Cherubplay

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"We are going to find an inn," He hummed, perpetually chipper, "And take a nice, uh, long bath! And lounge about and just relax. It will be wonderful." He continued coloring the flowers until they were all the bright yellow with brown centers they were supposed to be with slightly bumpy jade stems. Tavros, pleased with his work, -but not even /thinking/ about coloring the grass- stood up and giggled as Jabberwocky set down Gamzee fully. "Why do you think, there is such an absence of color and texture?"

"They cannot kill us, definitely not with /Alice/ around. He's a copper blood! He will most likely outrank everyone around." She snorted in disbelief, "If anything, they will just come up to Alice with backhanded words about his," Here, she put up air quotes with her fingers, "Lackeys. Really, I am positive that the purpleblood will fall to anger first. I doubt he will take the inevitable discrimination easily."

2014-08-01 22:07:26
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"...but, haven't you listened to them talk? Seems like he showed Alice around some. How could he do that in whatever city they mention sometimes? I thought it sounded bigger than this one....and we were both plenty rude to him at the table and he didn't say anything. ...he only got angry when you were talking to Alice about him rudely subliminally." Eridan was perplexed by how the other had survived. Was he just that frightening to them? "I guess we'll find out, though."

"I've never been at an inn before. Sounds pretty nice if you get to do all that relaxin'." Gamzee scratched around the Jabberwocky's shoulders in thanks for the lift over as he thought about Tavros's question. "Maybe...the Inbetween is in between...life and death or whatever. Like, it's not really dead, but it's not alive either. 'Cause both those things have color to 'em. But when you touch 'em it makes it alive again... Hell, I don't know, I'm just makin' shit up. Crazy thinkpan, been readin' too many whack story books."

2014-08-01 22:22:18
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Vriska rubber at her temples, already feeling a headache come on. Perhaps Gamzee was much more tempered than she was accustomed to or understood, but there was still a chance someone would do /something/ would happen; it didn't seem like it was likely that it would go without incident. "I just hope others refrain from coming near us," Vriska said finally, "That's all."

Tavros clicked his tongue, "You think? The Screechlands was like this, as well, but it was just the trees. The sand didn't change color," He was still quite confused as to what his Alice powers entailed, so he shrugged and finally stood up, readjusting his ribbon before motioning for the two of them to follow him, "Oh well. I think we should, uh, get going, huh?"

2014-08-01 22:40:35
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"That would be nice. I don't think I'd mind that," Eridan agreed. He really hoped it was smooth sailing, but didn't really have any of the aforementioned emotion at hand. He wasn't quite so worried about being safe anymore, at the very least.

"Maybe that was cause dirt is already dead? Sand's just crushed up bits of shells, I read somewhere... and the seadwellers live there. Maybe the sand didn't all up and change color cause it just is that color? It gets used by people, but no one's probably been by those trees for a while." He kind of really liked thinking like this. Of course it's what he amused himself with when he was in the woods, thinking about the possibilities of things.

He followed along, kind of excited to fly with their new companion. "Yea. You think it'll take long?"

2014-08-01 22:48:04
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"Ahh, that is a good point!" Tavros acknowledged, reaching out to take Gamzee's hand as he made his way back to the March Hare and Mad Hatter, "But, no, I do not think it will. Wocky seems, uh, rather fast." Gamzee had a pretty valid point when it came to his coloring; perhaps everything /was/ in between life and death. He still couldn't figure out why the Screechlands would also be affected, but he figured that, to an extent, the In-Between was just an extension of the Screechlands. Once back at their brief campground, he smiled, "Vriska, Eridan, we are about to continue on. Are you ready?"

Vriska nodded and stood up, dusting off her trousers before undoing the leather strap of the money pouch from her belt. "Alice," She began, feeling almost uncharacteristically kind as she held out the pretty hefty bag of money to him, "Take this."

With a questioning chirp, he tugged it open and peered inside, then gasped at the amount of money, "Oh my gosh..."

"Don't think of it as some kind of gift," She spat, though it was clear that her words weren't irritated or angry, more a front than anything, "You just have to be in possession of the money since I definitely can't be seen with it, lad." Even with her explanation, it was still a pretty big deal since Vriska rarely let others hold her money for any reason.

