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Bustling sounds could be heard in the tavern as a group of adventurers returned back from their mission successful. After once again dealing with the Necromancer, Kerebosia, the party had returned as a group to their tavern, the drowsy dragon, the one that served them well and believe they are partly to thank for their success with their drinks boost to their abilities. And to thank for their leniency in being able to bring alcoholic drinks from outside the tavern.
However, it wasn't the entire party downstairs celebrating as the two 'nerds' as the others kindly call them were away from the group, which wasn't out of the ordinary after the mission. Both Quasar and 'Rune' preferred to research any information or artefact they had gained from the mission and study it for their own reasons. This time in particular they had managed to pick up a spell scroll of some kind, they hadn't seen those two run upstairs together that fast before.
It did lead to a few immature comments and giggling that Delphi quickly shut down, mostly to prevent over curious ears from getting the wrong ideas and spreading rumours. Older folks tend to love that type of scandal, too busy spreading drama instead of minding their own business.
Meanwhile on the upper floor the two examined the scroll. Quasar stood looking over 'Rune's shoulder as the scroll laid across the desk. It was a frequent activity for them, a bad habit 'Rune' had convinced Quasar to join them on. It was promised between them both to never use anything that could be considered dangerous, it was more about curiosity than anything else. As they were reading over the manuscript they found that the font was smaller than the usual scrolls they had recovered after their battles with Kerebosia.
"Could it be that this wasn't written by the necromancer?" Quasar suggested having to lean closer to be able to read the scroll. 'Rune' was already rummaging through their back to compare with another scroll, one confirmed to be from the necromancer herself.
"The handwriting's different." Holding the documents side by side, it was easy to compare the two. "She either has an assistant, found this somewhere else or she knows we're reading them and trying to throw us off her trail." 'Rune' grinned. Was this frustrating? Yes, incredibly so but they loved a good puzzle like this, pulling information together to make sense of a story.
"More likely she's trying to get further information to aid in her goal." Quasar spoke, slightly startling the warlock who hadn't realised he had gotten so close.
Snapping out of their focused state, they could feel his breath on their neck, now realising the others arms had moved from the chair back to around them, gripping a little too tight as he focused on the words, leaning so far that one move from either of them and he could…
'Rune' shifted suddenly, just enough to cause the other to lose his hold and fall to the floor with a loud clatter and a groan. The warlock above him cackling as he sat up.
"That was rather rude." Quasar by now was well adjusted to the others games and high jinks, it was getting them back, that's the difficulty in this. Once 'Rune' had settled down from their laughing fit they offered the other a mage hand to get up, he sighed taking their hand? The mage's hand, brushing off his armour. "Can we please get back to focusing on the manuscript? The others have plans tomorrow to go around the market and I'd rather not have to miss that again just because we took too long reading a scroll that led to a dead end."
"Fine, fine." They repented. Quasar pulled up a chair as to not put his balance in the trust of someone who would betray it because of 'do it for the bit' whatever they mean by that.
It wasn't until a bit later and Quasar had put his full focus into the manuscript instead opting for taking quick glances at 'Rune' seeing how entranced they could be by a simple document, he almost felt guilty for wanting to disturb them. Almost. Quasar got his revenge by waiting until the moment 'Rune' was too distracted tipping the chair causing them to slide out hearing them thud to the floor, it was now his turn to laugh.
"You looked good down there." He spoke with almost a mocking tone as he looked down at the other getting a glare in return. They weren't laughing.
What the fuck did he say, 'Rune' felt their face heat up glaring up at the other as his smug smirk only made the feeling worse. "I thought we were supposed to be focusing" They hissed as they picked themselves off the floor, dusting off and re-adjusting their robes.
"Not a fan of your own medicine~" He teased not looking up at the warlock who was now looking completely unimpressed by the paladin, moving their scarf to cover more of their face. His face fell to a slightly concerned look. "You aren't hurt, are you?" He hadn't meant to injure the other physically, only their pride was supposed to be targeted.
