[ 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. ]
[ unfortunately for therion jiaoqiu finds this endlessly endearing. it's been so long since he's felt like this, smiling because he's happy, because he can't stop the warmth threatening to rise up out of him. there's a bit of gremlin energy to it just because therion's ears are so red, but mostly, it's just affection. ]
Mm, yes. You'll have to suffer me.
[ he says cheerfully.
and when therion pulls his scarf free, jiaoqiu pauses. if therion wanted to see him brighten again, this was the right move - he seems so very pleased, gently bringing up the scarf off the rack and tucking it around therion, arranging it. once it's all set, he moves back just a little to take it in. and then, soft, just a little teasing but not loud enough for the little old lady to hear: ]
[ this is just -it's just so embarrassingly intimate, so kind and sweet. it's the kind of affectionate little kindness you'd see out of any couple on the street, and therion's briefly at a loss for words, having to look at the ground so as not to be burned to a crisp by the brightness and warmth on jiaoqiu's face.
jesus. his heartbeat skips like three times as he's arranging the scarf, and he doesn't really realize he's holding his breath - he absolutely cannot look up at jiaoqiu's face or he's going to perish. the scarf itself is soft and warm, the material not too scratchy, a reminder of what his used to be like once upon a time. it's sweet, a thoughtful choice, placed thoughtfully, in a gesture of closeness he'd allow literally no one else.
the comment makes therion scoff, but it's clearly because he's flustered, and he adjusts it a little himself too, shoulders hunching up by his ears. his whole face is turning red. ]
's just a scarf. [ bluster, bluster. for someone who is always awfully confident, he's actually a big baby, and these very sincere gestures of affection, complete with that just slight edge of teasing in his compliment, are lot for one little therion. not in a bad way, but everything feels so sticky warm that he'd forgotten what it felt like to have a crush on some on--oh god. oh god, that's what this is. oh god.
he swallows, hard, and then gestures with his head to the nice shopkeeper, who is smiling with her hands clasped together. like, go on, if you're gonna get it. he's gonna stand here with this scarf around his neck and die, maybe. ]
[ it's okay - he started this out by teasing, but therion is so flustered and bright red that jiaoqiu is a little overwhelmed, himself. it's like, cuteness aggression. he wants to bite him? he wants to bite him.
but like, nicely. sweetly, because therion is rough because he has to be, because therion has been taught over and over that kindness is something that gets you killed, and jiaoqiu wants to give him something soft to fall back on. he has a big heart, something that jiaoqiu has seen over and over in the way that therion treats him and other people. the gruffness and snark is a fragile wall, and jiaoqiu likes to climb right over it, likes to hold out his hands and wait for therion to eventually make his way there, and it's stupid because he didn't really understand how much therion relied on jiaoqiu coaxing him until they curled up together a week ago in lingsha's house. that he had to meet him, that he couldn't just always wait until the words came.
just like jiaoqiu trusts therion to watch his back, therion trusts him to arrange his scarf, and jiaoqiu feels overwhelmingly bright, like he could open his mouth and light would spill out instead of the abyss that's normally there. silly, that such a simple action makes him feel this way, but he's not going to argue it.
jiaoqiu will not PDA in public, but he gently slides his hand down therion's arm, and then goes to give the nice shopkeeper money. ]
[ well this was very embarrassing. he's got nothing to say now, no snarky commentary, and he wants to skitter away from this booth at mach fuck, but he does not. he stands there, brand new scarf that he is letting jiaoqiu pay for with real money wrapped around his neck, and is hit with the gamut of human emotion, particularly in the form of positives.
the "oh god, oh fuck, oh god" feeling does not go away as he watches jiaoqiu go off to pay the nice shopkeeper. in retrospect, this should be very obvious, considering the extremely emotional events of the last week. therion has felt these warm, squiggly feelings around jiaoqiu a few times before, but this is the first time it's actually starting to hit. the last time he felt this way he was young and stupid and following darius around like a puppy, and he saw how that ended for him. (extremely poorly.) and if it weren't for said events of the last week, therion might have cut and run.
but the debacle of this entire thing means he won't do that. the tentative trust they have built is not pillars upon sand, but something small and steady. so instead, he just curls his hand very, very gently in the fabric of the scarf when jiaoqiu isn't looking, and buries his nose in it, and processes his embarrassing emotions, wills the fluster off of his face. god. you look like an idiot. he has goosebumps from where his arm was. this is deeply uncool.
be steps back a little, so when jiaoqiu is all done, he's there, standing a little off to the side. he looks at the skystone merchant, who is looking at him with the stinkiest face of mischief you could possibly imagine, and he flips her off, and she blows a raspberry at him, and by the time jiaoqiu's done the interaction is over and he looks like he's back to normal, giving jiaoqiu a little sup nod of acknowledgement. he's still wearing the little scarf. ]
[ jiaoqiu pays, and the lady keeps making little comments about how cute they are and jiaoqiu actually also! wants to ascend! he does fine when it's just them, when he's teasing therion, but having other people in his business makes his tail fur poof out. when he comes back to therion, he looks vaguely embarrassed, but! the scarf is paid for. ]
Yes, very much so.
[ his ear flicks. ]
... Let's keep moving.
[ please god get him away from well meaning grannies. he missed the whole back and forth between the skystone merchant and therion, but he'd be so amused if he saw. therion just attracting women who want to noogie him across the country. anyway, they scoot, and jiaoqiu huffs once they're out in the crowd again. his nose is slightly pink. ]
I suppose we should find supplies rather than trinkets.