2014-08-01 23:02:27
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Gamzee took Tavros's hand and interlaced their fingers while they walked over, quite content with that affection. Looking over his companions shoulder lazily he paled at the amount of money sitting there, and looked back to Wocky, ignoring that it was even there. He didn't want to be much of anywhere near that much gold, figuring it would just cause problems.

Eridan got up too. "Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose. So we're riding this guy then? Suppose I should introduce myself..." He walked in front of the Jabberwocky, putting on all his highest airs. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Jabberwocky. I am Eridan Ampora. I do hope you don't mind the lateness of our introduction." He gave a little bow and waited to see how it would take his words.

2014-08-01 23:28:08
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Placing the money into his pack after briefly letting go of Gamzee's hand, he returned to his side and intertwined their fingers as he giggled at Eridan's introduction. It didn't seem necessary to have such a formal introduction, but he wasn't about to stop him; it was kind of entertaining.

The Jabberwocky gave Eridan a tiny sniff, then rumbled a happy growl in its chest and licked him. Vriska, snorting in laughter at the amount of saliva now in Eridan's hair, then strode over to the creature with questioning. "How are we supposed to get on it?"

Tavros shrugged, looking up at the Jabberwocky. It was probably the size of a fairly large horse, and, with playful excitement, the petite brownblood took several steps back. Then, he sprinted forward and launched himself up onto the back of the Jabberwocky, scrambling a bit while one hand held down his dress, then he sat atop the creature with a look of triumph. "Like that."

2014-08-02 00:17:37
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"Good glub was that really necessary?" Eridan asked indignantly with the slobber running down the side of his face. "You'll need proper manners if you want to take tea with us," he muttered, chuckling to himself at the image of it sitting at the table with all of them, prim and proper. He fixed himself up a bit, watching Alice's display.

The much taller purple blood laughed good-naturedly at Tavros's method of getting up on the Jabberwocky's back. He set his hands widely on the flying animal's back behind the seated brown blood, hopping up and using his arms to easily get himself up and seated behind his matesprit.

Eridan didn't look too sure about hopping like that. In the water he could have made it easily but not necessarily on land. Gamzee offered him a hand, and, remembering hoofbeast saddles from the city, flattened his foot as a step. "Here, bro, I'll haul ya up; use my foot as a stirrup." So Eridan did, getting up easily with his and Gamzee's combined strength. Gamzee offered the same silently to Vriska as an easier way to get up.

2014-08-02 00:45:34
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Seated comfortably between its large wings, he grinned at the world below, feeling tall and regal. "Ahhh," Tavros blushed slightly, holding his face in his hands, "I feel like a princess or something, on my own fancy horse."

Vriska almost retorted that he /was/ a princess, -but not in the kindly way that he would expect- reluctantly taking Gamzee's offer so that she could swing her leg over the back of the creature and sit. She didn't particularly want to, but she figured she had to start warming up to Gamzee; it was just that she had a difficult time getting accustomed to the fact that he wasn't going to rip her head off. Or Alice's. She wasn't sure why she felt the instinctive need to protect him now, not after all the shit she had originally given him. Vriska supposed that once she learned of Tavros's personality, his earnest desire to assist everyone he met, his selflessness, the way his nose scrunched right before he sneezed...She had only seen him sneeze once, while they were walking, but it was the most adorable thing she had ever seen and she was completely certain that her feelings were so pale that they were nearly white.

While she brooded behind Eridan, her arms looped around his waist, she indulged in one of the very few cuddles that had ever occurred between them. She laid her cheek against his back, brows furrowed as she began thinking.

Tavros, hands curled against the feathers of the Jabberwocky's neck, he leaned forward and kissed its scaled face, "Okay," He began, "Can you take us to the edge of the In-Between, sweetheart?" The Jabberwocky stretched some, flicking its wings before crouching down and launching into the sky. With a squeal of excitement, his hair zipped back behind him, his eyes alight and his grin scrunching his eyes. On the other hand, Vriska clutched onto Eridan a tad bit tighter as she felt her stomach turn somewhat. She had never flown for any reason before, and she was trying to get accustomed to the change in altitude and the pressure against her body, "Holy shit."