'Rune' chuffed as the mage hand flicked his forehead while they put on their hat. "I'm fine. I am, however, gonna grab us some drinks to help us focus." 'Rune' stated before heading out the room leaving Quasar in the trusted care of Andu.
Heading downstairs they approached the bar to grab drinks, ones to aid in their studying. Just as they had gotten their drinks, a familiar druid fluttered up to them holding a few bottles "Hello Kya. How are you and the rest of the group enjoying your night?"
"We're good," She giggled, the alcohol on her breath mild but obvious. "I brought these over for you and Quasar to have up in your room seeing as you're clearly too busy to spend time with us" She faked a pout before laughing at herself. "Didn't want you guys to miss out on the party too much"
"How kind, but don't drink too irresponsibly now or whatever Mr.Uptight would say." They joked as they placed the bottles in their cloak. "We're taking a look into the manuscript, not sure if it'll lead to anything though but we'll update you if we find anything tomorrow"
"Alrighty, don't melt your brains too much with that, we've got plans tomorrow and you two better not miss them again." She warned before waving off 'Rune' as they left while she headed back to the party.
'Rune' couldn't help but chuckle at the other's bubbly personality and mildly drunken state as they sauntered back up the stairs. Using their foot to open the door, seeing Quasar, out of his armour, with Andu sat on his lap receiving belly rubs as Quasar seemingly took a break from all the reading.
They placed the drink in front of his line of sight to grab his attention. "A bit of liquid brain power should do the trick." They mused. Quasar took the drink graciously, taking a sip of it.
"Whether or not this is written by her it's still a useful spell. Now I'm not exactly the most magically inclined person. I never had interest in that stuff but I'd certainly be interested in learning how you make sense of this, if you'd be willing to show me?"
'Rune' thought for a moment before shrugging. "I mean sure, it's not the most interesting process. Besides I don't actually get my magic from scrolls really, I just know how to read them." They explained taking a sip from their goblet.
Quasar paused, brow furrowed. "Then why are you so insistent on taking manuscripts if you can't use them." Was it really the thrill of the game for them or were they just a kleptomaniac?
"I just simply enjoy the knowledge, collecting information, stories, secrets, knowing things others don't." Ah it was a fae thing… probably, feels fae at least. Quasar watched the other basically down their drink in one before they sat down getting to work rereading the manuscript before taking their notebook out, maybe this was going to take a while.
After a long while of dissecting and explaining, the sky only growing darker outside, the conversation slowly shifted into casual conversation, the scroll long forgotten as they chatted about mindless topics. 'Rune' decided now would be a good time to bring out the bottles given to them by Kya.
Quasar looked sceptical "We shouldn't have that here. The tavernkeep certainly wouldn't appreciate outside drinks in their tavern, that would just be disrespectful." As tempting as the offer was, especially after the long day they had, the last thing he wanted to do was insult the owner, especially with how generous and helpful they've been with the group.
"It's fine, after the fight with Kerebosia and completing the mission they let us bring some alcoholic drinks to enjoy while we're here to help relax and celebrate. As long as we aren't reckless and blow up the tavern it'll be fine." 'Rune' stated already uncorking a bottle, using the cups from the previous drink to pour the mead out for the two, 'Rune' offered the cup to the other, Quasar hesitated before sighing with a smile as he took the cup.
"You're an awful influence, you know that." He chuckled before taking a swig of the mead. It tasted dry but sweet with floral undertones. "How likely is it that the others are going to be late to their own plans due to hang overs?"
"Oh absolutely they are, well maybe not Cain and Del, being the most sensible out of the lot down there. Kya and Aegeus are probably pretty far gone. Although, Kya might show up on time anyway and just complain afterwards about the headache." They chuckled at the idea of the others probably downstairs passed out.
Quasar couldn't help but laugh at the others comment. It wouldn't be unlikely he'd just hope they were behaving themselves and not giving the tavernkeep too much trouble. Best not to dwell on the others too much as he took another swig, better to enjoy the night with arguably his favourite company. Andu obviously…
The later the night got, the more empty bottles littered the table. The two were laughing about anything and everything, the closeness between the two at an all time high while Andu had shifted over to one of the beds not wanting to deal with the twos drunken shenanigan.
