but it is different, because this is someone who has earned therion's extremely difficult trust - someone who is like jiaoqiu, but someone who has been around for much longer. and sure enough, as he's about to open his mouth to respond, there's a soft female voice, and a jingle of bells.
"Oh, are we connected? That's a surprise to me."
there's a lilt of teasing surprise to the voice, and out from the shadows - out of nowhere, a woman appears at the table, leaning on it with a smile. this is of course, the prettiest lady, and the dancer from the stage. despite all the jewels and bells, she made a perfectly silent entrance, appearing only when she wanted to be seen. she's flushed a little and smiling, and without any other word, she sits down besides therion, trapping him in the booth, chin in her hand as she examines jiaoqiu, up, and down - therion rolls his eyes, but makes room.
"And who's this?" she asks, with a hum. ]
God, you're sweaty - Primrose, you're already off the stage, you can stop showing off.
look, he might not be interested in other people, but primrose is objectively beautiful, and he takes a second to admire her. respectfully, of course, he doesn't ogle her or look at her boobs or all her exposed skin - he just takes her in, and appreciates her aesthetic. he gives her a smile, too. something much more honest than his normal one. obviously, therion trusts her, considering he didn't skitter up the wall when primrose sat down, so she must be good people.
he takes the up and down look serenely, ear flicking. ]
Jiaoqiu. [ he says, bowing his head. as best he can at the table, anyway. ] Primrose, hm? A beautiful name to suit a beautiful woman. Though you must also have the patience of a saint if you're friends with Therion.
[ he can be charming sometimes. he's a brat all of the time when it comes to therion. ]
[ wow, rude? primrose chuckles, clearly finding this immediately funny, and she props her chin in her hand. "Oh, you have no idea."
also rude????? therion is starting to regret this immediately. she hums, reaching for the skewer off of therion's plate and just taking it, picking off a piece to eat. jiaoqiu will get the sense that he's being scrutinized too, but it's quick. "Jiaoqiu. Aren't you a charmer? It's a pleasure. You are right - he helped me out of a bind, a few years ago. "
oh that really gets therion to roll his eyes. he makes a tch noise, hunkering down into his sweatshirt. don't tell people he's nice. what the fuck.
"This tavern is mine, nowadays, so you'll be staying in the upstairs rooms, I believe - though it is not without its cost..." ]
[ aww... therion helped her. squishy. he really just lets her bully him, wow. jiaoqiu is impressed.
he doesn't mind being scrutinized. the impression he's getting from this woman is that she's extremely savvy, and that if he doesn't pass muster she's going to destroy him, so he's behaving. a beat, as his ear flicks. ]
A cost? [ he does not look at therion, he just addresses her politely...... like, money, or. ]
[ hey!!!! shut up!!! he's tough and edgy and evil!!!
a cost, indeed. primrose smiles. it's sort of a similar smile to jiaoqiu's in that it is full of mischief. it is spicy. she folds her hands together. "Tell me all about how much of a saint you are, hmm? I'd love to know how you got here."
no she just wants gossip. therion rolls his eyes so hard he could arguably send them out of his head, and he starts trying to get up like he's just going to clamber out of the booth. ]
Get your nose out of my business. [ GRUMBLING!!! primrose pulls him back down. ]
[ help!!! jiaoqiu is SO amused by this, and it is very clear. his own smile goes impish to match, his tail waving gently behind him. ]
It isn't just your business. [ he says, glancing at therion. he doesn't mind, like. he's not going to tell her absolutely every detail because as much as he likes her already there are some things he can't talk about, but. he can give her a little gossip. ]
I found an injured, hissing cat outside my pharmacy. I took him home and bandaged him up, and he kept coming back. [ lightly. and then: ] And eventually, he helped me out of a bind, as well.
I owe him my life and much more. Patience comes easy.
[ he's just making this icon face at this point because this is torture. red cheeked and flustered, he sinks a little lower into the chair, and the worst part of it is that i owe him my life and much more gives him a stupid little doki flutter, and he hates it here!!! he's just going to pick more meat off this skewer and eat it and not sulk.
in the meantime, primrose listens to this answer. despite the slight, mischievous turn to her smile, there's something that softens, faintly, in her face as jiaoqiu continues, and just like that, she understands. she looks at therion for a long moment, and then back to jiaoqiu.
