Heading Home

Life, Milestone

"Look!" Fenneck whispered excitedly to Natalya, pointing out the fluffy white fox on the ridge ahead of them. They admired the creature as it dove into the snow and caught a mouse for its supper. Fenneck smiled gleefully. "You really like foxes, huh?" Natalya asked him, smiling at his admiration for the creature. "Do you not?" He asked her. She smiled, "No, I do. I'm just not named after one." She teased him, "Why is that, by the way?" She asked about his name. He chuckled, "I thought it was obvious." He said, continuing on their walk. She gave him a funny look as she crunched through the snow behind him. "You've never seen a fennec fox I suppose?" He asked. She shook her head, "Just normal ones." He smiled, "Well I haven't actually seen one myself. Supposedly they are more keen to live in the desert than up here in the snow. I have seen pictures, though. They have ridiculously large ears." He said, motioning to his own. "Ah." She smiled understandingly. He laughed, "I guess even as a baby mine were unusually large. Even for an elf. I suppose my parents thought they were being clever." She laughed, "I like Fenneck though. It's a nice name." She complimented him. He smiled, "Well thank you. I'm quite fond of it myself." He looked down into the ravine below them and saw a pack of wolves eating the carcass of a deer. He pulled Natalya back so they wouldn't be seen. She caught a glimpse of them before Fenneck's arm stopped her. "Oh come on, you really don't want to take them on?" She whispered. "They aren't bothering us and we have no need to bother them." He dissuaded her. She sighed in disappointment as they quietly backed away from the ridge, careful not to bother the creatures. When they were a safe distance away, Fenneck spoke again, "So, I was thinking we should probably start packing and getting ready to head to Flottenheim soon." She stopped and looked at him, confused. "Why?" She seemed upset by this. "Well, for the winter." Fenneck stopped and turned back to her. "It's far too dangerous to be out here in the cold months. Besides, the Winter's Eve Festival is soon and we won't want to miss it." He had thought this would have been obvious to her. Especially since their supplies were starting to run low. She seemed apprehensive, "Oh. Well..." Fenneck walked toward her, "What's wrong? I thought it would have been obvious that we would have to go back to the city at some point." She looked down and thought for a moment, "I just... I left. Won't everyone... hate me?" Fenneck sighed and hesitantly took her hands in his own, "Of course not. Baegla said you were always welcome there. They understand. Probably better than we do." He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. Natalya looked up at him and nodded slowly, "Okay." She said quietly, still reluctant to leave the mountains. "Come on," Fenneck said, dropping her hands, "We should try to make it back before dark." He turned and led her to the cave. They took off their gear and Fenneck got to work on supper. Natalya joined him after relieving herself in the small alcove west of the cave they had dedicated to such tasks. "We should store our things in the back of the cave." Fenneck said as he cooked. "Mostly the barrels and boxes. I suppose we'll be back after the worst of the winter and I'm rather fond of this cave so I'd rather it not be repossessed by another bumblebear. I'll re-do the beast ward I have on the cave before we leave." He started planning for the winter. He was finding himself excited to be back in Flottenheim. In his tower. He loved the mountains, but he was anxious to have some time and space to himself away from Natalya. While things were okay between them, they weren't what Fenneck would prefer. The next few days were spent storing their supplies in the back of the cave and packing to head home to Flottenheim. Finally, one morning Fenneck and Natalya woke up early to head out. He performed his ritual as Natalya watched and waited. When he finished he stood and took one last look at the cave before turning to her. "You ready?" He asked calmly. "Yeah." Natalya said quietly. Fenneck knew she was nervous, but he was anxious to get home. "Let's go then." He turned and led her back home to Flottenheim. It was evening when they finally hit the city. Alexei was, uncharacteristically, out of the mountain and helping a couple of the Beary halflings carry some beer cases toward the mines. "Hey! Fenneck!" He set the boxes down and ran up to Fenneck before pulling him into a hug. Fenneck squeezed his friend and they kissed each other's cheeks affectionately. "Hey Lex, how are you?" He asked as Alexei settled next to him, still holding one of his arms. Alexei waved him off, "I'm fine. How are you? I haven't seen you in forever!" He glanced over at Natalya and looked back at Fenneck confused. Fenneck leaned in a bit, "I'll... explain later." He told Alexei who nodded understandingly. "I see. Well, I'm glad you're home. Just in time for the Winter's Eve Festival, too!" He paused a moment and looked to Natalya, having forgotten to greet her. "Natalya." He nodded toward her and she awkwardly nodded back. "I'll come hang out soon." Fenneck said, quickly trying to snuff any awkwardness. "I'm sure you'd appreciate me getting a bath first." Fenneck joked. Alexei smiled, "Oh please do. I'll let you both get settled. Have a good night." Fenneck pulled Alexei's arm toward him and they instinctively kissed each other. It was quick, nothing too sensual, but they hadn't kissed each other since Erikur had passed away. Alexei seemed a bit shook and Fenneck tried to play it off so it wouldn't be awkward. Especially with Natalya there. "Well, have a good night, Lex." Alexei nodded and smiled at him, "You too. I'm glad you're home Fenneck." He gave Fenneck a nod and turned back to the halflings. Fenneck hurried to the palace and led Natalya inside. She had been quiet for nearly the entire journey and she seemed a bit upset by his encounter with Alexei. Baegla was in the throne room and she leapt off of her throne excitedly when she saw them enter. "Fenneck dear! Natalya!" She smiled at Fenneck mischievously. He rolled his eyes at her. "I'm so glad you made it!" She walked up to Natalya and reached up and took her hand, "I'm very glad to see you indeed." Baegla gave Natalya a welcoming smile and squeezed her hands gently before letting her go and addressing them both. "I'm sure