Strawberry Struttin'

Victorian Coax

Patrol the MacPherson strawberry patch.
Look for foxes.
Look for badgers.
Don't piss anyone off.

His instructions were simple enough and he took to his duty thoroughly. He followed the path to the patch, affirmed his role with the farmer, and began his rounds. His loop began wide as he settled in, getting a feel for the perimeter. The Fae Forest was a twisted and labyrinthine place, one where he could easily get lost even in a section as small as this. Perhaps that was why it had been sparred a bulk of the fighting. Or why the Imperial Army had fallen prey to guerilla warfare here... and perhaps why it was prudent for them to learn the landscape now.

But all of this was not on Victorian's mind. He was here to protect some strawberries from being dug up by vandals. So that was what he searched for: paw prints and scent trails that would lead him to pests and vermin.

...

He was on his sixth loop, working tighter each time, when he came across a scent. A wolf one. Dark ears perked whilst smoldering eyes narrowed. The farmer had not mentioned any farmhands or family on the plot. No, if anything, he had made it sound as though the patch had been left deserted.

For a moment, Victorian weighed his options. Then, after steeling his nerves, he bounded after the trail, weaving over the thick roots and avoiding the bramble thickets. When at last he came upon the man, the stranger appeared so suddenly within the thicket that Victorian had no opportunity to invest in stealth. One moment the foliage was so thick he couldn't see a man, the next they were nearly 7 feet from one another.

The soldier came to an abrupt stop, brow furrowing as his lips turned down into a frown.

"Who are you and why are you here?"

@Ace

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I'M AN ADDICT FOR DRAMATICS, I CONFUSE THE TWO FOR LOVE He had to admit, at least this world is interesting. It felt like he was living his whole life somewhere stagnant. It had been the same crap, different day. No matter where he traveled to, there was barely any excitement. Barely any thrill. Sure, he learned some of the "street" smarts as some might say. They did come in handy for surviving as an orphan, but it was only once and a while he might enjoy the adrenaline rush of almost getting caught. He had stolen some meat from a burly wolf once and that almost hadn't gone well. He managed to escape and be just fast enough to find a den to hide in. He remembers trying so hard to hold in his laughter as he watched the wolf fumble around all confused. Other than that and some eye candy he hooked up with along the way, there wasn't a whole lot. Maybe that's really the only reason he joined the Thieves' guild. To finally find a purpose. No- adventure, that's more like it. Plus, who didn't love a bad boy? Today, he was getting used to some of his surroundings. There had been whisperings of this forest being "so scary" and "easy to get lost in", but so far Ace doesn't see it. He knows there are many locals who believe all sorts of legends about Fae and whatnot, but he'll believe it when he sees it. So far the only songs he hears are from the birds overhead and the grumbling in his stomach. There's supposed to be a strawberry patch nearby, at least that's what he thinks he remembers someone telling him. Maybe it had been wishful thinking that he wouldn't bump into someone else here, but once he turns to the source of the voice, he's no longer disappointed. The man is young and handsome, much like himself, only Ace can tell right away that he must be a soldier. It didn't take him long to tell them apart once he arrived in Rionnach. They all had the same serious expressions like they had a stick up their ass or something. At least this man isn't as hard on the eyes as most of them are. "That's the big question isn't it? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Who put us on this godforsaken earth just to eat, make love and die a miserable death?" he says, looking up at the sky as he pretends to be philosophical, but is really just extremely sarcastic. When he looks back at the man, he clears his throat. Another thing about soldiers is they don't typically have a sense of humor. "Well, I'm Ace. I was scoping things out. With the state of things and all… what about you?" he asks with a slight tilt to his head. Something he learned long before his arrival here is how to put up a façade. Between his boyish good looks and his knack for lying, he'd like to think he's pretty good at it. "Speaking."

Table by Lauren ; Art by Aurru @Victorian

Victorian Coax

From the moment the words left his mouth, Victorian felt an instinctive sense of dread. It was not intimidation so much as it was an immense notion of regret for what was soon to come. What, perhaps, would drag its feet to an end. At least, that was the soldier's experience with wolves that wore wry smiles and whose eyes sparkled with inherent mischief. Wolves like this one before him.

"That's the big question isn't it?" The stranger began, expression sobering as he looked up at the heavens with such philosophical depth that it was almost artful. It was so intense, however, that Victorian's nerves gave a soft twang as one snapped. He knew a theatrical production from a legitimate one, and as a man of little patience, he had no mood for playing a starring role in a stranger's production. Especially when he had not auditioned.

A soft cough ends the interlude and Victorian's scowl deepens somewhat.

Surprisingly, the man offered an alias and a plain excuse for being here. No joke, no manipulation, no coy theatrics.

Victorian blinked, suddenly unsure of how to weigh his initial impression with his current one. Had he misjudged this stranger? Was this man truly seeking answers to philosophical questions and not just grabbing Victorian's goat? It was difficult to comprehend but Vic forced himself to swallow any dislike and bury it for the meantime.

