[The loss of the fairy rings, along with the loss of communications, had really screwed him over. He's already noticed that he can't do much without either of them, and he has contacts to meet and no way to get to them. What does he do? What can he do? Now stuck with a useless locket and nowhere to go, he rides as long as he can over night until he comes across a familiar tavern. There's an old man there who always likes to talk, and Jason likes to listen. From what he's found, most of what the man says is true. Sometimes there's some fabrication thrown in for the sake of embellishment, but who doesn't tell a story that way?
Jason generally likes that.
He found him early in April, jumping from fairy ring to fairy ring to clear his head. The absence of Hiro, combined with his own burgeoning responsibilities, had led him to seeking out freedom. He had been in an emotional haze then, and he had been trying to run from the noise. When he found the old man, the noise continued, but he settled in and listened. Something about it had been comforting.
Now at a loss of resources without anywhere to go, he listens again, a pint of something thick and dark in front of him. He's intent on hearing the end of this story about the Seelie bastards when he notices everyone else turning toward the newest entrant. The only one who doesn't seem to give a damn about him is his old man, and that's because he's still talking.
Of course, Jason would normally be keen on continuing to listen, but he knows that face. He knows that face.
Torn between two decisions, he finally lifts a finger up.]
An obligation just walked in. Can I get a rain check?
[The man looks at him uncertainly.]
I wanna hear the rest later. That sound good?
[Toothily with a wide grin, the old man agrees. Jason shoves over his beer in way of payment for that, and he gets up to greet Hiro as he approaches the bar.]
Don't worry, guys. He's with me. [He waves the natives off as they look at Hiro curiously, like he might have walked into the wrong place. While this tavern is mostly Unseelie-based in its loyalties, the occasional bandit walks in from time to time to cause trouble. They want food, but they get greedy, especially when they spot a shardbearer. There are a couple seated by the door right now, but they know better than to mess with Jason. Now that he's laid "claims" on Hiro? They know not to mess with him, too.
Jason's made it clear what happens when someone tries, after all.
He closes off the rest of the distance between him and Hiro, hand planted firmly on Hiro's head as he finishes moving him to the bar.]
Long time no see, old chap. [The words are slightly accented and mocking, too.
no subject
Jason generally likes that.
He found him early in April, jumping from fairy ring to fairy ring to clear his head. The absence of Hiro, combined with his own burgeoning responsibilities, had led him to seeking out freedom. He had been in an emotional haze then, and he had been trying to run from the noise. When he found the old man, the noise continued, but he settled in and listened. Something about it had been comforting.
Now at a loss of resources without anywhere to go, he listens again, a pint of something thick and dark in front of him. He's intent on hearing the end of this story about the Seelie bastards when he notices everyone else turning toward the newest entrant. The only one who doesn't seem to give a damn about him is his old man, and that's because he's still talking.
Of course, Jason would normally be keen on continuing to listen, but he knows that face. He knows that face.
Torn between two decisions, he finally lifts a finger up.]
An obligation just walked in. Can I get a rain check?
[The man looks at him uncertainly.]
I wanna hear the rest later. That sound good?
[Toothily with a wide grin, the old man agrees. Jason shoves over his beer in way of payment for that, and he gets up to greet Hiro as he approaches the bar.]
Don't worry, guys. He's with me. [He waves the natives off as they look at Hiro curiously, like he might have walked into the wrong place. While this tavern is mostly Unseelie-based in its loyalties, the occasional bandit walks in from time to time to cause trouble. They want food, but they get greedy, especially when they spot a shardbearer. There are a couple seated by the door right now, but they know better than to mess with Jason. Now that he's laid "claims" on Hiro? They know not to mess with him, too.
Jason's made it clear what happens when someone tries, after all.
He closes off the rest of the distance between him and Hiro, hand planted firmly on Hiro's head as he finishes moving him to the bar.]
Long time no see, old chap. [The words are slightly accented and mocking, too.
He doesn't want this to be a big deal.]