Quasar couldn't help but stare in adoration at the other as they laughed about the hundredth thing that night. His body moved on its own, resting a hand on theirs on the desk, cutting 'Rune's laughing short as they looked at the other in confusion. "You know Rune, I really appreciate you," Quasar spoke. He watched the other brow furrow looking perplexed. He quickly back tracked after realising what'd he said "as a friend, of course." He added, though not in a truthful manner.
'Rune' retracted their hand, holding it close to their body. "I appreciate you too." They responded "As a friend of course." They mimicked back, poking minor fun at the other part of them more focused on the wrongness feeling in their hand after the others touch.
Quasar looked guilty, having to stop himself from comforting the other as he realised his real mistake "Right my apologise, it slipped my mind. I-"
"It's getting late." 'Rune' interrupted "We should probably head to bed, wouldn't want to miss the plans tomorrow." They basically spoon fed him an out of the awkward situation.
"Right of course… tomorrow." He almost grimaced at the idea of both getting up early after the amount he's had to drink and having to act like he didn't completely fumble tonight. If he wasn't stupid and held their hand maybe-
His was once again interrupted by 'Rune' standing up from the desk heading to the right bed in the room, right sleeping. He rubbed his face as he headed to bed himself, blowing out the candle before getting comfortable glancing over to the other, seeing their back turned to him almost half off the bed. Andu probably took up most of the space on the bed, he couldn't help but smile towards them before turning over to rest himself.
Morning light streamed in from the window landing perfectly on the paladin's face causing him to stir and wake. He rubbed his eyes as he sat up on the bed, looking over to where 'Rune' was only to find an empty bed. For how lazy the other makes people believe they are, they were usually up insanely early despite staying awake late the night before… Almost like they were a fae and only needed to sleep 4 hours, he really needed to stop comparing himself like that. He was only human after all.
Speaking of fae however he'd best get downstairs before he had a certain fairy get upset at him for being late. Putting his armour on, strapping his cape into place and checking the room for anything left behind, he headed downstairs with the keys seeing 'Rune' sat at the counter chatting with the tavernkeep sipping their usual concoction, Andu seemingly having his own cup of said concoction.
"Morning sleepy-head~" They teased, earning them a glare from Quasar. He handed over the key to the owner before leaning against the bar next to 'Rune'. "I'd sit down if I was you. Aegeus is still asleep and Kya's trying her best to wake him." They explained taking another sip.
Quasar didn't need much more of an explanation as he could hear the group upstairs f=through the floor, he chuckled, "Suppose we didn't need to worry so much about it last night then." He felt relief, glad last night's tension hadn't carried over into the morning.
'Rune' hummed in agreement. "Hungover much? You seem to be pretty okay." They questioned as the other took a seat.
"Yeah, nothing too bad, but then again I haven't been outside yet so we'll see if I survive" Quasar jested the sun hitting his eyes in the room wasn't pleasant but it at least seemed more of a discomfort of being woken up rather than a throbbing headache that made him nauseous.
"You better. Don't be leaving me with this lot now." They jokingly warned as they side eyed the other pointing upstairs at the sound of arguing and feet stomping.
"Leave you? I could never." He stated before smiling at his own joke before he's made it. "You'd probably try to steal the stars if I left you unattended that long."
"If it'd get your attention I would." They casually stated as if talking about the weather.
Meanwhile, Quasar stared at them, jaw hung open in disbelief, had they really just said that or was he dreaming. He wasn't allowed to think about it for long as they both turned to look towards where the sound of tumbling and thudding was coming from.
"Seems they finally managed to wrangle him." They stated, taking their final drink from the cup before heading out the door, clearly not wanting to deal with helping the pile of limbs on the floor.
Quasar sighed as he headed towards the pile helping each of them up, making sure no one was injured as Kya was quick to follow 'Rune' out the door. Delphi, who was clearly in charge of making sure the keys weren't lost, handed them over to the tavernkeep, thanking them for the night as the rest of the group headed out, chatting as they made their way into the town's market.