Suspicion glowed in amber eyes but he no longer found his patience waning so rapidly. "Did the MacTavishes hire you to look over the place?" It was not unusual for highlanders to rely on their own rather than strangers, and they certainly did not like the army butting in where they weren't wanted. Victorian had definitely felt a certain iciness when he had approached for duty.

@Ace

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DON'T THREATEN ME WITH A GOOD TIME Of course, as soon as Ace had asked the question, he was so sure of what the answer would be- patrolling. That's all they ever did. Patrol, patrol, patrol, maybe give a few intimidating glares here and there. No wonder they were always so serious, they had no concept of fun. But it seems they are both surprising themselves a little here. Instead of answering his question, the man asks a question back. Ace has no clue who the hell the Macav… Macaw… whoever are. "Oh no…" he says, acting a bit surprised and disappointed. He shakes his head and looks off to the farm as if he's looking at the Mackishes. "Did they double book again? Typical. Well, this is awkward." He looks around with a grimace on his face. "Guess we can pull double duty, eh? Or do they need you back at home base?" Selfishly, Ace hopes the man doesn't leave so soon so he can get to know him a little better. Maybe he can invite him out sometime and show him what it actually means to have fun. He imagines this man could have a nice devilish smile if he just, well, smiled. In typical Ace fashion, he offers a smile of his own to compliment the glint in his eyes. "Speaking."

Table by Lauren ; Art by Aurru @Victorian

Victorian Coax

"Oh no," the stranger began and Victorian could feel his guard steadily slipping. His proverbial sword lowered and his stance softened into something that erred upon casual. So this man was telling the truth. Was he a Highlander then? A man war-torn and weary?

"Did they double book again? Typical. Well, this is awkward."
...Wait.

Nostrils flared and Victorian fluffed up like a startled cat. The fur along his spine ruffled and he narrowed his eyes, bemused more so by his willingness to relax than by the stranger traipsing into his tiny trap. "Aha—It is the MacPherson patch!" He announced as he grew rigid and still, reclaiming his guard almost as quickly as he had lost it. Faster, even, for shame had lit a fire in his belly. Had Colonel Kvothe been here... oh the thought filled him with embarrassment.

Although it was difficult to maintain a serious attitude when faced with seafoam eyes and a disarming smile, Victorian did his best and succeeded if only due to the self-loathing pumping through his veins.

"You must leave this strawberry patch or I will be forced to arrest you and bring you back to camp for interrogation."

The script rattled off his tongue quickly and neatly, but secretly he felt a gnawing sense of discomfort. If this came to blows, would he be able to succeed? Ace, if that was even the man's name, did not seem dangerous... but personality was separate from the body that housed it. The stranger was athletic and looked capable of holding his own.

@Ace

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DON'T THREATEN ME WITH A GOOD TIME He had been so sure that his charming smile would be enough to win this man over, but apparently not. In fact, he's really mad- nostrils flaring and everything. Ace is sure he can see smoke coming out of the guy's ears too. "Aha—It is the MacPherson patch!" Wait, MacPherson? For the love of Fenrir… too many Macs. Ace takes a step back as the man starts shouting orders to leave. His ears droop as he becomes more submissive (maybe, oh maybe it will make him look a little cuter and he'll take pity on him?). "Whoa, whoa, buddy, no need to get hasty! I'm new around here, I only just settled in a few months ago," he tries to explain quickly before this escalates any further. Blood won't look good on his perfectly groomed fur. "I lost my directions but saw a farm and just figured this was the one." It's partially true, but he of course didn't know whose farm this was. Apparently he picked the rich people's farm. He then looks to the ground and smiles as if he's recalling a memory. "They told me about a time they double booked and we were laughing about it when we made all the arrangements for me to come by. I didn't understand how they could do that." Ace isn't sure if this story will be convincing, but he had to try to keep himself on this man's good side (and to make sure he doesn't end up in the clink so soon). He steps forward again, a pleading look in his eyes. "I was hoping we could still get to know each other... You know, having allies these days is helpful and all." There had been a war before Ace made it here, but he's heard all of the stories. Tensions were high, especially if you were an army wolf, so he would think that any more to their cause would be helpful. And then he couldn't help himself. "Plus you're kinda cute." "Speaking."

Table by Lauren ; Art by Aurru @Victorian

Victorian Coax

Victorian was not sure what he expected after Ace stumbled into his little trap. Anger? A brawl? A sudden whirl of leaves as the stranger turned and fled? There were several possibilities, none of which had included a bemused expression and placating words. "Whoa, whoa, buddy, no need to get hasty! I'm new around here," the man assured, easing back a step and settling into posture that was submissive and demure. Teal eyes were like smooth shards of sea glass, glimmering in a way he found uncomfortably beautiful. Every time he met the man's gaze, he wanted to just shrug his shoulders and let it all go. And then, a moment before he slipped, his willpower would hiss and he'd reel himself back in.