you're both tired-" She waved her hand in front of her face. "-and in need of a good bath." She said teasingly. "I'll let you settle in and then tomorrow evening we can celebrate together and you can tell us all about your exciting adventures in the mountains." She said cheerfully. "Thank you Baegla. We're glad to be home as well." Fenneck bowed his head to her politely, "Is Natalya's old room open?" He asked. Baegla seemed a little disappointed that they wouldn't be sharing a room, and didn't hide it very well. "Of course. I'll have a bath drawn for you there, then." She said to Natalya. "Well, I won't keep you any longer." She nodded to them both and Fenneck led Natalya down the hall to the lifts. When they got out onto the second level they were met with Jasna coming down the hall toward them, much to Fenneck's annoyance. She squealed when she saw Fenneck and ran to hug him. "Oh my goodness! It's been forever!!!" Fenneck reluctantly hugged her back. He was desperate to put his things down and have a moment to himself to breath. "How've things been?" He asked, hoping for a short answer but not having much faith that that would be the case. Jasna excitedly started sharing the latest court gossip, "I've been good. Not much has happened since you left. Catherine and Vyndius ran off again and we have no idea when they'll be back. Wyeth went on a trip to Thymryu and he found some stupid sentient leaf that he will not shut up about. So don't bring up anything that could possibly open up that can of worms, or leaves in this particular case." She clapped her hands sharply as the next thought entered her head, startling Fenneck. "Oh! Zeitdrache is here by the way. He brought a very sexy tiefling courtesan with his court who I think is also a scribe? Maybe an advisor? Or war strategist?" She tilted her head in wonder before shrugging, "I actually don't know what she does, all I know is I've been spending some very erotic evenings with her." Fenneck stopped her, "Wait, King Zeitdrache is here?" He asked her. Jasna stopped for a moment, "Oh yes, he's quite nice. Very handsome. I'm sure Baegla will introduce you tomorrow or something. He's here for the festival. Isn't that exciting?!" Fenneck shrugged, "I suppose so. I didn't realize we were so friendly with Thymryu all of a sudden." He pointed out a bit judgmentally. Jasna shrugged and tried to change the subject, "I don't know too much about the whole political situation. What I do know about is that Elyon started sleeping with Caeda which is causing a lot of drama in the court-" Suddenly Jasna noticed Natalya which seemed to be the magical trick to shut her up. She smiled softly at Natalya and gently took her hands, "I'm so glad you're going to be spending the winter with us again." She told her calmly before turning to both of them, "I'll let you both rest up and find you later to catch up." She gave Fenneck a small smile and politely nodded and left them. Fenneck cleared his throat and led Natalya to her room. She opened the door and he turned to go to his own room. He felt bad for not telling her good night but he had to get away from her for a moment. After being alone in his own space for so many years, he was starting to find her constant presence a bit annoying. He finally made it to his room and took off his heavy pack, his swords and his bow. He sighed with relief and rolled his sore shoulders. He looked around his room and smiled, relieved to be in his little sanctuary. He saw Erikur relaxing, naked, in his warm bath. "Hey, you finally made it." Erikur said, seductively running his hands through the warm water. Fenneck sighed and took his clothes off. "Well, I took your advice." Fenneck told him as he undressed. "And?" Erikur asked him. "It's not great, but it's not exactly awful." He commented passive aggressively as he pulled his snow-caked boots off. "Well, I think it's going well. I mean, your growing closer right?" Erikur commented. Fenneck sighed and pulled his undergarments off and looked at his grimy body in the mirror. They had a wash bucket in the mountains they used occasionally but it was not the same as getting to take a warm bath. "Oh who cares. Come join me!" Erikur called to him. Fenneck sighed and lowered himself into the bath and sighed gratefully as the warm water consumed him. He undid his braid and let his long white hair fall down around his face. "I always liked your hair." Erikur commented, watching him. "I know. I miss you being here to braid it." Fenneck told him. Erikur shrugged, "Your braids are perfectly fine." "Not as good as yours." Fenneck said before dunking his head under the water, causing Erikur to disappear. He scrubbed the grime and sweat from his body and got out of his now dirty bath water and dried himself off with a towel. He looked over at his bed and saw Evelyn sitting there, naked under the covers, reading her dirty little book of Elvish pornography. "I figured you could use some inspiration." She suggested teasingly. "That is why you wanted to escape Natalya, isn't it? You needed some alone time." Fenneck scoffed as he settled down next to her under the covers. Evelyn leaned against him, "What about that kiss with Alexei? What was that about?" She teased him. "I'm not sure." He said, avoiding her eyes. "I guess...I just wanted to remember. What it's like to... kiss someone." Evelyn smiled up at him, "Well?" She asked. Fenneck smiled, "It was... fine. I had no strong intentions about it." He turned to look into her shining, bright blue eyes. "Do you think I'm being ridiculous by not kissing her yet? It's been a full year now." Fenneck asked her. Evelyn shook her head, "I think it's sweet that you're taking it slow." Fenneck shrugged and picked at the fur on his blanket, "I can't decide how to go about my relationship with her. I want a small break, I think. I need time to consider everything." Evelyn nuzzled against him, "Why don't you take your mind off of her?" She said gently caressing his chest. Fenneck sighed and lowered himself onto his back and touched himself as Evelyn teased him. Erikur came in to join them and after a while Fenneck found himself lying alone in his bed needing new sheets. They always did that. They teased and seduced him and then left him dry when they were done, leaving Fenneck to feel like shit about his selfish hallucinations. He cleaned himself off and started meditating, trying to push his heavy thoughts and emotions out of his mind.