"I see. Well. Don't mind his sulking - ] Not sulking. [ --"But I think I can see where you're coming from." for as subtle as this phrase is, there's a hidden undertone - she knows therion well, and she knows what it must mean to him, to bring someone back to this place.
and so, primrose smiles a little further, leaning back away from jiaoqiu now, less scrutinizing and more just interested. her voice is soft, alluring, but she's not trying to seduce. like a comfortable, lounging jungle cat. "This is the first time I've ever had the pleasure of entertaining his guest, is all. I can't chat for long, and I doubt you'll want to stay out and about for much longer, but... perhaps you'll lend me a bit of your time so we can chat one to one, tomorrow before we open? And if you need anything, feel free to ask. ]
[ unfortunately for therion jiaoqiu thinks the sulking is very cute, and his gaze flicks to him once or twice as he slowly becomes sludge in his chair. when he looks, his expression gets warmer, bit by bit. at least embarrassing him got him to eat a little. ]
Of course, Miss Primrose. I'd be delighted. [ that's genuine - he'd love to talk to her one on one. someone who understands therion the way jiaoqiu has learned to understand him over time would make him happy. and besides that, she seems to him like a very kind, very confident woman. someone worth knowing.
his tail keeps wagging gently behind him. ]
I appreciate it. I imagine we'll be able to find our way. Therion will, if only to stop us from speaking.
"Therion could stand to speak more often." primrose says with a chuckle as she pushes herself up from her seat, looking over at therion who is once again Definitely Not Sulking. this is a direct point at him because he refuses to talk about his feelings at any time, and he is aware she's making a direct point at him, and he is ignoring it.
as she stands, she dips her head, graceful. "I think we'll make fast friends - and you can drop the 'miss'." there is no room for politeness, here in this place, after all. after a moment, she gracefully tosses something to therion - a set of keys - and winks. where she was keeping them in that tiny outfit, who knows...
"It's good to see you, Therion. We'll talk tomorrow, too." primrose adds, one last time - he grumbles, and the sulking mostly disappears off of his face as he catches the keys, shrugging his shoulder instead of responding properly, which is his version of acknowledging it, which is more than he's offered to maybe almost anyone else he's ever interacted with, or at least that jiaoqiu's seen him interact with.
the keys go around his fingertips as primrose calls over her shoulder, Maybe tomorrow, you'll arrive in time to watch a dance, hmm? Sleep well." and like a breath of fresh air, she's gone, off to go check on the girls who work for her, now. ]
[ oh, he's a big fan of the callout, too. maybe they should stay here forever actually? but she stands up, off to go attend to her girls, and jiaoqiu waves, watching her go. when she's out of sight, he looks at therion, expression warm and pleased.
[ on her way out, primrose murmurs something to therion that makes him look like a startled, flustered cat - he swats at her and she bows gracefully out of his way, and then goes about her business. sheesh. that leaves him to turn to jiaoqiu's warm smile, and - god. he has a headache suddenly. ]
Yeah, somehow, not surprised. [ and he makes a little 'tch' noise. because he is a tsundere. however, at the last question he glances jiaoqiu up and down, briefly, sweeping - checking. ]
How's your leg? [ or more so - are you feeling up to staying out? ]
[ help, he's so curious about what primrose said, but he politely does not ask.
instead, he glances down at his leg, and his ear flicks. ]
It's fine. A little stiff. [ but therion would be able to tell if it actually hurt him because again, jiaoqiu is a weenie. ] I should be fine to walk, if that's what we decide.
[ mm. he doesn't say anything in response, but it's acknowledgement enough, and thinks it over for a minute, finishing off his drink. if he's feeling alright to walk, then... ]
's a night market a few streets down. [ it would be good to pick up some supplies since they'll be here for a few days, and the night market is somewhere that therion has stolen things from like, way too many times so it's very familiar.
that, and: ] They've got a lot of food stalls. You might be able to find something for your demon taste buds.
[ oh!! night market... he looks kind of excited about this, actually. the food stalls even more so, but therion's comment makes him laugh. ]
Someday you will appreciate spice. [ a hum. ] I would like to visit the night market. I'm sure there are things we'll need.
