It'd been two days now... just two.. but that was far too many. Worry had settled in little Eluf, who was quite used to seeing his soldier on a daily basis. Even going a single day left him rather antsy, and concerned. Thankfully, during the day, there were distractions to keep him from fretting too much. He had to help on his family's estate, after all. He'd figured that Macaire must have been given a duty to guard something precious, or to go on a small business trip and ensure that the merchant got there safely... but... the young man couldn't keep his mind from the uncertainty's and the troublesome thoughts of terrible things that might have happened to the man he'd grown so very fond of. He'd deliberated with himself tediously, whether or not it was appropriate to go out and look for the other man. But the romantic in him couldn't keep at bay, and ensured that if he cared for the soldier, then he would! And so, after he was completed with all his daily tasks, Eluf ventured off to town, atop his trusty steed Axe.
The place was shifting from day activities to evening ones, most slowly starting to make their way to the pub, to join their pals that had already been there. Such places were lively, and loud, light filtering out and playing shapes along the cobblestone outside. Honey green eyes looked about frantically for any sign of the large man, Axe doing the same. He could feel the distress his chosen had been going under, and though he did not fully agree with the joining the two men had, he knew Eluf wasn't deserving of such stress. But he also remained vigilant and protective of the little beauty, keeping especially close when they'd pass by drunkards and the like. Occasionally Eluf would stop to ask someone if they'd had any sightings of Macaire, though earned quite a few headshakes, and apologies... but it didn't stop him from scoring the town. Please... don't have let anything bad befall on him..
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 2:14 pm
Macaire does not seem to have "pals," as those other men do, perhaps not having been in town long enough to acquire them. When not on duty, much of his time is taken up with Cadence -- though Macaire is reluctant to explain to Eluf the particulars of these training sessions, being himself unable to think of distressing the younger man by discussing such frightening matters as war. But their close association has ensured that Eluf will at least know of the old soldier's most frequent haunts, where at times he will go for a pint in the places where folk won't stare at his red-tinted hair and taller stature. And it is at one of these taverns, a smaller establishment at the end of the street, that Eluf will get his first clue as to the whereabouts of his paramour.
The place is simply marked, with a wooden board over the door on which has clumsily been painted what may be a set of three green leaves. But neither years nor weather has been kind to the paint, so that it would take prior knowledge to determine the name -- the Threeleaf Tavern. Here the scattered handful of Aireland ex-patriots gather to grumble (quietly) to one another, to eat foods that remind them of their homeland, to pretend that the beer here isn't anything like the beer back home.
And outside the door, lying curled on a blanket, is Cadence, though it may take Eluf a moment to realize that this is so. Even a glance will see that there is something strange about the other buck; he has always been a big fellow, outweighing Axe more and more as he has grown, but even his shape is different now. It is as if some unknown hand took his bulky shape and streamlined him in preparation for some unspecified purpose -- he looks more serious now, more dangerous, the great wide rack of his antlers having branched again and possessing sharper points. As if to complete the look, he has curled around him a long tail which ends with a great floof of fur, which twitches side to side even in his sleep.
Should Eluf for a moment doubt that this is indeed Cadence, for he seems a wholly different creature despite his identical pelt, he will have another clue. Drifting out across the street is a big deep voice, roughened by long hours and slurred by alcohol. Though he has never heard Macaire sing, there can be no mistaking his voice .. and if he is no professional, there is a certain sorrowful poignancy to the older man's song that plucks the heart-strings nonetheless.
"Nay Father, oi will nae mair look fare a bonny bride; Fare nae ither then me Guardian will e'er walk by me side. Nae cottage oi will build, nae one place oi'll call home; In thonder foothills cold and bleak forever we shall roam .. "
A set of new thoughts started to form into Eluf's mind. What if... he'd left town. Permanently..? returned back to his homeland, or found somewhere else to go, or had a spell of wanderlust? would the soldier have left town without telling him..? perhaps so, to spare the young man's feelings. But.. why? Axe could feel the tension in his chosen, which resorted in the buck gently nosing some of that beautiful curly hair, in a rare gesture of endearment. It was helpful enough to snap Eluf out of his depressing state of mind. Right. He had to focus. An appreciative smile was aimed up to the powerful stag, before stepping onward to search further in the town.
