[ He follows her gaze before draining the last of his ale. He sets it down heavily on the table before pushing back from it, the legs of his chair scraping lightly across the wooden floor. ]
Yeah. I guess we should try to get an early start.
[ She pushes away from the table, getting to her feet, but as soon as she stands up, she blinks a few times, startled by the sudden lightheadedness. It's not terrible, and she doesn't feel completely off-balance, but it's strange. ]
... Huh.
[ She rests a hand on the chair as she steadies herself, like she's evaluating the sensation. ]
[ He waits patiently as she gets her bearings. Thankfully, she doesn't fall flat on her face (and he sends a quick word of gratitude to whatever gods are listening, because he's pretty sure that half-elven barkeep might descend upon him in a righteous fury).
When she seems steady enough, he offers her a quick, tight-lipped smile. ]
[ He follows after her, and while he doesn't grab hold of her arm, he still at least reaches out a little cautiously, ready to catch her.
But there's something a little overly cautious about it, something clearly exaggerated. He's joking as much as he's genuinely keeping an eye out for her. ]
You're sure? 'Cause there's no shame in needing a piggyback ride.
[ And now she feels like he's definitely messing with her. She looks over at him with a sly narrowing of her eyes, though she manages to contain her smile. ]
[ She's almost startled that he's following up on what she sort of started to assume was a bluff, but—
That's kind fo a challenge, and maybe it's the cider or just her nature, but she's more than willing to accept.
She shrugs, then steps around Peter, putting her hands on his shoulders. With a tiny hop, she hitches her legs up, winding herself around his broad back. ]
I'm not too heavy, am I?
[ She's willowy and arguably underfed, so she'd be sincerely shocked if he actually complained. ]
[ Yan also refrains from pointing out the differences in size from then to now, but he handles her with enough ease that she doesn't try to tease him for it. She rests her forehead on his shoulder as he carries her up, offering a quiet hum; she's enjoying the floating feeling, only made more intense when she's off the ground.
When they reach their landing, she's still wrapped around him without trying to drop down to the floor.
With a wide yawn, ]
That was a good dinner.
[ She doesn't really remember the last time she had a meal quite like that. ]
[ He's not entirely surprised that she doesn't hop down, but when he hears her yawn, when he feels the way she slumps against him, he hitches her a little pointedly. ]
Hey, c'mon. I agreed to give you a ride, not for you to fall asleep on me.
[ Small as this place is, it's only a few steps before he reaches the first of the boarding house's four rooms. His room sits beside hers. ]
[ He lets out an almost incredulous sound, mostly at the question – though he is a little puzzled over why she's making no move to climb down. He turns a little, speaking over his shoulder. ]
What, don't you want some privacy? I mean, you've known me all of two days. Figured you'd want the chance for some alone time.
[ Some of the tension ebbs out of her when Peter agrees, and she nods against his shoulder as he carries her to the next door. Almost reluctantly, she starts loosening her grip on him so she can slide to the floor. ]
[ He bends down a little to help ease the transition from his back to the floor, and when he's sure she isn't in danger of falling, he slips his hand inside of his coat to reach for an inner pocket. ]
I've got it.
[ He retrieves the key, unlocking the door and letting Yan step in first.
Peter had been up here earlier to drop off his belongings before dinner, which means the modest furnishings of the room don't surprise him. Then again, a small town like this, he wasn't expecting much to begin with. Still, it's reasonably cozy, if small, sporting a bed, a small table and chair – both currently occupied by his belongings – and a washstand. The lamp on the table is already lit, filling the room with warm, flickering light.
[ Yan looks around the small room quietly, taking note of the little bed, the chair, though she glances back at Peter when he speaks. She frowns, shaking her head. ]
I don't need that much space. You should have the bed.
[ He tosses his coat onto the back of the chair, returning to the door to lock it behind them. He tosses the room’s key onto the table in plain view as he moves to his pack, loosening the straps to free his bedroll. ]
[ She wrinkles her nose in immediate disapproval, but as he's focused on his pack, she starts to untie her dress. She turns away from him as she releases the garment, and in the same moment that it falls to the floor, she shifts into the small fox form, her tails fanning out behind her.