[ he probably brought extra clothes and like, toiletries, but anything other than what he could fit in a duffel bag he left behind. his poor apartment. ]
Than... let's go? [ he probably should stretch, anyway. ]
[ though he doesn't say it - barely even admits it to himself - there's that warm, achy little feeling watching jiaoqiu brighten up like that. he thought he might like it. there's something about watching him be lively that's novel, because, well. he's seen the opposite. often.
not...recently, though. which, after the week or so they had, maybe that's understandable.
either way, therion nods, his cool guy persona officially On, and nods. they can take a brief detour to drop their shit off upstairs - there's not much time to look at the room itself, but it's a nice little ensuite with a little mini kitchen in it, the kind of ameneties that only someone like primrose would take care of. (he'd called her when jiaoqiu was asleep, resting off his injuries. mentioned he liked to cook. figures she'd find a way to get what he was asking for without him even needing to do so - that's part of why he's come to trust primrose, what made them work well together.)
but that's a quick trip, so. back down they go to the main floor, and out into the desert night.
the night market is a pretty, bustling place, once again full of sights, sounds and colors - large silks drape over the top of the aisleways, casting starlit color lines on the ground. there are merchants selling just about everything you could ask for here, and the entire place smells like aromatics and spices, with merchants hawking their wares from across the planet, let alone just from across this continent. regular merchants mix with merchants selling magical objects, magical creatures, plants and flowers, weapons, jewels, and of course, lots and lots of food. it is an utter hubbub of humanity, here, and the many shoppers make the streets busy and crowded.
therion's been here a million times, so. he adjusts his hood down, and makes a gesture with his hand - a "go on", and he'll follow. he's kind of curious to see where jiaoqiu's nature and curiosity will lead him around this place, anyway. he'd like to, secretly, see him brighten up like that again. ]
[ the kitchen also gets little approving noises out of jiaoqiu as they deposit their stuff. primrose is the best for getting them a room like this, but - more than anything, therion thought ahead. he considered what jiaoqiu might like to have, and that makes him feel warm. before they walk back out into the night, jiaoqiu reaches to touch again, rests a hand on therion's lower back and leans to nose at the side of his head. like a cat, almost. not a kiss, but just affectionate rubbing his face against therion. enjoy your fox not-boyfriend.
but, night market it is! jiaoqiu stays close to therion out of instinct - he trusts therion to watch his back, trusts him to make sure that nobody is going to sneak up on them or hurt them. therion can probably see it, even, the way he eases up, the way he's less vigilant about trying to hear everything around them because therion is at his back.
there's so much going on here that he's not sure where to go first, so he just wanders. the food gets his attention, of course, but he waits on that one. he's not hungry enough. instead, he wanders to a stall with a collection of jewelry and gems. the merchant jabbers at him to try and sell him on things, and jiaoqiu politely ignores him, running his fingers over the gems and bracelets, necklaces. he glances at therion a couple of times, almost considering him, and then back at a collection of jade bracelets.
this is not things they Need to buy, but. his tail is waving gently behind him and his smile isn't that fake one he usually wears. ]
[ oogh embarrassing. therion grumbles about the face rubbing but he also definitely leans into it, so like, clearly it doesn't bother him that much.
off they go! honestly, he'd be more surprised if jiaoqiu did keep this to a needs only trip, because no one here ever does. the whole point is to draw the eye, after all. for the most part, therion seems perfectly content to stay just a step behind his wandering, alert to their surroundings and paying close attention. what they have not seen here is a single borisin - he can't imagine the hot climate is any pleasure for creatures that are mostly fur as opposed to just a little, which helps to ease the way even further. it's not like anyone who could be skulking around this market is more shady than therion is, after all, so a close eye is more than enough to keep any potential pickpocket at bay.
by that nature, he keeps his eye on jiaoqiu. his tailwag is obvious, a little charming, and he finds himself watching it, then lifting his gaze back up when he feels jiaoqiu looking at him, sees that for once honest looking smile. his eyebrows raise, the neutral bitchface completely unaffected, but he will step up since jiaoqiu's looking, sticking his hands in his pockets and peering over at the merchant's display.