There was a story next, some they and some sort of double-booking. Victorian, however, was wary to accept anything coming out of this man's maw. Of course he felt the familiar tug of sympathy--he was new in Rionnach as well--but he doubted that he could trust its pull. What if it was all a lie?

What if it was just a lie because he had not wanted to deal with a soldier? Was that such a sin?

Ace--if that was even the man's name--stepped forward again and those damned, puppy-dog eyes searched Victorian's face beseechingly.

Victorian's expression strained, his stomach twisting as his heart urged him to just let the stranger go while his mind warned against all sorts of traps this wordsmith could be weaving. His uncertainty bled onto his face and he wavered... until Ace opened his mouth again.

"Plus you're kinda cute."

... "I'm what?" He responded immediately, ears turning forward as a bemused expression overtook his face. Almost as quickly, he reclaimed that extra step of space between them.

An odd fluttering of--not butterflies, winged elephants perhaps?--thundered within his stomach. For a moment, only a 404 error was available in his brain. Until, at last, he shook his head and tried to brush it under the rug. "Don't answer that. Why lie about being lost?"

If he could get the conversation back on track, he'd have a fighting chance of keeping his sanity.

@Ace

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DON'T THREATEN ME WITH A GOOD TIME More often than not, Ace is met with confusion or anger whenever he tries to compliment someone else of exceptional beauty. It doesn't make much sense- shouldn't they all be flattered to receive such nice words? Some are, but it's few and far between. With this man, he seems to have gone with the confused reaction. So there might still be a chance he can make this work. He wants to go on about how handsome the man is. Smooze him up a bit so that way he won't tear Ace a new one, but it's not all lies, he would swear it. Unfortunately, the man changes the subject and only wants to focus on this damn farm. Why couldn't Ace get lucky and find himself in a situation where he could just have some mindless flirting? Instead he's stuck in the interrogation room. "Admittedly I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of a strong handsome man such as yourself," he says, still tacking on the smooze as much as he can. "But uh, ha, I guess I did that anyway, huh?" He blushes, feeling foolish, but mostly because this man is trying so hard to see through the facade. But while Ace has gotten himself in trouble in many ways in the past, he's very determined and still tries to fight his way through. "All you Rionnach-ians are so confident and I just want to fit in, have a purpose, you know? This job was my shot to prove myself but well, I guess I'm not very good at these things. Maybe I need to pick up a job that doesn't involve traveling so much," he continues, ending with a laugh. He's hoping that by being somewhat vulnerable, the man will take pity on him and give him a chance. In more ways than one. "Or… maybe I just need a partner that knows his way around?" Maybe this will work, maybe it won't. At least if this does still go south, he can run pretty fast. "Speaking."

Table by Lauren ; Art by Aurru @Victorian

Victorian Coax

A soft, disgruntled hmph leaves the young soldier as Ace slips in a compliment as one might grease a palm with a $5 while turning in a form. It's small, almost annoying, and a tiny bit insulting. And yet Victorian can not help but feel his ears get hot. Had he lived in his familial home for far too long? Most likely. He had been called handsome by his grandmother often enough, but it never elicited this reaction.

The oddest thing was that Victorian just knew these were sweet nothings. So why did his heart thud uncomfortably in his chest?

But back to business.

"Job? What kind?" Once more, Victorian knew he would never be fully satisfied with whatever answer Ace came up with, but he did not know what else to do other than press with questions until he could come up with some sort of quasi-truth. At least this stranger seemed eager to talk -- lies or not -- and that lowered the chances of this turning into a brawl.

"...Maybe I need to pick up a job that doesn't involve traveling so much..."
"And one that doesn't invade marked territory. Some farmers will chase you off with worse," Victorian admonished but his heart wasn't quite in it.

At the mention of a partner, Victorian snorted and shook his head, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "Let's start by escorting you off of the farm, but something tells me that you and the military won't be in cahoots any time soon."

And with a nod of his chin, he began to walk toward the direction of the closest border the old farmer had "laid himself" (and he had been proud to point out that fact). Golden eyes seemed to say are you coming? when he looked back at Ace.

@Ace

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DON'T THREATEN ME WITH A GOOD TIME Much to his relief, it seems like the man is relaxing a bit. Or as much as one in the army could relax. They always have a stick up their butt, but thankfully his new question doesn't sound as accusatory as the last few have. "I guess you could call me a private contractor. I dabble in a few different things- guarding, investigating, grabbing food for the elderly…" he rambles on and in the back of his mind he's smirking. They're not entirely lies, but the soldier would likely be thinking of these things in a different context. Whatever works though. Of course, there's another jab at the fact he invaded marked territory and Ace laughs. The army nuts always have to throw the rules in there even when he's just trying to be civil. "Well I guess I'm lucky I had you here to look out for me," he says, flashing another grin that he'd like to think melts hearts. Lucky for him, it looks like they would be spending a little more time together after all as the soldier wants to escort him off the property. Ace wags his tail in response. "You know, you never told me your name…" he says as he joins the man at his side and they leave the farm behind. "Speaking."

Table by Lauren ; Art by Aurru @Victorian <3