2014-08-02 01:15:20
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"Oh shit," Gamzee muttered, giggling in anticipation as the Jabberwocky crouched to launch them. As soon as they launched and the wind whipped past them he was laughing in joy and excitement, though he still nearly clung to Tavros with his arms around his waist and his knees squeezing the Jabberwocky's sides. He loosened a little on both of them once they were climbing and flying more gently, still laughing and nuzzling in to the back of Tavros's hair a little. "This is fuckin' the best, Wockybro!" he called to the creature.

Eridan was enjoying the cuddles probably more than he should, but they were really very relaxing. He looped one arm around Gamzee for security, not knowing what flying would be like at all. But when they got in the air he ended up being rather fond of it. He found the pressure changes to be analogous to when he dived deep in the sea, and the slight floating sensation was similar, too. Between the cuddling and the pleasant reminders of home, he was calmer than he'd been since they started this quest. He relaxed perceptibly, breathing deep and even, chilled out smile on his face as he closed his eyes and slouched a little. He could almost fall asleep up here.

2014-08-02 01:44:21
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Once they were stable, Vriska loosened her grip around Eridan and sighed quietly. They weren't too high in the sky, it seemed, and she was more than fine with being able to still see the path they were following. If they were this close, if she fell off, perhaps she would be alright to the point that they wouldn't have to stop their journey. Vriska swallowed thickly and sat up straight, her wild hair floating behind her. The initial launch was a little rough, and she had to clutch her hat to ensure that it wouldn't go flying, but now that they were merely floating along, she readjusted it and looked around.

The air was a bit colder but it was refreshing, it made the tips of his ears feel a little raw, as well as his nose, and his lungs filled with cool air that made him excited to keep going. The Jabberwocky seemed content enough, and Tavros, once the initial adrenaline was over, snuggled his back up against Gamzee and smiled up at him. "Isn't this fun?" He questioned, "I've never been in the air before, this is exciting but also, uh...relaxing? It is a very unique experience, at any rate."

2014-08-02 02:19:08
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Eridan sat quietly, just smiling and enjoying the sensation. He didn't mind the cold at all. It was nice and he stretched, holding on securely with his legs, before setting his arms down again, the picture of calm. He watched as the landscape drifted past, trying not to worry about their quickly approaching destination in favor of getting the most out of the unique experience.

Still giggling occasionally from the excitement and novelty, Gamzee surrounded Tavros with his arms lovingly when he leaned back into him. He looked down at him, smiling gently. "Boatloads of fun. It's pretty fuckin fantastic, though a little terrifyin. Suppose once I get a little more used to it flyin might be all up and right for gettin my chill on. No wonder Wocky here likes it up in the sky."

2014-08-02 02:36:35
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When she knew that she wasn't in any immediate danger that could potentially threaten her life, Vriska crossed her arms beneath her chest and started to really take in her surroundings. They weren't nearly high enough to start scaling clouds, but it was still a high enough point that she felt a difference in temperature. The cold didn't make her very happy, but the flying itself with all the smoothness of the Jabberwocky's inherent action was fun in itself. She could see, far off, the buildings of Undlegire and the massive wall that surrounded the city, much like others. They were getting close, and soon.

"I wish I could fly, too," He pouted, petting the feathers of the Jabberwocky's shoulders and neck as they floated along. Tavros, to keep his hands occupied, either pet the animal flying them or tugged up his stockings, wondering what Undlegire was like. He would see it get close, and while he was excited, he didn't want to leave Wocky behind.

Eventually, they landed on a hill in the outskirts of the In-Between, where the blanched grass began a stark difference with the rick dark green of Undlegire territory. The Jabberwocky sat close to the ground, and Tavros hugged it tight, nuzzling his face against its feathers. "Thank you for taking us here," He smiled, "It is sad to leave you behind already, but we should continue on, dear."

2014-08-02 03:13:31
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Gamzee hopped down first, petting the Jabberwocky's flank. "You'll see us again, bro. No worries." He held his hands up to Tavros to help him down if he wanted. It was still pretty high up, even if it was bending low. Also Gamzee just liked to be nice to Tavros, and thought continuing the princess sort of theme might be amusing while they could still interact like this without looking weird. "Might you like a hand down fair, uh, princess?" he smiled up at him.