An excellent gift for a lovely lady in your life. says the merchant, and therion can't help it - he snorts, turning his head to snicker into his own shoulder. yeah, okay. lady in his life. ]
[ jiaoqiu also snorts, actually, bringing his hand up to his mouth like he's considering the wares and not covering a laugh. the merchant looks a little disgruntled, but it's fine, jiaoqiu is so very unconcerned about it.
when therion comes a little closer, jiaoqiu's tail instinctively curls around his legs, briefly. kind of just like a hello sort of gentle whap. and then he reaches for one of the bracelets - a beaded jade one. the green of the jade is a very particular color, a very specific shade of green, and though jiaoqiu doesn't say anything about it, he looks at therion's visible eye one more time before he picks it up and asks the merchant how much.
the price seems reasonable enough to him, and he slips it onto his own wrist once he's handed over the money. and then he glances at therion. ]
[ gross! that's gay. therion takes that and the tail around his legs in for a minute - it does not occur to him that's why jiaoqiu has picked out the jade no matter how similar the shade is. however, he's paying attention to the color, and while the merchant is distracted chatting with jiaoqiu about the price, he casually plucks a pendant made of the same jade and tucks it into his pocket. it's gone by the time jiaoqiu addresses him - therion tilts his head, then shrugs. ]
Not really my thing.
[ the hand that just committed naughty thief crimes comes free from his pocket, and absently, he reaches up to feel around the shell of his ear, thumbing at one of the piercings at the question, though. they're old black studs, having lost all their gleam and glimmer because he wears them so often, so honestly they could probably stand to be replaced - a couple in the lobe, one at the top. considering his line of work ("work") he doesn't wear anything dangly. he's had the same ones in since he met jiaoqiu. he honestly has probably never even taken them out to clean them. ]
's not bad quality. [ with a nod towards what jiaoqiu picked up. the merchant, unaware that he has just been robbed, looks pleased at this assessment from the grumpy looking guy. ]
[ boy, your ears are going to get infected. in fact he probably has taken them out to clean them at least once since he met jiaoqiu because his fussy ass would have noticed.
but regardless, jiaoqiu hums, covering his bracelet with his shirt for now. i don't know what he's wearing i was looking for something but assume it's probably just like a dress shirt with a red cardigan and like, dark slacks with a tail hole. good enough. he did not see therion steal, but honestly he would not care a single bit if he had, so that's fine. ]
Fine enough to buy from. [ a beat. ] I'd like to find you something.
[ nothing dangly, but... maybe an earring stud of some kind. imagine jiaoqiu with pierced ears, how wild would that be. anyway - he gives a little head bow to the merchant, and wanders off further into the market. now he's searching for some sort of clothing store. maybe a scarf...
as he walks he runs his fingers absently over the jade bracelet. ]
[ i am also imagining jiaoqiu with ear piercings and good for him. edgy era.
anyway!! they move further into the market stalls and stands, weaving easily through the different wares. the crowd thickens a little as they get further in, and therion steps a little closer to him as they walk so he can actually hear - he nudges someone away from bumping into jiaoqiu's tail, casually, and snorts. ] If I want something, I'll just take it, fluff.
[ therion that is NOT the point and you know it. he has to say these things because that is just the kind of person that he is - but it's also not a denial or anything, he's not going to stop him. he just kind of raises his eyebrows, and while jiaoqiu is distracted, therion slips the pendant into the pocket of his cardigan and leaves it there.
in the meantime... there are a couple of nice clothing stalls here and there - some selling handmade knit goods, some selling pretty fabrics, embroidery, things like that! run by everything from nice grandmas to sketchy merchants. there's a young lady merchant hawking jewelry made of skystones. there's all kinds of wild things. ]
Yes, but then you rob me of the excuse to find you something without holes worn into it.
[ the way he's going to find this pendant later and think he accidentally stole it,
also, i see you tressa. jiaoqiu does not know who that is and he's distracted by the fabrics at this one store with a more nice grandma owner vibe to it, peering at the different designs and colors. he runs his fingers over several of them - he seems to like silks and softer things. but he's particularly interested in a purple one, something thicker and warmer. it's a dark purple and the design is subtle, the purple at the ends of the scarf getting lighter and varied. it is kind of reminiscent of a fox tail.
his ear flicks as he looks it over, rubbing it between his fingers. ]
probably. this is not a good defense at all, actually. also i'm crying. jiaoqiu please.
therion follows him over there to the grandma store, and here, he... keeps his hands to himself, tucked into his pockets. the little old lady running the place greets them both with a cheerful smile, and he nods briefly in greeting, then follows jiaoqiu over to where he's looking at the scarves.