It was darkening, the street's gaining shadow and the lamps slowly getting lit. But this hindered his ability to see all too well, relying on the aid of the pubs bright lights to help him in his hunt. Perhaps Macaire was inside one of them? But he recalled how protective the soldier had been the last times he'd been in there with him.. Apparently it wasn't a good idea for someone like himself to go in there alone... but... he might be in there! a bit conflicted, that pretty face drew its brows closer together, peeking into a few of the window's to see if he could catch a glimpse of the stocky man. However... it was Axe who signaled him to a more sound clue... the buck transferring a silent communication to Eluf. It was then that those green gems tore from the window to find an unimaginable sight... some sort of grand creature just lying outside of one of the pubs down the way! he stared for a moment, almost as if confused, but in awe at the same time. It looked like a guardian, but... different.. it also looked like one he knew... but again, different. Axe didn't seem terribly threatened, remaining his usual neutral while gazing at the awakened buck, so Eluf decided it would be ok to take a closer look.
Upon doing so, he gasped softly. Those markings... they couldn't be mistook for anything else... Cadence! But he looked different! Larger, more grand and majestic! perplexed, the lithe man knelt and gently extended a hand to place to the other guardian's cheek, "Cadence...!" he softly whispered. He felt a touch guilty for trying to wake the darling buck, but... if he was here, surely that meant Macaire was nearby! Axe watched Cadence intensely, making sure the other guardian didn't harm his chosen in the process of waking. But his black ears twitched as he heard a voice strike up into the coming night, eyes snapping towards the area of the source. Eluf reacted too, and turned to look behind him, "Macaire..?!" he gasped, swiftly standing, and hurrying over towards the somber voice. Surely it was him! the sound was distorted, but... he knew that deep tone anywhere!
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 9:24 pm
The long tail twitches as Eluf approaches, some soft sound alerting the Guardian to the arrival of a friend -- perhaps it is just Axe's split hooves upon the street, or perhaps it is the fact that Cadence has never met anyone who is not a friend. He stirs when Eluf touches him, moving his head into that touch almost before he has woken, and when he wakes fully his ears go forward and his head comes up. He cannot smile, but there is in his bearing a sense of pleasure, for he knows Eluf and he knows Axe, and even if Eluf sometimes distracts Macaire and Axe is more than a little cranky, Cadence likes them both.
Cadence likes everyone.
When Eluf behaves in this new and different fashion, agitated by Macaire's voice, Cadence snorts in surprise. Where is his ear-scratch, his head-petting, his apple from one of Eluf's pockets? Where are all the compliments he is accustomed to, about how handsome he is and how big he is getting? His gaze turns to Axe, astonished and indignant, as if he cannot imagine why Eluf is acting this way, and hopes that Axe will be able to explain.
The inside of the tavern is small and rather dirty, though it serves well enough for those that come here. Eluf's hurried arrival will occasion several half-interested stares, but most of those present seem to have been affected by the mood of the music currently being bellowed to the whole of the place. For some reason Macaire's singing has struck them especially hard tonight: maybe it is the presence of the peculiar Guardian outside, or maybe it is the rumors of wolves, but they are listening intently to his song and caught by its spell.
Macaire himself is off to one side, sitting tilted onto only the back legs of his chair, his booted feet on the table and a mug in his hand. Head tipped back, he regards the ceiling very solemnly indeed, not seeming to notice that one of the wenches is subtly refilling his tankard as he pauses in between verses to try and remember which song it was that he had been singing.