Well, that ride was much to short for Eridan's taste. He was almost tempted to ask if they could just keep flying, even though he knew they couldn't. He hoped down too, absently offering a helping hand to Vriska if she wanted it even though she doubted she would, as it wasn't too high to jump from. His demeanor was becoming rapidly less relaxed, though he wasn't fidgety, just stiff and worried. He'd been doing a good job of ignoring the signs of city life, but now he was on the ground again and it was harder to ignore the imminent dread he felt.

2014-08-02 03:37:37
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Before Tavros could hop off the Jabberwocky in some kind of playful, energetic way, Gamzee had already slipped off and was offering his help in the most adorable way possible. With a grin, he moved from straddling the back of the Jabberwocky to sitting normally, then he leaned forward and fell into Gamzee's arms. He had kept his own outstretched so that they wrapped around his matesprit's neck, and he laughed sweetly. Purring affectionately, Tavros kissed his lips, "Why thank you, dear knight, for I had feared that I would, not make the trip down too safely."

Vriska could have just puked at how sickeningly cute they were - they were damn near giving her cavities. She was glad that Tavros was in such a good mood, but it was just a reminder that the remainder of her quadrants were startlingly empty. She dismissed Eridan's hand out to her, not wishing to be called dainty ever again, then hopped down easily from the back of the Jabberwocky.

The beast, saddened that they really did have to go now, refrained from affectionate licking and opted for kind nudges of its snout.

2014-08-02 04:01:38
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"Ah, much nicer behavior," Eridan commented at the friendly nudge. "We'll make a gentleman out of you yet, Wocky," he petted the creature, taking a fond liking to it since the flight was it's doing and the Hare had enjoyed it tremendously. He took no offense at Vriska's dismissal, somewhat ignoring the other two males' romantic display. Deep down under the layers of pompous, rude, and somewhat neurotic, he had to admit he thought it was very nice and quite cute.

He gave a short deep purr in response, kissing back before setting Tavros on the ground lightly. He blushed to his ears at being called a knight. "Aww, Tavbro, you're so sweet I'm broadcastin' my color all over the place here. Ah, reminds me," letting go of Tavros, not wanting to, he dug in his pocket for his paint. "Gotta put this bullshit on again before we reach civilization." He hiked his pack over his shoulder and got to the relatively laborious task of applying the stuff with a very small mirror and one hand, ready to walk if Tavros wanted to continue right away.

2014-08-02 04:18:43
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The Jabberwocky seemed to grin at Eridan's words, rubbing its head against Eridan's side before flexing its wings and offering last nudges to all. And with that, it flew off again, in the general area, more or less, before staying high in the sky and disappearing from few.

Tavros waved to it until it was out of sight, then smiled widely at Gamzee and kissed the tip of his nose. "Aw, do you have to?" He questioned with a tiny whine, "I like your bare face." He mostly liked the idea of kissing Gamzee and rubbing their cheeks together without having to worry about getting paint on him, but he didn't protest when he moved to begin painting his face. He probably wouldn't have stopped him, either way.

Vriska, glad to be on solid ground, made sure her saber was safely out of view lest she garner any more attention than was inevitable. Tavros lingered a bit, looking over his map and wondering just who he was supposed to meet in Undlegire. It was easy with the Hare and Hatter - they were out in the open for any and all to see, and there didn't seem to be any other citizens around, (he doubted that there were any to begin with) but Undlegire? Since it was a city, he was not sure just where to go or who to speak to in order to find the next person.

2014-08-02 04:25:25
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"Yea, I gotta," Gamzee said with a sigh. "Regulations and all that. Too damn difficult to see my eyes and officers can't go hackin' at people to make 'em all bleed, so forced to wear the paint; least in public. Gotta know who's a crazy motherfucker, after all. After we're all alone and settled indoors like I can take it off again," he grinned. He continued on with the smiling mask until he finished, noting Tavros just mulling around. "Does the riddle give any clues as to who you're supposed to chatter with here?"

