#deviousarcher

[sweettoothforhire]

» lock and pick

Gaius wasn’t quite sure how this all came to be, but he heard plans involving robbing so of course he jumped in. 

“I’m more into snagging some weapons, but if it’s books you want, we can work with that.” Gaius proclaims with a level of confidence. He might be out of touch with his original profession, but he’s named Sticky Fingers Gaius for a reason! 

...right until he saw the actual lock.

“What in the--” Gaius stared at the strange lock. No padlocks, no little holes to put his lockpicks in... just buttons. “...alright, I can adapt. Sure.” He thinks out loud, tongue sticking out as he tries to figure out how to deal with this foreign lock. He presses a few buttons-- nothing happens. He presses again-- nothing. Usually at this time he’d grab a candy and destress, but he had nothing. He grumbles in frustration and looks over to his companion, a confused look on his face as he points to strange mechanism, “Well, any ideas?”

next: @devious-archer ( tagging: @minorindech or @houseofreglay )

[nobletoatea]

Starry Eyed [Niles & Lorenz]

Starter for @devious-archer

Just as he promised, Lorenz waited until nightfall to take Hesperos out to stargaze. He imagined Hesperos must be excited to see the night sky for the first time in his life, a day above ground. Lorenz was bubbling with eagerness under the surface as well, finding a spot on a low hill just a minute from the tavern, within sight, to look up at the stars.

“I think... you might be that star.” Lorenz pointed and then brushed powdered snow off a rather flat rock near the ground, already prepared to be chilled to the bone from being outdoors and sitting on a stone. He folded and held his arms close to his chest, breath fogging in the air as he looked upward, Hesperos by him. The view miles from any major city was beautiful, moonlight illuminating treetops as far as he could see. Leicester had leafy forests, while the forests there in Faerghus were meant for winter weather, pine needles a sturdy green under the coatings of ice and snow. Didn’t Almyrans make tea out of their own pine needles as well? It was something to consider.

Lorenz stared, enraptured by the sight and thinking of his box of papers and journal back at the monastery, full of poetry. Not that he would share much with anyone, but he started composing, so overwhelmed with peace at the scene in front of him. He didn’t mind Hesperos hearing. In fact, even one audience member was welcome.

“High above the trees comets chase each other’s tails, river of heaven.”

[sweettoothforhire]

Niles gazes at him for a few minutes, unsure what to say. He and Leonie were the ones who had to carry him for a long time. He frowns he had said that they were fools for carrying him, but he never properly thanked them. He clears his throat, and states his gaze fixed to the floor "Thank you for what you did, I owe you my life, and I am sorry for what I said."

Gaius knows when he’s being observed-- especially if he’s just being blatantly stared at. Given all they’ve encountered thus far, any man would be wary. He feigned ignorance, however, when he realized it was just Niles. He waited for him to actually approach-- or until his own patience runs out. To his surprise, when he actually does, he received both an apology and a thank you. 

“Well ain’tcha sweet, Eyepatch. I’d hug you just for the kick but I think we already physically bonded enough to last us a lifetime.” He laughs lightly, a hand wave at him so he’ll stop fixating on the floor. “You’re fine, Niles. If Leonie and I didn’t carry you out, someone else would have.”

And sometimes, it’s harder to be selfish. Putting yourself out for someone is easy. There’s zero to no regrets that come right after. The moment you bolt it by yourself? Now that’s where it gets tricky. Some things you can’t shrug off.

“If you really feel indebted, once this mess is all over, buy me the sweetest damn pie in the whole monastery. Then I’ll call it even~“