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]

"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.

[petty_dabbler]

"You mean here? Or...the palace?" he asked as he mopped up the last of jis meal/

[prince_of_nymphs]

"...The palace, of course," Nyx said, even though he knew that he was guilty of doing it here as well.

[petty_dabbler]

"Of course," he nodded.

"With the people who come through here, you must have heard tales of thrilling places to go."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"There was someone in the other day talking about the dark realm, they'd been exploring caves, looking for gems," Nyx said excitedly.

[petty_dabbler]

"The Dark Realm, hmm? You'll find adventure there, alright," John nodded. "Did you hear the mines are full of monsters?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"No. What sort of monsters?" Nyx asked, inviting himself to sit.

[petty_dabbler]

"There's Knockers in the mines," he said. He leaned in and lowered his voice.

"Nasty buggers. All teeth and knuckles. They protect the gems."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"How exciting," Nyx grinned. "Do they have magic, or are they brutes?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Their knocking can captivate you, freeze you in terror," John said, making them sound dramatically dangerous.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh! Frightening," Nyx purred. "I do love a thrill. Have you fought one?"