closed | leave me alone i have nothing witty to put here

[yaoihand]

Who: Kija and Bolin
When: Some time after the first dungeon fight
Where: A remote part of Capablanca
What: Two manchildren go on a gingerbread adventure and try not to die.
Rating: Possible violence but otherwise none.

[ Rule of thumb when travelling in a foreign land: Always make sure at least one person in the party actually knows what they're doing. That doesn't seem to be the case with these two, as they've been trudging around for close to an hour and there still doesn't seem to be any sign of civilization. Navigating a wild forest took a manner of skill. The terrain was harsh and seemed to go on forever, and with how all the trees and rocks looked exactly the same, it was impossible to tell if they were making progress at all. Any regular person would be having trouble. Kija's depended on others for most of his life. Of course he doesn't have a clue what to do.

He thought this other Blanc hero he had chanced upon would be of help, but he turned out to be in the same situation as Kija. Oh well, two heads are always better than one.

Even if they aren't ... very sharp heads.

There's something so familiar about Bolin, but Kija still hasn't been able to put his finger on what. It's almost like they've met somewhere before. He'll definitely ask later. For now, their goal is the return to their quarters in Blanc some...how........ ]

I am certain this time. It is this way. [ And he points in some random direction. Why does it feel like they've walked here before? ]

Comments

[sediments]

[ Bolin's eyebrows shoot up when Kija suddenly kowtows. Bowing deeply when the other man tugs at his pants, but not throwing himself on the floor. ]

We're very sorry to be trespassing!

[ He can't really believe someone lives here!

To their relief, the old woman just laughs. It's a weird kind of wheezing chuckle, but at least it's friendly?

"It's fine," she tells them, hobbling over, gesturing for Kija to get up while reaching out to take Bolin's chin.

The action gets him to still abruptly, trying to figure out if this is some sort of weird grandma thing where old women think it's totally appropriate to grab younger folk like this.

"It's a pleasant surprise." And she's not letting go??? ]

[yaoihand]

[ Kija ... doesn't catch on to how unnerving that gesture appears to be. He's too busy feeling relieved that he's out of the hot water (see what i did there). She doesn't appear bothered at all! As the old woman inspects Bolin, Kija ... doesn't think to help him, opting to explain the situation to her instead. ]

We were looking for a way back to town, and we were wondering if you could help us! [ The old lady shoots Kija a glance. He was a polite boy, but way too skinny. She had no use for boys with this little flesh.

But maybe he could make a good servant ...

Finally, she lets Bolin go and offers them both an amiable smile, trying her best to sound grandmotherly despite the hoarseness in his voice. Just excuse it, it's a throat condition.

"I can show you boys the way back to town, but you look famished! Why don't you come in for tea and biscuits first?"

It was a sweet offer, but Kija felt obliged to refuse. He didn't want to impose. ] Thank you, but I am quite fine, you do not have to --

[ And then his stomach growls AGAIn. ] ...

[sediments]

[ The woman's smile only grows wider, unnerving at how obviously she's seizing the opportunity that Kija is presenting her.

"My, you mustn't lie," she admonishes, "bad habits like that rot the flesh."

She ushers them both inside then, and Bolin finds himself growing more uncomfortable, though he can't bring himself to argue with an old woman. He hovers closer to Kija, finding the other man considerably more comforting despite their rocky first meeting. ]

We should leave ASAP. [ He whispers, anxiety increasing once the door shuts behind them, leaving them in the dark house. (It's made of gingerbread, there's no electricity or plumbing??)

But she hears him, and urges them further into her kitchen.

"You wouldn't consider leaving before we eat, would you?" ]