Were he not so fretted, Eluf surely would have doted all over darling Cadence... but his mind was distracted, and he hoped the grand stag would forgive his negligence just this once. Axe regarded the other guardian with the same sort of displeasure he expressed towards just about everyone that wasn't Eluf. Snorting softly, he gave a narrowing of his eyes, and simply glanced after his chosen as he hurried off. Not being able to go inside, he decided to stay with Cadence... just this once, though he watched the tavern diligently.
Once inside, Eluf was swarmed with the typical sounds and sights of a bar, a place he still rarely frequented. He was very much out of his element here, but did his best to remain in the background rather than a main attraction. Thankfully the glances were sparse and didn't linger too long. It certainly was busy... crowded, and rather jaunty. The reason for it seemed to be the man he'd been searching for. "Macaire..." he whispered to himself in shock, seeing the man reclined oh so comfortably, with his ale in hand, and voice filling the air. Eluf watched him, glancing to just a few folks around him for their take on the matter, before slowly making his way closer to the soldier, though gaining a few raised brows and perhaps a stink eye or two from a few of the ladies working there. Maybe he'd been worrying over nothing...? perhaps he should just turn back. Macaire certainly seemed to be alright, and enjoying himself...
The young man convinced himself he'd just ask to make sure... to see if maybe he could find out what Macaire'd been up to the past few days. Finally reaching the table, he managed a tiny smile for the large man, his hands folding neatly in front of him, though not rude enough to interrupt his singing... especially since he felt it may anger all the satisfied customers around him. So he would wait to say his soft hello when the tune was finished.
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 8:54 am
musicaloner7
Cadence huffs a smaller snort back at Axe, and then very deliberately gets up, stretching just a little in a way that is .. odd. He ought not to be able to move like that, if he is only a deer; he bends in ways he shouldn't, and muscles flex where on a deer there would be only fluff and perhaps a thin layer of fat. But he does not seem aware that he is different, merely standing and stepping over before settling back down again, this time with his feet tucked underneath him. This leaves -- purely by chance -- a section of the blanket he has been sitting on large enough for Axe to share it. Should, that is, the other Guardian be willing to do so.
Inside, Macaire has hiccuped, then begun to rub his eyes with one hand, and should Eluf look closer it will become more and more plain that he is not here because he is happy, because he is enjoying himself. His eyes are red and there are bags under them; he has not shaved in at least a full day, if not two, and he is desperate need of a comb to run through his hair. The big, deep voice that has been singing is strained, and the song -- for all that it mentions Guardians! -- is not a happy one. He cannot even bring himself to sing the last verse, for it is too triumphant, too hopeful, too purposeful. He rubs his eyes and lets his chair slap back down on all four feet, putting his own booted feet back onto the floor.
It will be only then as he takes his hand off his face that he notices Eluf, and immediately he makes a strangled sound of shock, his eyes going big and wide as if he very much doubts what he sees before him. Oh small gods, cruel gods, unkind gods! Have they brought this apparition here to torment him? He reaches out, to finger the front of Eluf's vest, to check and see whether or not he really is here, to see if he really does exist. " .. ach, lad. Ye shouldnae luik upon me now, oi am nae gud enou' tae be worthy of yer gaze." The rolling accent for which Macaire is known is much thicker tonight, even when he speaks slowly and deliberately to try and make himself understood.
<"Oh, lad. You shouldn't look at me now, I'm not good enough to be worthy of your gaze.">
During the process of his adjustment, Axe does not look to Cadence once, not until he's heard the other buck resettle. Glancing over to his fellow guardian, he notes the newly made space... his golden gaze slides to Cadences, before he slowly reverts back to guarding mode. The poor awakened stag's kindness overlooked by the grumpy Axe... who much prefers to stay on his hooves, prepared, and ready should something unsavory befall upon his chosen.