and...listen, he's not stupid. the jade was a little more subtle. this, however. anyone with eyes could probably tell therion's favorite color is purple, and his ancient, threadbare scarf is not one of those items without holes he mentioned before. he watches jiaoqiu investigate it, maybe a little too closely, and ducks deeper into the scarf he is wearing - his cheeks are turning pink, visible even in the evening light. ]
[ jiaoqiu's tail is swaying back and forth the way you might think a mischievous cartoon fox's might, when he sees that blush. a beat, and then he reaches over to tug therion's scarf, gently. ]
Is this too detailed? [ he figures most of the clothes that therion wears are so that he can't be picked out in a crowd, so much. he doesn't want to get therion something that is easy to track him down with, even if he likes the way it looks.
plus, he doesn't want to insult therion's clothes. it's one thing to spoil him - it's another to make him feel bad or embarrassed because he wears his clothes to the bone, often out of necessity. it's why jiaoqiu's voice is easy, casual. like he'll find something else, if therion gets upset. ]
[ this is making him feel some kind of way!!!! not insulted or shamed of his own clothes or anything, because therion is rarely shamed by anything and he lives the way he likes thank you very much, but the concept of jiaoqiu just. wanting to buy him something is a lot. it's new, and it makes him feel very squirmy internally, and he flusters specifically because he has no idea how to handle it, turning redder at the ears.
it means his response is more well behaved than usual - therion comes over to look, tucking a little further into his scarf to hide his nose, which is turning red - and after a minute, shakes his head. he can just tuck the edges into his sweatshirt if he's worried about it. it's how he's wearing his normal one right now, so there's nothing to grab onto. ]
You're really stuck on this, huh. [ doing a nice thing for him. he doesn't sound mad about it. he is just embarrassed.
... and after a long minute, he reaches up, and unwinds his usual scarf from around his neck. he's still got a couple visible bandages under his collar, but otherwise he's bare if he wants to. put it on him or something. ]
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[ okay, therion
but it is different, because this is someone who has earned therion's extremely difficult trust - someone who is like jiaoqiu, but someone who has been around for much longer. and sure enough, as he's about to open his mouth to respond, there's a soft female voice, and a jingle of bells.
"Oh, are we connected? That's a surprise to me."
there's a lilt of teasing surprise to the voice, and out from the shadows - out of nowhere, a woman appears at the table, leaning on it with a smile. this is of course, the prettiest lady, and the dancer from the stage. despite all the jewels and bells, she made a perfectly silent entrance, appearing only when she wanted to be seen. she's flushed a little and smiling, and without any other word, she sits down besides therion, trapping him in the booth, chin in her hand as she examines jiaoqiu, up, and down - therion rolls his eyes, but makes room.
"And who's this?" she asks, with a hum. ]
God, you're sweaty - Primrose, you're already off the stage, you can stop showing off.
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look, he might not be interested in other people, but primrose is objectively beautiful, and he takes a second to admire her. respectfully, of course, he doesn't ogle her or look at her boobs or all her exposed skin - he just takes her in, and appreciates her aesthetic. he gives her a smile, too. something much more honest than his normal one. obviously, therion trusts her, considering he didn't skitter up the wall when primrose sat down, so she must be good people.
he takes the up and down look serenely, ear flicking. ]
Jiaoqiu. [ he says, bowing his head. as best he can at the table, anyway. ] Primrose, hm? A beautiful name to suit a beautiful woman. Though you must also have the patience of a saint if you're friends with Therion.
[ he can be charming sometimes. he's a brat all of the time when it comes to therion. ]
It's a pleasure to meet you.
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also rude????? therion is starting to regret this immediately. she hums, reaching for the skewer off of therion's plate and just taking it, picking off a piece to eat. jiaoqiu will get the sense that he's being scrutinized too, but it's quick. "Jiaoqiu. Aren't you a charmer? It's a pleasure. You are right - he helped me out of a bind, a few years ago. "
oh that really gets therion to roll his eyes. he makes a tch noise, hunkering down into his sweatshirt. don't tell people he's nice. what the fuck.