She turns stubbornly to look at Peter, and she hops up onto the foot of the bed, offering him a light yip, as if to say, "See?" ]
[ Foxes don't really have facial expressions, but she somehow still manages to look pleased with herself (in an "I win" sort of way). She nods, chirping quietly in quiet agreement. Peter has locked the door, and Yan doesn't exactly plan to wander out like this, so she's not that worried about the possibility of being seen; this is about as secure as it gets.
And, this way, Peter gets to sleep on the bed without having to compromise anywhere.
... Though she may bite him if he does actually kick her.
She pads over to one corner of the bed, and she turns in a small circle a few times, smoothing down the blanket until it's just right, and then she curls into a small ball with her tails tucked around her. ]
[ He strips out of his armor, laying it carefully on the table, before he tugs off his shirt. He sits on the edge of the bed, unfastening his boots. He glances over to where she’s taken up station on the corner of the bed. ]
[ Yan watches him with shrewd eyes, following the way he moves. It’s at least more subtle like this, the manner she observes him when he strips off his shirt (because he’s handsome?). She tries not to stare too much, but it’s easier for her to appreciate Peter when she’s less terrified of the potential that he means to skin her – or worse.
But as he looks over at her, she nods, resting her head on her paws with a little murmur that’s not quite a bark. She’s slept in weirder, more uncomfortable places before, and as far as she’s concerned, with a bed under her and the relative, comfortable warmth of being indoors and close to another body, she has no need to complain. Part of her feels safer like this, more normal and natural – but maybe that’s just because this form doesn’t draw the same attention her human one can. Occasionally, there’s something to be said for being treated like an animal; it can be a less objectionable objectification. ]
[ He looks skeptical for a second, but admittedly, this is a pretty good compromise for the situation. Neither of them has to sleep on the floor, and neither do they have to navigate the awkward dance of propriety when trying to share a bed. Not that Peter has ever considered himself someone who stands on ceremony, but he at least prides himself on not being a total sleezeball.
He kicks off his boots and unfastens his last weapon – a sheathed dagger at his back – to leave it resting beneath his pillow. He doesn’t expect trouble, but it’s an old habit he picked up from his shadier days that he has yet to break. He does one last circuit of the room – another bad, slightly paranoid habit – before he brings the lamp over to the nightstand. He snuffs the light before he slips under the covers, mindful of Yan’s position at the corner of the bed, and he lets out a relieved sigh as he settles. It’s been about a week since he last slept in a proper bed, and depending on how the meeting with the alchemist goes tomorrow, it could be his last time for a while. ]
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no subject
Yeah. I guess we should try to get an early start.
Think you can manage the walk?
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[ She pushes away from the table, getting to her feet, but as soon as she stands up, she blinks a few times, startled by the sudden lightheadedness. It's not terrible, and she doesn't feel completely off-balance, but it's strange. ]
... Huh.
[ She rests a hand on the chair as she steadies herself, like she's evaluating the sensation. ]
no subject
When she seems steady enough, he offers her a quick, tight-lipped smile. ]
Yeah. We call that being tipsy.
Feel okay?
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[ Which seems like a very accurate way to describe it, since it's like she might tip over – but not quite.
She manages to take a few steps from the table, finally getting her bearings. ]
I'm good.
no subject
But there's something a little overly cautious about it, something clearly exaggerated. He's joking as much as he's genuinely keeping an eye out for her. ]
You're sure? 'Cause there's no shame in needing a piggyback ride.
no subject
Maybe I do need a piggyback ride.
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You wanna hop on?
[ Apparently he was not just bluffing. ]
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That's kind fo a challenge, and maybe it's the cider or just her nature, but she's more than willing to accept.
She shrugs, then steps around Peter, putting her hands on his shoulders. With a tiny hop, she hitches her legs up, winding herself around his broad back. ]
I'm not too heavy, am I?
[ She's willowy and arguably underfed, so she'd be sincerely shocked if he actually complained. ]
no subject
I already carried you for the better part of two days. I think I can manage to get you up a flight of stairs.