Eridan also made sure his weapon and any sort of money or gold were out of sight in his bag. He straightened up and stood in their typical conglomeration, ready to move on and get this over with. The stalling was going to drive him madder. To distract himself he looked around, watching the Jabberwocky leave, and then gazing about the place. It was certainly more colorful than he was used to above water being, really only having spent time in the bare Screechlands.

2014-08-02 04:41:06
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Vriska, really, was having a difficult time getting used to all the color. The Screechlands were bare and monochrome, as was the In-Between. The sparse bit of color that Alice brought about was nothing in comparison to the beginnings of Undlegire, which was vivid and filled with such beauty that she often rubbed at her eyes, the orbs irritated a bit from the brightness.

The excitable colors matched Tavros's mood that only seemed to get more gleeful as time went on - his enthusiasm was pretty difficult to match. Even with Gamzee's talk about the blatant odds against his blood color, he was quick to try to make sure his matesprit was in a good mood. At the talk about his riddle, Tavros twirled about, his boots becoming scuffed from green grass stains as he shook his head, "No, not particularly. It really only tells me that I am supposed to meet, uh, someone from the Diamond kingdom, which is undoubtedly Undlegire, but I have not a clue as to who this specific person is. And that is really the extent of it - just one person." He sighed quietly to himself, reciting the riddle before folding the map and his notes back into his apron's pocket, " 'Forge a path from duo to one, the one shining like the burning sun - the third is valuable, expensive, truly a delight, and a trio is worth a red's fight.' "

"The one shining like the burning sun?" Vriska parroted, "That seems like a clue to me, Alice."

2014-08-02 05:02:04
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Gamzee nodded. "Maybe we just gotta find a fucker who's all up and glowing. Like in that one book I read," he smiled, it was one he liked. "This lady could light up, cause she was some magical sorta troll," he shrugged, cutting his story explanation short, feeling a bit foolish with his childish sort of fairy tales. He knew Tavros wouldn't judge him, maybe even be interested in hearing about it, but the other two...well he was making an effort to be friendly and they were civil enough, but Vriska especially could be rude. Eridan just seemed more of a downer to Gamzee, though he could be a bit of a prat.

Eridan wasn't having as much of a problem with the colors...all the corals and fish were very colorful under the waves and so it was kind of nice to see some on land for once. "Or maybe some sort of stained glass of someone," he thought, thinking of the colored glass they put up nearer the surface to shine light through. That was really all he could think to say on the topic. "But could we go? I'm getting antsy, waiting for the inevitable."

2014-08-02 05:16:24
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"It had better not be a rainbowdrinker," Vriska grumbled, readjusting her pack and looking a little eager to get going herself. If they were going to be subjected to what she knew would be judgement, may as well get it over with.

Tavros, seeing that everyone really did want to just shove off into the city, nodded to Eridan and skipped along the path. "Onward then, my dearest friends!" He sang, falling into laughter that he doubted would be reciprocated by his companions, not that he minded very much, "Let us venture into the great Undlegire~"

As they walked down the hill and across a couple smaller ones, the wall surrounding Undlegire came into view, along with a gigantic, spiraling wrought iron sign stating: 'Welcome to Undlegire.' Two guards, as was the standard, stood at one of the entrances of the wall, while a tower to the left of the sign held another guard. One of the guards at the bottom, a tall lady with a more muscular build, readjusted her lance and questioned, "Who comes forth?"

The brownblood, looking puzzled, stepped forward and politely curtsied, while Vriska, following his lead, bowed accordingly, "A traveler and three assistants, if you will."

It seemed that a log was being taken, as there was a brief pause before the woman questioned, "Blood colors?"

He figured that would have been asked regardless, and Tavros offered her a friendly smile, anything to get through this quicker, "I am a copperblood, along with a two purples and a blue."

There was another small pause, then the guard in the tower shouted to them below, "Opening the doors!"

The heavy stone of the doors were pulled open by some kind of contraption, and the bustling city of Undlegire was soon displayed to them as Tavros took tentative steps on the path that transformed from common dirt to cobblestone. The other guard opposite of the woman tipped his head and stated, "Have a wonderful stay in Undlegire, sir."

2014-08-02 05:26:30
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As they headed down the hills, Gamzee smiled a little at Tavros's enthusiasm. He liked to see him happy. It was much better than the worry he'd been seeing, and he hoped he could keep the mood up in the city. Vriska's comment intrigued him a little. That's what the character in the book had called themselves. He didn't think they were real.