"This tavern is mine, nowadays, so you'll be staying in the upstairs rooms, I believe - though it is not without its cost..." ]
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he doesn't mind being scrutinized. the impression he's getting from this woman is that she's extremely savvy, and that if he doesn't pass muster she's going to destroy him, so he's behaving. a beat, as his ear flicks. ]
A cost? [ he does not look at therion, he just addresses her politely...... like, money, or. ]
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a cost, indeed. primrose smiles. it's sort of a similar smile to jiaoqiu's in that it is full of mischief. it is spicy. she folds her hands together. "Tell me all about how much of a saint you are, hmm? I'd love to know how you got here."
no she just wants gossip. therion rolls his eyes so hard he could arguably send them out of his head, and he starts trying to get up like he's just going to clamber out of the booth. ]
Get your nose out of my business. [ GRUMBLING!!! primrose pulls him back down. ]
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It isn't just your business. [ he says, glancing at therion. he doesn't mind, like. he's not going to tell her absolutely every detail because as much as he likes her already there are some things he can't talk about, but. he can give her a little gossip. ]
I found an injured, hissing cat outside my pharmacy. I took him home and bandaged him up, and he kept coming back. [ lightly. and then: ] And eventually, he helped me out of a bind, as well.
I owe him my life and much more. Patience comes easy.
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in the meantime, primrose listens to this answer. despite the slight, mischievous turn to her smile, there's something that softens, faintly, in her face as jiaoqiu continues, and just like that, she understands. she looks at therion for a long moment, and then back to jiaoqiu.
"I see. Well. Don't mind his sulking - ] Not sulking. [ --"But I think I can see where you're coming from." for as subtle as this phrase is, there's a hidden undertone - she knows therion well, and she knows what it must mean to him, to bring someone back to this place.
and so, primrose smiles a little further, leaning back away from jiaoqiu now, less scrutinizing and more just interested. her voice is soft, alluring, but she's not trying to seduce. like a comfortable, lounging jungle cat. "This is the first time I've ever had the pleasure of entertaining his guest, is all. I can't chat for long, and I doubt you'll want to stay out and about for much longer, but... perhaps you'll lend me a bit of your time so we can chat one to one, tomorrow before we open? And if you need anything, feel free to ask. ]
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Of course, Miss Primrose. I'd be delighted. [ that's genuine - he'd love to talk to her one on one. someone who understands therion the way jiaoqiu has learned to understand him over time would make him happy. and besides that, she seems to him like a very kind, very confident woman. someone worth knowing.
his tail keeps wagging gently behind him. ]
I appreciate it. I imagine we'll be able to find our way. Therion will, if only to stop us from speaking.
[ lol ]
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"Therion could stand to speak more often." primrose says with a chuckle as she pushes herself up from her seat, looking over at therion who is once again Definitely Not Sulking. this is a direct point at him because he refuses to talk about his feelings at any time, and he is aware she's making a direct point at him, and he is ignoring it.
as she stands, she dips her head, graceful. "I think we'll make fast friends - and you can drop the 'miss'." there is no room for politeness, here in this place, after all. after a moment, she gracefully tosses something to therion - a set of keys - and winks. where she was keeping them in that tiny outfit, who knows...
"It's good to see you, Therion. We'll talk tomorrow, too." primrose adds, one last time - he grumbles, and the sulking mostly disappears off of his face as he catches the keys, shrugging his shoulder instead of responding properly, which is his version of acknowledging it, which is more than he's offered to maybe almost anyone else he's ever interacted with, or at least that jiaoqiu's seen him interact with.
the keys go around his fingertips as primrose calls over her shoulder, Maybe tomorrow, you'll arrive in time to watch a dance, hmm? Sleep well." and like a breath of fresh air, she's gone, off to go check on the girls who work for her, now. ]
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a pause. ]
I like her.
[ hehe. ]
Would you like to stay out, or find our room?
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Yeah, somehow, not surprised. [ and he makes a little 'tch' noise. because he is a tsundere. however, at the last question he glances jiaoqiu up and down, briefly, sweeping - checking. ]
How's your leg? [ or more so - are you feeling up to staying out? ]
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instead, he glances down at his leg, and his ear flicks. ]
It's fine. A little stiff. [ but therion would be able to tell if it actually hurt him because again, jiaoqiu is a weenie. ] I should be fine to walk, if that's what we decide.
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's a night market a few streets down. [ it would be good to pick up some supplies since they'll be here for a few days, and the night market is somewhere that therion has stolen things from like, way too many times so it's very familiar.
that, and: ] They've got a lot of food stalls. You might be able to find something for your demon taste buds.