Once Macaire had finished his aria, most of the murmuring and buzzing of the pub returned, conversations struck up, and a few more mugs filled to the brim. Eluf only gave a small glance to a few nearby customers, before his entire focus was aimed on the soldier. He... looked awful, upon closer inspection. His eyes... his face, looked so worn, and tired. Had the man slept at all? The strain in his voice.. he'd never seen Macaire in such a state... it made delicate brows draw closer together with clear concern, a step taken forward before a large hand began to do an investigation of its own. A prickle of heat touched his cheeks at the contact, his own much smaller hand lifting to gently place underneath a much larger forearm. He.. couldn't make reason of the other mans words, but did his best to try and decipher. Unfortunately, to little avail. "Macaire.." he murmured again, "What's happened to you? you do not look well at all." he keeps his voice only for the two of them to hear, hoping that the others around would be too invested in their drink and company to pay too much attention. It... then draws another possible conclusion to little Eluf's mind, "Have you.. been here these last few days?" he asks, his other arm staying true to his side, and resisting the urge to reach out and lightly smooth the tousled hair, or touch a stubbly cheek.
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 5:08 pm
musicaloner7
Cadence huffs a snort of breath at Axe's snub, but does not seem insulted by it -- it's funny, really! He settles back down, but Axe may find that near Cadence is not a particularly good place to be, for now and again there are strangers coming up to Cadence to say hello. They are all poorer folk, tavern wenches, street urchins, cook-shop men and spit-turn boys, among whom the rumors run the quickest, and they never stay for long. But they come up and put their hands on Cadence's head, and sometimes bring him little things; flowers or vegetables or sometimes a ribbon. They will try to approach Axe, so long as he stays in sight, to offer him similar tokens of admiration .. but it is Cadence, Cadence and his strange new look, that they most want to see.
Inside the tavern, Macaire can hardly flush darker, but there is the impression of distressed embarrassment. Little Eluf! His dear little Eluf! He shouldn't see him like this! But the drink has taken Macaire completely over, and for all that he has been until now completely proper in public, he is somewhere past coherent now. His face crinkles with sorrow, and taking Eluf by the arm he drags the smaller man into an overly tight embrace, his voice almost a moan.
"Oi couldnae stand it, nat tae see ya .. but oi couldnae manage, when me lad's gone all spooky, and it's wulves, wulves, wulves, everywhere ye lissen." As incoherent as this may be, it ends with a low groan, and for a moment it seems like Macaire is about to go to sleep right there, his head tucked over Eluf's shoulder, body bent around him. But then he loosens his grip, and clumsily pets Eluf's hair, and fortunately though there are a few titters nearby, no one's staring at them in horror or disbelief. Poor Eluf is just on the bad side of a drunk's affection, they think. " .. oi donae ken what day it be," Macaire says finally. "Is it the-marrow yet? Oi told meself oi would leave when me tankard were dry, ainly oi havenae finished it yet."
This may be due to the staff -- Macaire's morose songs and Cadence's presence have been drawing guests into the little tavern, more than enough to be worth the expense of keeping the old soldier's mug full.
<"I couldn't stand it, not to see you .. but I couldn't manage, when my lad's gone all spooky, and it's wolvesw, wolves, everywhere you listen. I don't know what day it is. Is it tomorrow yet? I told myself that I'd leave when my mug was dry, only I haven't finished it yet."
Perhaps it is a bad idea indeed to be around Cadence now... for the black stag finds himself growing irritated by the influx of people who keep coming far too close to him for his liking. Muscles flexed, and body rigid, he stands tall to try and intimidate some people away, even those who try and come near Cadence, now protecting the other guardian as well from the likes of those that weren't their chosen. He gives some firm snorts of disapproval at those that might wander too close to him... though... he finds himself transfixed on those that bring treats of varying degree.... they seem to earn passage with him, and he allows himself to dine on a few of the offerings, though he does so swiftly, so as not to waste anytime.