[ therion also does not catch the granny conversation because he's nonverbally bickering with tressa, but the poof of jiaoqiu's tail immediately catches his attention out of the corner of his eye and he looks. and honestly, the sight of it makes him feel better, or at least like, slightly less off kilter. god.
he snorts, though its mostly just at the situation, adjusts himself, remembers he's wearing the little scarf, gets more embarrassed, and then scoffs to himself and shakes his head, starting to head back into the crowd. despite wanting to stomp away in embarrassment, he does not leave jiaoqiu behind. his ears are still red, but he refuses to let himself think about it for another second or he will die. ]
You want stuff to cook with. [ not a question, he's kind of expecting that. ] What else?
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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? ]
no subject
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.
no subject
'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. ]
no subject
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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Mm, yes. You'll have to suffer me.
[ he says cheerfully.
and when therion pulls his scarf free, jiaoqiu pauses. if therion wanted to see him brighten again, this was the right move - he seems so very pleased, gently bringing up the scarf off the rack and tucking it around therion, arranging it. once it's all set, he moves back just a little to take it in. and then, soft, just a little teasing but not loud enough for the little old lady to hear: ]
It makes you look handsome.
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jesus. his heartbeat skips like three times as he's arranging the scarf, and he doesn't really realize he's holding his breath - he absolutely cannot look up at jiaoqiu's face or he's going to perish. the scarf itself is soft and warm, the material not too scratchy, a reminder of what his used to be like once upon a time. it's sweet, a thoughtful choice, placed thoughtfully, in a gesture of closeness he'd allow literally no one else.
the comment makes therion scoff, but it's clearly because he's flustered, and he adjusts it a little himself too, shoulders hunching up by his ears. his whole face is turning red. ]
's just a scarf. [ bluster, bluster. for someone who is always awfully confident, he's actually a big baby, and these very sincere gestures of affection, complete with that just slight edge of teasing in his compliment, are lot for one little therion. not in a bad way, but everything feels so sticky warm that he'd forgotten what it felt like to have a crush on some on--oh god. oh god, that's what this is. oh god.
he swallows, hard, and then gestures with his head to the nice shopkeeper, who is smiling with her hands clasped together. like, go on, if you're gonna get it. he's gonna stand here with this scarf around his neck and die, maybe. ]
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but like, nicely. sweetly, because therion is rough because he has to be, because therion has been taught over and over that kindness is something that gets you killed, and jiaoqiu wants to give him something soft to fall back on. he has a big heart, something that jiaoqiu has seen over and over in the way that therion treats him and other people. the gruffness and snark is a fragile wall, and jiaoqiu likes to climb right over it, likes to hold out his hands and wait for therion to eventually make his way there, and it's stupid because he didn't really understand how much therion relied on jiaoqiu coaxing him until they curled up together a week ago in lingsha's house. that he had to meet him, that he couldn't just always wait until the words came.
just like jiaoqiu trusts therion to watch his back, therion trusts him to arrange his scarf, and jiaoqiu feels overwhelmingly bright, like he could open his mouth and light would spill out instead of the abyss that's normally there. silly, that such a simple action makes him feel this way, but he's not going to argue it.
jiaoqiu will not PDA in public, but he gently slides his hand down therion's arm, and then goes to give the nice shopkeeper money. ]
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the "oh god, oh fuck, oh god" feeling does not go away as he watches jiaoqiu go off to pay the nice shopkeeper. in retrospect, this should be very obvious, considering the extremely emotional events of the last week. therion has felt these warm, squiggly feelings around jiaoqiu a few times before, but this is the first time it's actually starting to hit. the last time he felt this way he was young and stupid and following darius around like a puppy, and he saw how that ended for him. (extremely poorly.) and if it weren't for said events of the last week, therion might have cut and run.
but the debacle of this entire thing means he won't do that. the tentative trust they have built is not pillars upon sand, but something small and steady. so instead, he just curls his hand very, very gently in the fabric of the scarf when jiaoqiu isn't looking, and buries his nose in it, and processes his embarrassing emotions, wills the fluster off of his face. god. you look like an idiot. he has goosebumps from where his arm was. this is deeply uncool.
be steps back a little, so when jiaoqiu is all done, he's there, standing a little off to the side. he looks at the skystone merchant, who is looking at him with the stinkiest face of mischief you could possibly imagine, and he flips her off, and she blows a raspberry at him, and by the time jiaoqiu's done the interaction is over and he looks like he's back to normal, giving jiaoqiu a little sup nod of acknowledgement. he's still wearing the little scarf. ]
Happy now?
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Yes, very much so.
[ his ear flicks. ]
... Let's keep moving.
[ please god get him away from well meaning grannies. he missed the whole back and forth between the skystone merchant and therion, but he'd be so amused if he saw. therion just attracting women who want to noogie him across the country. anyway, they scoot, and jiaoqiu huffs once they're out in the crowd again. his nose is slightly pink. ]
I suppose we should find supplies rather than trinkets.
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he snorts, though its mostly just at the situation, adjusts himself, remembers he's wearing the little scarf, gets more embarrassed, and then scoffs to himself and shakes his head, starting to head back into the crowd. despite wanting to stomp away in embarrassment, he does not leave jiaoqiu behind. his ears are still red, but he refuses to let himself think about it for another second or he will die. ]
You want stuff to cook with. [ not a question, he's kind of expecting that. ] What else?
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[ right. food. wheeze. ]
That depends on what the tavern has to offer. I assume blankets, or toothpaste, or anything like that can be found easily enough.
[ he carefully reaches to hold onto therion's arm as they move their way through the crowd, because he doesn't want to get separated. ]
Bandages, I think. Painkillers. And maybe a brace.
[ for his leggy. ]
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