Broom and Cat - John and Nyx

[petty_dabbler]

John came to town for his supplies and before heading back to the portal, he stopped iin at the Broom and Cat. Hilda wasn't around anymore and he did miss the poor girl, but Hex was a good lad and John was happy to give him his coin.

He sat and began to look through his list, making sure he'd found everything. Everything that could be found, anyway. The only thing left was fae gold and John...wasn't entirely sure how he was going to get that. He only needed one coin, but the thought of being in debt to a fae made him uneasy.

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[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx was still learning how to help out, but if he was good at nothing else, most of the customers found him charming.

"Hello there," the fae beamed. "What can I get you?" he asked, even though he'd likely just be relaying the order to someone else.

[petty_dabbler]

"A cider and whatever Mark has ready to eat," he said, puffing his pipe. "Where'd you come from? Not a lot of fae in Great Harbor."

Just a statement, simple curiosity. It wasn't often you saw fae away from the fae realm. Even Winter was a bit of a curiosity.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I am Dryad. A friend of Hex," he smiled. "Let me fetch your cider and put in your order."

[petty_dabbler]

That left John with more questions than it answered- all things he kept to himself until the Dryad came back.

"I'm John," he said then. "John Constantine. Also a friend of Hex's."

And though he'd said it, it was clear he was not the same sort of friend.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'm Nyx, lovely to meet you John," he said as he gave the man his drink. "If you were hoping to see Hex, I'm afraid he's out. He should be back soon though."

[petty_dabbler]

"Actually...do you deal? I'm in need of something only a fae could provide. I doubt Hex might have it."

God knew Hilda had done her best to teach Hex about the fae. Looking at Nyx, John thought those lessons must have been forgotten.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh, um... Well, I don't often. Why? What is it you desire?" Nyx asked curiously.

[petty_dabbler]

"I need one piece of fae gold for a spell," he explained. "And if I could avoid going to the fae realm, that would make it terribly valuable to me."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh. Right, um... Do you have anything to trade?" Nyx asked. "Something shiny or beautiful?"

[petty_dabbler]

"I've got a pocketful of shit, mate," John smiled.

He'd never met a fae not itching to deal. How refreshing.

"I can offer you a shiny coin of the realm. I've got a nice toad carved from obsidian. I've got some jeweldrop petals. Oh, an a foil mirror from the Dark Realm..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I do like obsidian," Nyx smiled. "Yes, alright, that's a fair trade, I think."

Like many of his kin, Nyx tended to collect shiny things and stones, and he fished a gray looking pebble from his pocket, rubbing his thumb over it until it transformed into gold. ...Well, fae gold anyway. Something born of trickery and magic.

[petty_dabbler]

John began to pull things out of his pocket. Money, trinkets, totems, amulets, sweets and ordinary looking rocks. Among the wreckage was a small, fat, squat toad carved out of a chunk of obsidian. It glistened in the firelight as if it were actually slick.

"Ah, there we are," he smiled, plucking it from the mess and handing it to Nyx.

"A fair trade," he decided, starting to gather his things again.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx grinned and passed him the gold, taking the little frog and petting it as if it were real.

"A good deal, he agreed."

[petty_dabbler]

"So..." he drawled. "Working for Hex, hmm? How'd that come to pass?"

He was warm and curious, the young witch holding a tender place in his grizzled old heart.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh, well, I don't actually work for him. I just help. He looked after me once, when I stayed here and I took ill. Then we sort of got close,"

And now they shared a bed, but he still wasn't sure he was meant to tell people that.

[petty_dabbler]

"Hex is a good lad. I was friendly with his nan," John explained.

"I'm curious, see, because I don't see a lot of fae around here except market day. What do you think of the realm?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I've not seen much of it yet. I want to though, in time," Nyx insisted.

[petty_dabbler]

"Some places are nicer than others," he replied. "This is good, here. The Broom and Cat has been a safe haven in Great Harbor since Hex's great gran opened it. She was kind, and savvy."

He'd had a crush when he'd been young, one he still carried though the woman was long dead.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"He never talks much about his family," Nyx admitted.

[petty_dabbler]

John hummed softly and nodded.

"Maybe he will someday," he said. "How'd you come to be friends?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I was ill, he looked after me..." Nyx said. "Something bloomed between us."

[petty_dabbler]

John smiled at that.

"Love at first sight?" he asked, charmed by the thought.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Love is a big word for a fae, but- I have these big feelings. I think," Nyx admitted quietly.

[petty_dabbler]

John's smile softened as he thought briefly of Winter. Such big feelings in such a small being.

He puffed his pipe and blew a ring.

"I always do enjoy good news when I come to visit," he said. "If you only help, you should get a drink and join me while I eat."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh? Yes, alright," Nyx smiled, getting himself a little drink and then taking a seat.