, but obediently lets himself be pulled into lying down besides you. Yes, good. This is what you wanted to happen. You snuggle closer, lying down fully on top of his arm, and finally let yourself relax for real.
You're almost asleep, when you feel a hand push a strand of your hair back behind your ear. You hear a voice whisper something to you, but before you can react, you go under, and the words fade into a dream.
You're lucky I love you, you think you hear.
By the time the morning comes, you've forgotten all about it. Your head is pounding with your hangover, and pretty much everything after your second drink is a blur in your memory. You groan, and bury your face into the warm, firm and comfy pillow you're laying on top of. You're so warm, it's nice. There’s a pause, and then the feeling of a hand brushing through your hair. You fall asleep again so quick, you barely even register it, but your pillow does seem to be breathing. It smells very nice.
The next time you wake up, the headache is, magically, gone. You're sleeping on your side, clutching a pillow that seems too soft and oddly cold. Your water skin is on the bedside table, with a note in neat handwriting telling you to drink it. The only signature is a star.
You smile at it. What a goofball Paladin, coming in to check on you. Probably healed your hangover, too. You tuck the note away safely in your journal.
(Unbeknownst to you, Quasar was seen sneaking out of your bedroom in the early hours of the morning by none other than Cosmo themselves, who proceeded to tease him about it for a week straight. You never figure out why Una keeps snickering whenever she sees you two together.)
