Rabid_Rabbit
The rabid rabbit bites!
Mordecai - the Messenger
The Devil | spuɐM ɟo ʇɥƃᴉuʞ | Knight of Cups
The Devil | spuɐM ɟo ʇɥƃᴉuʞ | Knight of Cups
“June? Oh! June!” Relief washed over the fae man, dizzying and refreshing. It was palpable in the way the fear and anxiety that had creased his brow and drawn his lips taught relaxed. His eyes twinkled, the fear that darkened them fading as he took a breath and laid a hand on her cheek. Her hand on his shoulder brought them closer, their breaths mingling n the cold air. “I thought you were hurt or – or gone…”
But as soon as the almost tender moment began, it ended, the realisation June’s dress had been torn down to near nudity causing Cai to fret over where he could possibly rest his eyes to check her wounds when she was so bare! He spluttered, somehow losing the easygoing facade he had when they had first met. “Yes … yes … ok … “
Cai looked around frantically, seeing no vendors to quickly find cloth or fur to cover her. It was a half-minute of his frantic searching before he realised he had been wearing a jacket and – while the fit was very slim on his frame, Juniper was smaller herself and it easily kept her modest. He handed it over, shivering as he did so. The loose clothing he wore underneath was clearly suited to his exploits as a runner, light and breezy as it was.
“It’s OK June,” he spoke reassuringly. “Let’s get you back inside.”
---
“ … and what the HELL was that?!” Cai snarled as he slammed the door as they entered her room at the inn, him having basically carried her much of the way – and definitely scooped her up to climb the stairs. There was a banging on the shared wall of the room, the inn having gone dark for the patrons to sleep several hours ago. “I ask you to stay put for a reason and here you are, gallivanting around with the Unseelie! You could have died, you could have been found out!”
His chest was heaving and, for such a skinny young – man? Or creature? – he suddenly possessed a crackling, intimidating aura that seemed to suck the warmth and cosiness out of the room. Now that the danger was over, his concern and relief gave way to anger at how close a call it had been. It was the same feeling June had, no doubt, felt many times when she was fielding her many borthers and sisters away from danger – but it wasn’t any less infuriating to be the subject of such ire.
“In fact, they absolutely know, because the first thing they did was feed you some fruit! Could you not have waited?!” Cai continued, flouncing over to her. He emptied his messenger bag onto the bedspread. Some bread, a small pat of butter wrapped in waxed cloth, and dried meat – the scent of it rich and clearly seasoned with herbs and spices – fell out of its depths. He took another look at June, pale and wide eyed, her feet damaged by the frantic dance, and the messenger felt himself and his anger deflate. “I was going to take care of you, I promise. I just … you’re not supposed to be here, and … creatures will try to take advantage of that…”
There had been a wash basin and some soap placed in the corner, and as if to atone for his previous outburst, Cai lugged it over to June’s place, helping her clean and dress her blistered and torn feet. “I’m going to stay here tonight,” Cai said. “There’s a blanket and a chair in here. I just don’t want another nighttime visitor. A fae in the room will likely deter them – or deter you from giving them permission to come in. We rise early tomorrow, I have found us a way to the city.”