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Someday you will appreciate spice. [ a hum. ] I would like to visit the night market. I'm sure there are things we'll need.
[ he probably brought extra clothes and like, toiletries, but anything other than what he could fit in a duffel bag he left behind. his poor apartment. ]
Than... let's go? [ he probably should stretch, anyway. ]
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not...recently, though. which, after the week or so they had, maybe that's understandable.
either way, therion nods, his cool guy persona officially On, and nods. they can take a brief detour to drop their shit off upstairs - there's not much time to look at the room itself, but it's a nice little ensuite with a little mini kitchen in it, the kind of ameneties that only someone like primrose would take care of. (he'd called her when jiaoqiu was asleep, resting off his injuries. mentioned he liked to cook. figures she'd find a way to get what he was asking for without him even needing to do so - that's part of why he's come to trust primrose, what made them work well together.)
but that's a quick trip, so. back down they go to the main floor, and out into the desert night.
the night market is a pretty, bustling place, once again full of sights, sounds and colors - large silks drape over the top of the aisleways, casting starlit color lines on the ground. there are merchants selling just about everything you could ask for here, and the entire place smells like aromatics and spices, with merchants hawking their wares from across the planet, let alone just from across this continent. regular merchants mix with merchants selling magical objects, magical creatures, plants and flowers, weapons, jewels, and of course, lots and lots of food. it is an utter hubbub of humanity, here, and the many shoppers make the streets busy and crowded.
therion's been here a million times, so. he adjusts his hood down, and makes a gesture with his hand - a "go on", and he'll follow. he's kind of curious to see where jiaoqiu's nature and curiosity will lead him around this place, anyway. he'd like to, secretly, see him brighten up like that again. ]
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but, night market it is! jiaoqiu stays close to therion out of instinct - he trusts therion to watch his back, trusts him to make sure that nobody is going to sneak up on them or hurt them. therion can probably see it, even, the way he eases up, the way he's less vigilant about trying to hear everything around them because therion is at his back.
there's so much going on here that he's not sure where to go first, so he just wanders. the food gets his attention, of course, but he waits on that one. he's not hungry enough. instead, he wanders to a stall with a collection of jewelry and gems. the merchant jabbers at him to try and sell him on things, and jiaoqiu politely ignores him, running his fingers over the gems and bracelets, necklaces. he glances at therion a couple of times, almost considering him, and then back at a collection of jade bracelets.
this is not things they Need to buy, but. his tail is waving gently behind him and his smile isn't that fake one he usually wears. ]
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off they go! honestly, he'd be more surprised if jiaoqiu did keep this to a needs only trip, because no one here ever does. the whole point is to draw the eye, after all. for the most part, therion seems perfectly content to stay just a step behind his wandering, alert to their surroundings and paying close attention. what they have not seen here is a single borisin - he can't imagine the hot climate is any pleasure for creatures that are mostly fur as opposed to just a little, which helps to ease the way even further. it's not like anyone who could be skulking around this market is more shady than therion is, after all, so a close eye is more than enough to keep any potential pickpocket at bay.
by that nature, he keeps his eye on jiaoqiu. his tailwag is obvious, a little charming, and he finds himself watching it, then lifting his gaze back up when he feels jiaoqiu looking at him, sees that for once honest looking smile. his eyebrows raise, the neutral bitchface completely unaffected, but he will step up since jiaoqiu's looking, sticking his hands in his pockets and peering over at the merchant's display.
An excellent gift for a lovely lady in your life. says the merchant, and therion can't help it - he snorts, turning his head to snicker into his own shoulder. yeah, okay. lady in his life. ]
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when therion comes a little closer, jiaoqiu's tail instinctively curls around his legs, briefly. kind of just like a hello sort of gentle whap. and then he reaches for one of the bracelets - a beaded jade one. the green of the jade is a very particular color, a very specific shade of green, and though jiaoqiu doesn't say anything about it, he looks at therion's visible eye one more time before he picks it up and asks the merchant how much.
the price seems reasonable enough to him, and he slips it onto his own wrist once he's handed over the money. and then he glances at therion. ]
Do you see anything you like, here?
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Not really my thing.