As they approached, he changed up how they were marching around a bit. "You'd best walk next to Tavros, Hatter, not me. Look too funny," he said to her quietly, not wanting Tavros to get even marginally upset by the talk. He took up a position behind Tavros instead, Eridan next to him and behind Vriska, looking at him curiously.

Once they got closer, the taller purple inclined his head as he was used to in the other city, getting ready to be more demure than he was normally.

"What are you doing?" the Hare asked quietly, inquisitive and a little perturbed.

"Just keepin' my head down, ain't nothin' you probably gotta worry about too bad," he tried giving him a little reassuring smile. Then they were at the gate, and Tavros was asking questions.

As they passed through behind, the guards gave them a good once-over. The woman made him pause for a second, turning his chin up to look at him better, as he'd been mostly hiding his painted face. She raised an eyebrow but let them pass easily, a couple marks being made on the log but nothing more as they followed.

2014-08-02 05:44:54
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He knew his role well at this point, so he didn't question much that happened. Tavros looked around eagerly, his senses filled with the city. As a midblooded city, it held no real 'poor' sections, and was all rather clean and lovely without being gaudy or flamboyant like a warmblooded city. Excited, Tavros clapped his hands in delight and looked to Vriska, "Gosh," He gushed, "What should we do first?"

"You need a new dress, don't you?" She questioned, casting him a sidelong glance that Tavros nodded to, but it was clear that he wasn't sure where to begin. "Where would I go to do that?"

"The heart of cities holds the merchants and shops," She explained, trying to keep mild exasperation out of her voice; she couldn't be sure who was listening. They were not yet too far into the city to garner attention yet, but it was sure to come, "Shall we try there first?"

With a nod, he looked to Gamzee and Eridan, "What about our supplies? Should we stock up?"

2014-08-02 05:59:21
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Eridan just shrugged. He was still a little on edge, but it wasn't as bad as he expected. He was looking around curiously too, making sure to be discrete about it. The city structure was a bit different from what he was used to, but it was tasteful. He found he liked it. Vriska's tone was conservative for her, though, so he maintained silence, less likely to forget himself that way.

"Could probably use some more food," Gamzee muttered, "but I'd need to know how many days and people to really tell you. We might save that for later when we know better." He gave him a small, nearly imperceptible smile to keep his spirits up, though it didn't seem like they needed it much.

As they continued on, Eridan kept glancing surreptitiously, watching people watch them if there were, and taking in the city.

2014-08-02 06:09:10
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"Alright, we will wait then," Tavros agreed, absently rubbing at his injured shoulder as he looked around, "We will, uh, find an inn first. And then we will buy whatever not-quite-necessities we want. A new dress, things of that nature," The suggestion was still just that - a suggestion, but it was presented in such a way that it appeared not to be. Vriska just nodded, her hands shoved into her coat pocket to keep them from holding her hips in the mildly feisty way she always did.

Even though he knew where all the shops would probably be, he didn't know where an inn was located. Readjusting his pack, he walked about a bit aimlessly, then finally figured that, with a city so big, it would be best to just ask someone.

He walked over to an oliveblooded man, a slight aristocrat in some way, and began a polite interruption, "Excuse me? Sir?" The last formality was unneeded with such a gap in blood, but Tavros still felt compelled to include it, "Might you know the way, to an inn?"

As Tavros was gathering information, his little team of coldbloods stood back and Vriska was rigid. The man seemed friendly enough, at a first glance, but Vriska was watching his eyes. Tavros was, mostly, covered up, but the stripe of exposed flesh between his thigh highs and underneath his dress made her uneasy; she, personally, did not find much appeal to Tavros in that regard, but she knew others possibly would so she stayed on her guard perpetually. Once Tavros finished and returned to them, she gave a harsh glare to the man, not entirely certain if he had been peering at Tavros's backside but ensuring that he wouldn't dream of it now.

"We are closer than I thought," He smiled, "We follow main street for three intersections, and then an inn will be on our, uh, left." Giving a hand gesture to all, he motioned for them to follow him as Tavros began his way down main street.

2014-08-02 13:55:13