Oh Macaire... poor, darling Macaire. Even with his face so flushed, and that expression distorting his face, Eluf cannot find himself repulsed by the man he's come to adore. If anything, it makes him want to help in anyway he can! Surely something must have triggered the soldier into going so wayward like this. But before he can speak, he's in the older mans familiar arms, heat now rushing to his own face from how securely he's pulled against the strong barreled chest. How heavily Macaire smells of alchohol, that it's quite overpowering. But Eluf does not retract, having missed this sort of embrace for far too long. He allows it, closing his eyes as he listens to the woeful ramblings, small hands trapped between their pressed bodies, though nimble fingers give a subtle petting against a muscular pec. He can't help but feel a flutter in his stomach of guilty delight that the soldier missed him... for he did too as well. Dearly. Though the talk of wolves... spooky? Ah. So that was it. Somehow, the beauty felt a little relieved that it was something his mind had been dreading. But the concern that his lover had was still one he would not belittle; for it was very much something to worry about.
Since Macaire has almost entirely engulfed his own smaller stature against him, Eluf is safe from any eyes that may notice the faint kiss that's pressed to the soldier's ear, in a gesture of reassurance and to try and quell his distress. He softly murmurs into the other mans ear, voice smooth, and calm, to help sooth Macaire's troubled thoughts, "I missed you dearly as well... I was so worried something terrible had happened to you." he pauses, positioning his words precisely, "it seems with the wolves now upon us, Cadence has simply taken to a form that will be of better use if there is to be battle. It is something to Celebrate, Macaire~" he coo's, smiling faintly, "I'm sure he'll make an even greater ally on the field, don't you think?" he tries to place the situation into a more positive light. Now... the mug of ale that remained...
He peeked over his shoulder, at what remained of the soldier's drink. With a gentle pat to the other mans chest, little Eluf turns himself carefully to the side, and lets an arm extend out to pick it up. He didn't want Macaire to drink any more, should he get himself terribly ill. But he had a suspicion the soldier may try and drink it anyway... Staring into the rippling amber liquid, his second hand lifted as well to help support the mug, as he placed the rim to his lips, and tipped it back. It was quite a lot... and he still wasn't used to drink it. His little brows knit slightly, and he had to take a small break, with a quiet cough, before going at it again to finish. He swallowed the last drip down, and placed the mug onto the table, lips pressed firmly as the taste overwhelmed his senses. Looking back to Macaire, he gently places a hand onto the older mans cheek, to encourage his head to lift, so that he may create the illusion that he's inspecting the drunken man further, lightly smoothing his bangs to the side to get a better look at his reddened eyes. "There. You're finished. I'll take you home, so you can get some rest, alright? We'll figure this all out, I promise." he smiles sweetly, patting the stubbly cheek lightly.
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 6:05 pm
musicaloner7
Fortunately, Cadence has soon lain his head down again, as if weary enough not to care that Axe has decided to "protect" him -- otherwise he might contest the blocking of any of his admirers. He likes everyone, whether they bring gifts or not, and at least that means that he will not protest Axe taking the tokens on his behalf.
And Macaire -- well, he groans very softly when Eluf says the word 'battle,' for that is a cruel, cruel thing to hear Eluf say, Eluf who he does not want to think about battles or war, Eluf whom he wants to protect from any of that nonsense. If he could he would wrest the whole world around so that Eluf would never have to learn what that word meant --
"'Tis nae joy in war, m'lad, 'tis nae joy at all .." The words are low and distracted, however, for as he settled back he reached for his tankard again only to find it already taken by his younger companion. He watches in stiffly frozen shock as Eluf drinks it, gaping at the youth with his mouth dropped wide open: the little cough he gives before he finishes causes Macaire to make finally another strangled noise and reach belatedly for the mug. But his hand misses, and by the time he gets that sorted Eluf is already done.