[ the hand that just committed naughty thief crimes comes free from his pocket, and absently, he reaches up to feel around the shell of his ear, thumbing at one of the piercings at the question, though. they're old black studs, having lost all their gleam and glimmer because he wears them so often, so honestly they could probably stand to be replaced - a couple in the lobe, one at the top. considering his line of work ("work") he doesn't wear anything dangly. he's had the same ones in since he met jiaoqiu. he honestly has probably never even taken them out to clean them. ]
's not bad quality. [ with a nod towards what jiaoqiu picked up. the merchant, unaware that he has just been robbed, looks pleased at this assessment from the grumpy looking guy. ]
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but regardless, jiaoqiu hums, covering his bracelet with his shirt for now. i don't know what he's wearing i was looking for something but assume it's probably just like a dress shirt with a red cardigan and like, dark slacks with a tail hole. good enough. he did not see therion steal, but honestly he would not care a single bit if he had, so that's fine. ]
Fine enough to buy from. [ a beat. ] I'd like to find you something.
[ nothing dangly, but... maybe an earring stud of some kind. imagine jiaoqiu with pierced ears, how wild would that be. anyway - he gives a little head bow to the merchant, and wanders off further into the market. now he's searching for some sort of clothing store. maybe a scarf...
as he walks he runs his fingers absently over the jade bracelet. ]
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anyway!! they move further into the market stalls and stands, weaving easily through the different wares. the crowd thickens a little as they get further in, and therion steps a little closer to him as they walk so he can actually hear - he nudges someone away from bumping into jiaoqiu's tail, casually, and snorts. ] If I want something, I'll just take it, fluff.
[ therion that is NOT the point and you know it. he has to say these things because that is just the kind of person that he is - but it's also not a denial or anything, he's not going to stop him. he just kind of raises his eyebrows, and while jiaoqiu is distracted, therion slips the pendant into the pocket of his cardigan and leaves it there.
in the meantime... there are a couple of nice clothing stalls here and there - some selling handmade knit goods, some selling pretty fabrics, embroidery, things like that! run by everything from nice grandmas to sketchy merchants. there's a young lady merchant hawking jewelry made of skystones. there's all kinds of wild things. ]
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[ the way he's going to find this pendant later and think he accidentally stole it,
also, i see you tressa. jiaoqiu does not know who that is and he's distracted by the fabrics at this one store with a more nice grandma owner vibe to it, peering at the different designs and colors. he runs his fingers over several of them - he seems to like silks and softer things. but he's particularly interested in a purple one, something thicker and warmer. it's a dark purple and the design is subtle, the purple at the ends of the scarf getting lighter and varied. it is kind of reminiscent of a fox tail.
his ear flicks as he looks it over, rubbing it between his fingers. ]
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Not everything I have has holes in it.
[
probably. this is not a good defense at all, actually. also i'm crying. jiaoqiu please.
therion follows him over there to the grandma store, and here, he... keeps his hands to himself, tucked into his pockets. the little old lady running the place greets them both with a cheerful smile, and he nods briefly in greeting, then follows jiaoqiu over to where he's looking at the scarves.
and...listen, he's not stupid. the jade was a little more subtle. this, however. anyone with eyes could probably tell therion's favorite color is purple, and his ancient, threadbare scarf is not one of those items without holes he mentioned before. he watches jiaoqiu investigate it, maybe a little too closely, and ducks deeper into the scarf he is wearing - his cheeks are turning pink, visible even in the evening light. ]
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Is this too detailed? [ he figures most of the clothes that therion wears are so that he can't be picked out in a crowd, so much. he doesn't want to get therion something that is easy to track him down with, even if he likes the way it looks.
plus, he doesn't want to insult therion's clothes. it's one thing to spoil him - it's another to make him feel bad or embarrassed because he wears his clothes to the bone, often out of necessity. it's why jiaoqiu's voice is easy, casual. like he'll find something else, if therion gets upset. ]
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it means his response is more well behaved than usual - therion comes over to look, tucking a little further into his scarf to hide his nose, which is turning red - and after a minute, shakes his head. he can just tuck the edges into his sweatshirt if he's worried about it. it's how he's wearing his normal one right now, so there's nothing to grab onto. ]
You're really stuck on this, huh. [ doing a nice thing for him. he doesn't sound mad about it. he is just embarrassed.
... and after a long minute, he reaches up, and unwinds his usual scarf from around his neck. he's still got a couple visible bandages under his collar, but otherwise he's bare if he wants to. put it on him or something. ]
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