steepwithdead | Folkmore

[It's become a more common occurrence, Fjord coming around to visit. Usually with some thin, vague excuse for it- 'I was just passin' through and thought I'd drop in' was a common one. He was fairly certain that Caduceus, perceptive as he was knew the excuses for the falsehoods that they were, but kindly never called him on it.

Which meant that he became a bit more comfortable with the idea of coming around, even if he still clung to the facade of a 'reason' this time. A bit more of a legitimate thing this time, if the bag in his grasp was any hint when he went poking around the side of the cabin to see if he could spot Caduceus pottering around in the backyard garden.]

[Caduceus at least is very easy to find, most days. He doesn't go exploring very often, never really alone, and never far from their temporary home (although after nearly a year, it's starting to feel weird to call it that). So yeah, Fjord can easily catch him in the garden, pulling up some fresh vegetables to fill a basket. He looks up as Fjord approaches, that same easy smile appearing like always.]

Oh, hey.

[Fjord hasn't yet realized, but Caduceus undoubtedly had- whenever the firbolg greeted him like that, with that smile like he was pleased to see the half-orc, it just set that canine tail to wagging a bit.

Whatever the case, he smiled back in a way that was easier for him than it had been early on while he was still entirely uncertain about Caduceus or anything else. He was still uncertain, but it wasn't the firbolg's fault, and he genuinely enjoyed his company.]

Hey there. I ah, brought you somethin'. Found it while I was out and well it seemed like somethin' you'd like, [An illustrative lift of the bag, before he gestured lightly with his free hand.] You... want some help there first?

[Meanwhile Caduceus has to very carefully avoid letting his eyes be drawn to Fjord's definitely-wagging tail, lest it be too obvious. He leans back on his knees, wiping his hands together to dislodge some of the stray dirt.]

Well, don't feel obligated of course, but I wouldn't say no to an extra pair of hands, either. I'm just about done, if you'll give me a few minutes.

[There's a handful of carrots left or something. It's a small garden, they don't need much with just a few of them in the house. Sometimes he trades the extras at the market for whatever cool stuff the faeries are selling that week. And sometimes he's glad for the extras, when certain friends living elsewhere drop by for a meal.]

No problem on this end, [The bag was set down in the grass, before he steps closer to join Caduceus down by the little vegetable patch. It wasn't his wheelhouse, but this wasn't anything too hard, right?] Just getting the rest of these, right?

[He's pretty sure those are carrots. You just... grab one by the greens and give it a tug, right?]

[Thankfully it's not rocket science, so attaboy, Fjord, you nailed it. Caduceus will even demonstrate. Lift those greens! Or oranges, in this case.]

Yeah, the rest need another few days, so this last row'll do it. [He's so cheerful. Blessed Melora, he really loves gardening so very much.] Thanks, appreciate it.

[He'd have to never show his face again if he managed to mess something this simple up. He nods at Caduceus' direction as he tugs a carrot loose of the earth, giving it a light shake to send dark dirt showering off before placing it in the basket.

It's simple enough work, but it's also kind of nice to do with Caduceus. Maybe just the firbolg so clearly having a good time rubbing off on the half-orc in kind?] Anytime.

[It's simple work, which makes for easy background noise for conversation. Thus:]

How've you been? It's not too quiet for you now, is it?

[Slightly more empty nest and all.]

[Really, he should've expected this. Caduceus is excellent at this sort of thing! But at the same time they've chatted often enough that it's not anything that gets the half-orc too awkward yet. He's getting a bit acclimated to the firbolg's conversational tactics.]

It's... takin' some gettin' used to, that's for sure, [A faint laugh, though the ears twitch ever so slightly back belying the supposed ease of the sound.] Never really lived alone before. Heck, aside from the odd night here and there, never had a room to myself before this, let alone a whole place.

[From the communal bedrooms of the orphanage, straight into the cramped, shared crew quarters on the Tide's Breath and then travelling with the Nein, alone was not something he was used to.]

[At least he tries to be subtle about it. Asking how someone is doing (especially after a substantial life change, like losing a roommate) is incredibly normal conversation.]

I understand to an extent. Since Beau vanished [and ow, it stings, but at least they know where she is] the house has been much quieter. [Caleb and Essek don't make that much noise, typically.

...A beat, and then,] We'll always have a room saved for you, should you ever want it.

[It helps that Caduceus is mindful about things. When he presses issues, how hard or how pointedly he does so. As good as he seems to be at reading Fjord, it never seems to quite boil past the point the half-orc can manage.

