hugtopia | (no subject)

I like running!

[The other stuff is okay too...]

I usually go for a run in the morning, but if you need a partner, I'm adaptable.

I'd join you any day! I'm starting to feel like I'm getting lazy and that needs to be fixed.

It's pretty easy to fall out of habit in a place like this. Hard to stay in fighting form when there's nothing to fight, right?

Exactly! I'm also not used to staying in one place and having a concrete "home." I travel around all the time usually.

Ahh...Nomad?

We were traveling around a lot back home. [Gods, it feels like ages ago.] But we also had a car...

Actually, no. There are real nomads where I'm from, but technically I'm not. My job makes it necessary to travel around. Different magician clans are scattered all over the place, and they definitely aren't going to come to me so I have to go to them.

What's a car?

That sounds like fun. What kind of work do you do?

[How does one describe a car...]

It's a vehicle with four wheels and an engine...Uuuh...Chocoboless carriage?

[Oh. Oh shit, what has he done? Devon tries to avoid talking about the position he's been given and the goal his been tasked with whenever possible. Now he literally opened the door himself. How to get out of this mess?]

Well, we don't really have jobs like the work you're talking about where I'm from.

[Will being vague work? Yes, no, maybe?]

Chocobo... what?

Oh. Uh...okay. What are your jobs like then?

[He's curious.]

Giant bird, good for transportation and super awesome. Come by my place sometime. I'll show you a car and a chocobo.

Our whole society is warriors. Within each clan or group most have their own job, I suppose, but they're more like responsibilities. I just have... more than most.

[Because his aren't just for his clan.]

You have a giant bird at your place?

[He's trying to picture this and... failing.]

Ahhh. I see.

[Sort of. Not really. Why so vague, friend?]

A giant bird, a smaller bird, a couple of dogs, a mercat... [It's a zoo, really.]

Better than I do then.

[He doesn't really like to draw attention to the fact that he's essentially "chose one" of the magicians.]

And here I thought having a dragon around was unusual. Sounds like I was wrong.

Ah.

[He looks confused, and curious, but Devon doesn't seem all the open about talking about it. But hey! His BFF is a chosen one. He's got some experience with that sort of thing!

Was this the "Aquaras" that came up last time?]

Nooo! A dragon sounds super cool.

[Maybe Prompto wouldn't try to kill him then or "put him in his place" but Devon doesn't trust anyone at this point.]

Aquaras is pretty cool, but she's only one being. You have an entire place full from the sounds of it.

[He would not. But go at your own pace, buddy.

Prompto laughs.] Yeah, I guess. A dragon is still cool though. Does she get along with other critters?

Depends on her mood, I guess. She hangs around those she wants to. Generally though I would guess she'd be better with animals than humans. They don't often intend to be insulting.

Don't blame her. People can be awful, and animals are awesome. Well...the ones that don't want to kill you, anyway.

I don't blame her even though she's not technically an animal either. I can't even stay mad at her.

[About halfway through that statement Devon realizes that she's made an appearance. Prompto will likely notice her soon too, or at the very least he'll notice the warm, overly most breath brushing against the back of his neck. The little dragon can't help coming out to meet someone who supports her without even knowing her.]

[He's about to ask what she could be, if she's not an animal. But the feeling of something warm and moist raises the hairs on the back of his neck and he whirls around.]

Uh....

You must have impressed her somehow. She doesn't usually come around other people.

[Devon doesn't even comment on how weird this probably is for Prompto. It of course gets weirder too as Aquaras' head and neck snake around to sniff at Prompto's chin.]

Really?

[That actually makes him feel happy. He loves animals (and not technically animals). Though this one tickles and his lifts his chin some as he huffs a quiet laugh.]

Does she like being pet?

[That feeling of happy for both of them is going to end very fast. Sapphire eyes narrow and glint dangerously. Without any further warning, not even a his, Aquaras shoots an icy spray of water right toward Prompto's face. Considering her position relative to him, it might just go up his nose.]

She's not a... [Is all Devon gets out before that spray of water hits. He sighs and shakes his head.] Pet...

Really, Aquaras?

[That...was not pleasant. Prompto recoils from the spray of water, coughing and trying to blow the water back out of his nose.]

Sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that!

[He recovers, though his nose is still burning. He rubs it.]

We've got a couple dogs at home that aren't really pets. They're like, magical, mystical, messenger dogs.... [He waves a hand around. Does that make sense?] But they like to be pet, y'know.

[Aquaras settles herself on Devon's shoulder and loops her tail loosely around his neck. She glares over at Prompto from her perch, clearly not forgiving. Devon just sighs heavily and shakes his head.]

Really, Aquaras?

[Gleaming blue eyes swivel on Devon. Her "kyuu" of displeasure is half screech.]

There's no point holding a grudge, you know. You liked him a second ago, and he did just apologize for the wrong phrasing.

[He's gonna do his best not to pout, though a bit sneaks through the apologetic smile.]

It's okay. I messed up. I'll just...have to find a way to make it up to her, yeah?

[All the more reason for Devon to just glare at the little dragon. Aquaras holds onto the annoyed, narrow eyed look for a moment longer before huffing and nuzzling against Devon's neck. He snorts.]

Apparently you're forgiven.

[His eyes flick from Prompto to Aquaras.]

And you're a bit ridiculous.

[The accusation only causes Aquaras to flick her tail and ignore him.]

Yeah?

[The pout vanishes, and the smile gets bigger.]

Thanks, Aquaras! I'll do better next time.

Don’t go giving her that big of a head. She’s got a big enough one already.

[Aquaras’ happy little hum cut off in a squeak of indignation followed by a very annoyed “Kyuu!” Instead of shooting an icy stream of water at Devon like she had Prompto she snatched at Devon’s hair and gave it a solid yank.]

Oh, knock it off.

[Prompto laughs. It's cute. Aquaras is cute.]

Ya'll should come by the bar sometime. I'll give you the friends and family discount. [Which means free.]

[Devon manages not to flinch, but it's a near thing.]

Bar usually means crowded doesn't it?

Eh. Sometimes. Usually in the evenings. [And often, not even then. The population of fleshy people who eat and drink isn't very big, after all.] It's pretty dead for a few hours after opening.

[Prompto can probably read the sudden hope that flashes across Devon's face.]

I could probably do that then.

[It's not like he'd drink anything alcoholic anyway.]

[While Prompto is happy to keep company, he also greatly values his alone time. No judgement from this guy. He does see Devon's unspoken reaction and grins.]

Great! You won't be disappointed. I've wrangled some friends to cook, so we have food again, too!