.. and from the tables nearby there is some scattered applause at Eluf's clever trick. The tankard had to be dry, didn't it? And now it's Eluf that's gone and drained it! Someone sets up a cheer, someone else sputters a laugh, and even Macaire seems to realize that he's been beaten in this. "Yer mad," he tells Eluf, but his tone is one of astonished admiration, and he will heave himself carefully to his feet, setting a hand on Eluf's shoulder to keep the room from swaying. " .. yer mad," he repeats, sounding pleased now. " .. but 'twill do fer me. Let's see about a bucket with some cruel cold water, aye? Cud dae wit' a quick wash."
If it were possible, Eluf's already gentle smile grew even more so. Yes.. war was something he himself was not experienced with but... he knew it was not something to be happy for. Even so, he'd heard of some of the older citizens in town speaking of the blessing it was to have an awakened guardian... a creature that would make wolves even stop in their tracks. If anyone deserved one, it was Macaire.
He could easily say he was not expecting the reaction he got from the crowd around them, even blushing brightly from the applause and praise. Was... it that grand a feat? His smile turned shy, and he looked to Macaire for his own take on the matter. This only made him smile more as the soldier complied. Carefully, he kept a hand atop of the exceedingly larger one on his slender shoulder, guiding the drunk man through the tables and people, to reach the front of the bar. There, he requested a simple wooden bucket filled with some water, since he was unsure if Macaire had such things back at his flat... or if he'd be able to remember where they were. While fishing into one of his pockets to pay, one of the bartenders gave a smirk and headshake to decline, before placing the desired item atop the counter with a thud. It seemed even he wanted to see the soldier get cleaned back up. Smiling thankfully, Eluf reached to take said bucket, and continued to coax his darling Macaire to follow him outside. Perhaps the fresh air might help him too.
Once out, he looked along the streets to see who was out and about, as well as to seek out the proper direction that would lead to the soldiers home. However.. curiously taken by how many had gathered by their pair of guardians. At that moment, Axe lifted his head from the palm of a woman offering him a honey soaked piece of bread, and stared straight towards Eluf. Disregarding anyone else, he gave loud stomp of his hoof near Cadence to rouse the other buck up from his restful state. It was time for them to go. He trotted right on over to Eluf, and looked him over thoroughly, before glancing at Macaire... gaze narrowed sharply with displeasure... clearly not happy with the state the soldier had let himself get into.
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:47 pm
musicaloner7
Out on the street, Macaire studiously ignores any remaining petitioners for Cadence's affection, and fortunately they ignore him, too. At the moment Macaire doesn't look much like a Chosen from the songs and stories, and even a bucket of water isn't going to change that. But he leans against the side of the building and accepts the bucket from Eluf nonetheless, able with great effort to hold it steady while he -- perhaps to the surprise of those watching -- dumps it outright over his head, then shakes his head fiercely at the frightening chill.
"Brrrrrrhh!" The noise sounds like a great big animal growling, and this more than Axe's stomp will wake Cadence out of his deep sleep, so that the Guardian lurches suddenly to his feet with his ears back and his tail thrashing behind him. After a moment Cadence blinks to himself and realizes that it's his own fool Chosen who has made this terrible noise, and he gives them all such an astonished look that even Macaire, rubbing water out of his eyes, snorts a coarse-edged laugh.
" .. tsh, lad, 'tis jest cold as a hag's t -- .. eeeeth." He coughs for a moment, as if taken with some peculiar affliction, but Cadence only huffs a disdainful noise and stomps his own hooves.
" .. hush," Macaire tells him, looking sidelong at Eluf with something like embarrassment, and trying his best to ignore Axe's disapproval. "Well, it were," he mumbles, before setting the bucket aside and raking his hands through his hair. The water seems to have tamed it somewhat, and now that they are outside, it's possible Eluf can coax Cadence into bearing some -- or even all! -- of the big soldier's weight.