So long as he doesn't focus too hard on how Caduceus knows him so well. That's a whole 'nother kettle of fish.]

I couldn't- [A faint hitch as he bats down the leap in his chest at the invitation, at the idea that the others want him around. Whatever he can do to keep calm, it doesn't extend to the way those ears prick straight and keen, or the brief, eager lash of the tail behind him.] I wouldn't want to be a bother...

[A bother, he says. Caduceus has to resist the urge to sigh.]

Just who do you think you'd be bothering?

[You know how this dork is, Caduceus.]

I mean... I'm not like you and Caleb, yeah? Meditative, or studious, or... [A faint, restless gesture of a hand before Fjord masked the uncertainty by pulling carrots, though taking a bit more time to bump off clinging dirt as if that would enable him to avoid this whole line of conversation he'd accidentally veered into.]

[It's why he can resist at all. He will continue to gently challenge Fjord, however.]

Have we complained of being bothered at any point before?

Well.. no.

[A light huff as he barely stops himself from rubbing the back of his neck with a dirty hand.]

But it's different. Visitin' versus livin' together.

You're not wrong.

[His answer doesn't change, though.]

You're always free to make that choice. Do whatever is best for you. All I ask is that your answer is for you, what you want to do. Don't make it about what you assume of us.

[If Caduceus looks to Fjord, he might see the look of incomprehension that flashed across his face. Like the idea of doing something for himself like that was utterly impossible to understand. Not long before he got it back under wraps with a fain, crooked smile.]

I'll... keep that in mind, yeah.

Good.

[Hopefully it sticks! Either way, Caduceus pats some dirt off of the last carrot and pushes himself to his feet.]

That's enough of these for now. Let's go inside. Thanks for the help!

[He's very curious about what Fjord's brought, and the veggies need cleaning before he stores them away.]

Don't worry about it.

[Fjord paused only long enough to wipe his hands clean of dirt, before he was following Caduceus in getting to his feet, only pausing to retrieve the bag he'd brought from the grass to follow the firbolg inside.]

[It's a quick walk to the kitchen from the garden; the Xhorhaus looks the same as ever, though over time it's become more decorated, green and floral to offset that dark maroon panelling throughout. A little more furniture to fill the space, make it look more lived in, even with most of the rooms still empty.

Once they reach the kitchen, Caduceus sets the veggies next to the sink, and sets the kettle to boil before turning towards Fjord.]

There we are. I'm all yours.

[A place of this size should be imposing, with the dark paneling. But as always, the Xhorhaus is strangely homey in some way. Maybe it was the decorations, the furniture chosen, the greenery that was undoubtedly Caduceus' doing.

Fjord padded after Caduceus to the kitchen, pausing near one of the counters to set the bag down to pull out the package inside, looking almost sheepish as he held it out to the firbolg.]

I ah... saw this while I was out. Thought you'd like it.

[He's definitely but the work in to make it look nice. If nothing else, he's had the free time for it.

Caduceus accepts the bag, curious and confused as he opens it. He's not really used to being the recipient of gifts, truth be told. It's normally the other way around.]

[It's likely not surprising at all that Fjord thought of Caduceus when he saw this. A clear glass teapot, decorated with a few little enameled flowers and a dragonfly near the handle, and a small blue tin. If Caduceus peeked inside it held several little round bundles that were undoubtedly tea of some sort.

Fjord couldn't help but be a bit nervous- where Caduceus wasn't used to receiving gifts, he was likewise unused to giving them, watching the firbolg for signs of his opinion.]

The tea's apparently... if you put one of the bundles in the pot and pour the hot water over it's supposed to be real pretty while it steeps.

Oh!

[The delight Caduceus feels is apparent and immediate, first lifting the pot to examine the decorations - very fitting, very personal, he's genuinely touched - then the little tea balls. He's familiar with the concept, tea guru that he is, but it's still been a long time since he's had any.]

That's wonderful, thank you. I'll brew some right now for us, how about that?

[He gives it a sniff to check the flavour. It smells really nice.]

[Fjord is fairly certain that of everyone he knows, Caduceus knows how the tea balls work. But he's still quietly pleased at the clear delight that the firbolg is examining his gift with. And if that tail of his is wagging a bit behind him as his own expression and smile soften to something a bit warmer and less nervous...]

That sounds great to me. [Fjord wasn't sure what kinds of tea there were- he'd asked the clerk to help pick the ones that would be the most interesting to watch, and would trust Caduceus to choose whichever one seemed to please him most.]

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