A Trip to Town

[petty_dabbler]

John had opened a portal and stepped through in the chicken yard behind the inn. He an Q had arrived that way many times. Hilda had told him not to do it where people could see.

The chickens never seemed to mind when he stepped through.

He was not usually greeted by a nymph.

"A fine morning to you, Nyx," he smiled, as if a burning wheel wasn't closing behind him.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx looked startled, but relaxed after a beat and offered a small smile.

"Good morning, looking for a room?" he guessed, finishing up feeding the chickens and gesturing for John to follow him inside.

[petty_dabbler]

"I'll need a room," he nodded, breathing in as they entered near the kitchen.

"And breakfast. A hot breakfast sounds like just the thing."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Of course. Let me get you a key to a room and I'll bring you up your breakfast right away," the nymph smiled, taking a key off the hook and holding it out in offering. "Porridge,sausage and toast? Maybe an egg well?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Make it two eggs," John smiled, then carried his bag up to his room. He'd been in this one before, he'd been in all of them at some oint, and he made himself at home.

Off went the boots.

Off went his cloak.

To kill time while he waited for Nyx and his meal, John pulled a book out of his bag and began to read about the last time a demon passed through the mossy henge.

He'd been hearing rumours it was back.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Nyx eventually arrived with a large tray, knocking lightly before heading inside andsettingit on the table.

"Are you here for work again, or pleasure at last?" he teased lightly. "Hex will be happy to see you, I think."

[petty_dabbler]

"Business, lad. Always business. Bit of trouble up north. I'm going to need some help so I came to recruit a friend," John explained, tucking right into the meal.

"How's Hex doing? Still working himself to death?" he asked.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"He's relaxing a bit. I like to think I'm a good influence," Nyx chuckled. "Tell me about the trouble up north?" he asked, always interested in a peek at the world outside the inn.

[petty_dabbler]

"Long ago, ages ago, now, people erected circles to raise portals. When they fell into disuse, many became gateways to the other worlds. Hell, but others. Sometimes things come through. Whatever it is up north has been scaring the sheep," he explained.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Sounds frightening. ...And exciting," Nyx confessed, a bit envious.

[petty_dabbler]

"A bit of both," he nodded. "Especially the big ones. Do you have demons much in the fae realm? Your dad would never let me come, if you do."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"No, no demons I don't think. Jabberwocks and that though," he replied. "Not that I've ever faced one. ...There's always been one thing or another keeping me from adventure."

[petty_dabbler]

"There's a difference between an adventure and going looking for trouble," John chuckled. "I've heard stories of your Jabberwock."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"They're different, but that doesn't mean they can't overlap," Nyx replied with a grin- A grin that slowly faded.

"No worries though, no adventures for me. Even getting Hex to go camping was hard."

[petty_dabbler]

"That doesn't surprise me. Hilda had him scared of the world. She wouldn't even let him come to the tower to spend time with Q," John said, happily enjoying his breakfast.

"Except for a few markets, I don't think he's ever gone...anywhere."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I know. ...He says he wants to come to the fae realm with me for a trip, but I'm not sure he'll find the time, if you know what I mean," Nyx admitted.

[petty_dabbler]

"Make him, Nyx. Tempt him however you need to. Take him to a market. THere's got to be rare ingredients. The lad does like to shop," he chuckled.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I don't want to go to the market though. I want an adventure," Nyx sighed.

[petty_dabbler]

"I'm sure if you opened a portal far enough away, it might be an adventure getting there, hmm?" he suggested slyly.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I couldn't do that to him, I wouldn't trick him. Besides, that could put him off traveling for good. ...I just get bored is all," he confessed.

[petty_dabbler]

"You want to tag along with me?" John asked. "I'm going to ask House for help. Fae magic could come in handy."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Do I want to third wheel your adventure? ...Not really. I'd probably just get in the way," Nyx said, wishing he had a friend like John to go on adventures with.

He looked sad then and sighed. "Anyway, enjoy your meal. Let me know if you need anything else."

[petty_dabbler]

"I don't think you'd be a third wheel. You'd be dead useful," he said. "But if you don't want to share a journey with two sour old men, that I'd understand," he chuckled.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"It's not that," Nyx assured him. "I just... I want my first big adventure to be special, not something I get invited along to as an afterthought, you know? Not that I'm not appreciative of the offer."

[petty_dabbler]

"You've got a romantic heart," John smiled.

"Most people don't find adventures very grand until it's over and can be remembered fondly because you made it."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Most people didn't spend most their life trapped in a place with only daydreams to keep them company," Nyx shrugged.