Eluf is indeed shocked to see how the water is used, almost cringing himself though he's not the one receiving the cold shower. That was certainly one way to wake up! but he wasn't sure how good it'd be for the soldier's health... any matter, it felt nice to be out of that place. He'd found Macaire. Now it was just the matter of getting him home, and tucked into bed safely. The 'growl' did earn a little blink of surprise on Eluf's part, but he mostly just chuckled lightly under his breath in amusement to Cadence's reaction. Axe, however as always, was not amused in the slightest, and rolled his eyes at Macaire.
Thankfully the traffic on the road was scarce, asides from the few who were traveling back and forth on foot, most retreating home. They wouldn't have too much difficulty in the ways of space and enough room to navigate through the roads. Looking to Cadence, Eluf made his way over to the stag, with a sweet smile in tow, reaching out to gently stroke his cheek , the other along the length of the elongated snout, "Cadence, would you mind assisting me with guiding Macaire back home? I'd like to make sure he gets some rest." he coo's to the stag, hands moving fluidly, clearly trained in the skill of doting and pleasing hoofed creatures. Axe shows some hostility on the matter, jealousy more so, snorting lightly where he stands near Macaire, watching with a glare as Cadence gains his chosen's affections.
Eluf will try and coax the awakened guardian to the unstable soldier, smiling to Macaire once he's near him again, "Will you be able to walk alright with Cadence as a support?" he reaches for one of the powerful hands to take into his own, holding it for just a moment before guiding it to the soft pelt that Cadence has, watching the older man's movements to better gauge his condition.
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:02 pm
As jealous as Axe may be, Cadence eats it up. His ears go up and his tail curls up behind him, and he actually leans into Eluf's touch with the sense that he'd do absolutely anything the young man asked of him now. He's practically melting! This probably doesn't make Axe any happier, but it does mean that Eluf will hardly be able to escape from the other Guardian; Cadence trots right on his heels back to Macaire, more than willing to help.
" .. aye, aye, oi b'ain't sae fluthered as that," Macaire grumbles, even as he tries to grab hold of the padding that Cadence wears .. and then loses his grip, fumbling a moment before he lets Eluf's hands guide him to the right place. Even as he takes proper hold, Cadence seems to decide that he can do a good bit more and abruptly lowers himself to his knees -- the sudden movement causing his Chosen to slip forward, falling over his back. "Why ye great big feckin' hallion!" With a groan, however, and perhaps a bit of help from Eluf, Macaire can get himself sorted -- sitting on Cadence's back properly, now that the Guardian is more than large enough to carry his great bulk. Cadence stands, and will thank Eluf for his assistance by licking his ear happily, waiting for Eluf to mount Axe before stepping neatly out into the street.
And he will not lead them homeward bound, oh no! Not to Macaire's flat and not out of town to Eluf's home. There is another place he has decided to go, and Macaire will not even realize it until they are there; it is a public bathhouse, where rooms full of steaming hot water can be had for a couple of coppers, and Cadence will stop right in front of it and not move, no matter how they plead.
With Macaire mounted upon his guardian, Eluf followed suit with Axe, giving his stag a few calming strokes along the smooth back of his neck. They followed Cadence right behind, to keep from taking up too much space on the road, cloven hooves clicking and echoing through the darker town. However... Eluf found himself confused by the route they were now taking. Was this some sort of back way or short cut to Macaire's home? Well... he'd trust Cadence on this one, since the buck seemed rather confident in his gait.
When they arrived at the bathhouse, there was shock ridden on the younger man's face, Axe moving to stand at Cadence's side. Earthen tone eyes flickered over to the awakened guardian with question. Why... had they stopped here? But upon looking at the tousled soldier, a somewhat understanding expression overcame his features. Well.. Macaire did look pretty bad from being in a stupor for two day's... or even longer. Dismounting Axe, he walked to Cadence's side, "I'll help him get cleaned up." he assured, giving the stag a pat on the neck. A nice bath, and then straight to bed for Macaire. With assistance from Cadence, Eluf was able to help the drunken man shuffle into the building to help him gain maybe some of his mind back.
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