[ Granted, she had been in her smaller fox form, at the time, but he's not wrong.
Still, he doesn't seem to struggle as he climbs the stairs up to their rooms. ]
no subject
When they reach their landing, she's still wrapped around him without trying to drop down to the floor.
With a wide yawn, ]
That was a good dinner.
[ She doesn't really remember the last time she had a meal quite like that. ]
no subject
Hey, c'mon. I agreed to give you a ride, not for you to fall asleep on me.
[ Small as this place is, it's only a few steps before he reaches the first of the boarding house's four rooms. His room sits beside hers. ]
Got your key?
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Mmhmm. In my pocket.
[ ... And still not hopping down. ]
Why— [ Another sleepy yawn. ] —did we get two rooms?
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What, don't you want some privacy? I mean, you've known me all of two days. Figured you'd want the chance for some alone time.
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I still have the rune on my foot. I don't— [ A flicker of hesitation. ] I don't want to be alone like this.
[ What if she sleeps too heavily? What if someone shows up in the middle of the night and she doesn't sense them first?
In her own room, she'd probably just end up sleeping under the bed, for fear of being too exposed. ]
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After a moment of hesitation, he starts heading to the next door. ]
Guess you'll have to bunk with me tonight, then.
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Key?
no subject
I've got it.
[ He retrieves the key, unlocking the door and letting Yan step in first.
Peter had been up here earlier to drop off his belongings before dinner, which means the modest furnishings of the room don't surprise him. Then again, a small town like this, he wasn't expecting much to begin with. Still, it's reasonably cozy, if small, sporting a bed, a small table and chair – both currently occupied by his belongings – and a washstand. The lamp on the table is already lit, filling the room with warm, flickering light.
He starts shrugging out of his coat. ]
Take the bed.
no subject
I don't need that much space. You should have the bed.
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I can take the floor. It’s fine.
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She turns stubbornly to look at Peter, and she hops up onto the foot of the bed, offering him a light yip, as if to say, "See?" ]
no subject
Right, right. The fox thing.
Right.
(Stupid of him to forget. Yondu would’ve clocked him for letting his guard down.)
He lets out a sigh, setting the bedroll to one side. He grumbles, ]
Yeah, yeah, fine. Point made.
[ He hesitates before moving to undo the fastenings on his armor. ]
Don’t let anyone see you like that, though. And don’t complain to me if I kick you in the middle of the night.
no subject
And, this way, Peter gets to sleep on the bed without having to compromise anywhere.
... Though she may bite him if he does actually kick her.
She pads over to one corner of the bed, and she turns in a small circle a few times, smoothing down the blanket until it's just right, and then she curls into a small ball with her tails tucked around her. ]
no subject
You’re sure you’re good like that?
no subject
[ Yan watches him with shrewd eyes, following the way he moves. It’s at least more subtle like this, the manner she observes him when he strips off his shirt (because he’s handsome?). She tries not to stare too much, but it’s easier for her to appreciate Peter when she’s less terrified of the potential that he means to skin her – or worse.
But as he looks over at her, she nods, resting her head on her paws with a little murmur that’s not quite a bark. She’s slept in weirder, more uncomfortable places before, and as far as she’s concerned, with a bed under her and the relative, comfortable warmth of being indoors and close to another body, she has no need to complain. Part of her feels safer like this, more normal and natural – but maybe that’s just because this form doesn’t draw the same attention her human one can. Occasionally, there’s something to be said for being treated like an animal; it can be a less objectionable objectification. ]
no subject
He kicks off his boots and unfastens his last weapon – a sheathed dagger at his back – to leave it resting beneath his pillow. He doesn’t expect trouble, but it’s an old habit he picked up from his shadier days that he has yet to break. He does one last circuit of the room – another bad, slightly paranoid habit – before he brings the lamp over to the nightstand. He snuffs the light before he slips under the covers, mindful of Yan’s position at the corner of the bed, and he lets out a relieved sigh as he settles. It’s been about a week since he last slept in a proper bed, and depending on how the meeting with the alchemist goes tomorrow, it could be his last time for a while. ]
Night, Yan.