It hadn't been long since he had met Jesse on the road. The man could be taken as a humble wanderer, unassuming to most people. Sen might have even missed him on the road if not for the band of thieves that seemed to have harried him. It hadn't been hard to dispatch them, after all, Sen still had some magic about him to scare them off; Not much, but some.
Sen had figured that once he had helped Jesse and brought him to a town for safety they would've parted ways. But the man kept following him on the road. He never bothered to question it, it wasn't much of his business as to why. Ultimately though it was nice to have the company of the man. He was funny and it made the journey just a bit easier to have someone.
He had been left with the task of finding an old temple of his clan and retrieve some form of treasure inside. Whatever the treasure had been he did not know, only the fact that it was powerful and that his people needed it.
But, right now, they were on the road, with twilight beginning to set upon them. The elf let out a sigh, looking down the long road that was ahead of them. "As much as I'd like to keep going...we should probably set up camp for the evening. It'd be too dangerous to keep going in the dark," he says as he turns to Jesse.
Jesse might not look it, but he’s been around for a long, long while now, and meeting him on the road has traditionally been a risky thing for travelers. Their wellbeing is entirely dependent upon his whims, and while he never visits outright misfortune upon the undeserving, a bit of tricksiness never really hurt anybody… not too badly, at least.
Those thieves had been a different sort altogether though. Sen had saved him the trouble of taking care of them himself, and Jesse had immediately taken a liking to the warlock. He has always had a soft spot for adventurers. That Sen is handsome doesn’t hurt either.
His eyes flash with a hint of golden light as he glances down at his companion, and he resists the urge to smirk at his concern for what lies in the dark. Jesse rather enjoys traveling at night for that very reason, but he’s willing to forgo his riskier habits for Sen’s sake. Having to stop and rest, the whole ritual of setting up camp for the night, starting a fire to stave off the darkness… it’s quite novel.
“Reckon you’re right, and this is a nice enough spot for it too. I’ll get us a fire going if you handle the tent.”
He turns almost too late to notice the golden glint, he almost catches it and there was a moment of puzzlement on his face, but, he figures it was a trick of the setting sun. He see's that smile and only can give something of a soft smile to it. For whatever reason, whenever he looked at Jesse there always felt like there was some kind of hint of mischief in it. Maybe it was to be expected though. He had known Jesse at least enough to know the man did like his jokes.
"Here's hoping we don't get besieged by thieves in the night. But, I'm sure you'd keep me safe," he says thoughtfully. But, he moves to set down his pack and start pulling out the packed canvas for their tent. He pulls the pieces out and just begins to put things together with his back to Jesse. "We'll have another long walk tomorrow so it might be good to head out as early as dawn," he remarks already trying to set ideas down for plans.
He does sigh though craning his head to the sky. "Maybe we'll even find a decent waterfall I can take a bath in...I'd really like that," the small comforts because well...travelling didn't allow for a lot of comforts.
Jesse delights in those little close calls. He’s not like some of his kind, who prefer to hide entirely in the shadows. Where’s the fun in that? And this particular game is especially fun, given Sen has no idea what power Jesse has already begun to lend him. It’s only a little for now. He'd known it would take though, had known Sen was a worthy recipient. He’d already started thinking of the man as a warlock long before he’d lent the man even an ounce of his favor.
Some mortal creatures were just like that. They might not have been born with power, but they were fertile ground for it. All Jesse had to do was lend it a spark and fan the flames a little…
Speaking of, there’s a campfire to start. But before that, while Sen isn’t looking, he kneels down and traces the shape of a rune into the dirt. It glows a faint, burnished orange before sputtering out, its work done: an area effect, lending them some protection against unwelcome guests in the night.
“Don’t think we’ll have a problem here,” he says with a grin as he stands. “But don’t sell yourself short. You can take care of yourself, seen it with my own two eyes. You already forget how we met?”
He moves to the edges of the clearing, gathering firewood and bits of dry kindling.
“And you’re in luck with the waterfall. It’s not that close, but you should run into something like that about twenty minutes north of here.” He gives no explanation for how he knows that as he starts to put his pile together in something resembling a proper campfire.
He's a little too late to turn when he see's the fire up and going already. He does arc his brow but it's met with a small smile as he finishes up the tent. "You're awfully quick when making the fire," he remarks as he moves over to the fire. More unpacking of the pack and he sets up a pot above the fire. They would need to be cooking at some point tonight.
"You sound confident. But, I should take that as you'll be keeping me safe," Sen says looking over with a small smile and a tease of his own. But, still, he does nod to Jesse's point. "Yes well, I couldn't just leave you to them. Who knows what they might've done. But, I suppose you're right I am very capable," Sen says jokingly as he pours a one of their waterskins into the pot.
However, he is momentarily paused when Jesse says that. He looks to them curiously, blinking slowly. "Wait...how do you know that? Are you sure?" Because that would be some lucky guessing on his part. Still, he shakes his head. "It wouldn't be a good idea to split up though. Twenty minutes there, the time spent washing and then twenty minutes back? Who knows what could happen. No, I can go in the morning if that's the case after we pack up."
Jesse discretely blows out an errant flame lingering on the tip of one of his fingers as Sen comes to join him, not bothering to hide his sly smile.
“You’re more capable than you know,” he insists, picking up a stick to nudge the fire with as it crackles almost merrily in the dying light. He never has that problem where it just won’t catch, or it flickers and begins to die down before its time. No, Jesse’s fires burn bright and strong long as he needs them to.
“And the waterfall? Call it a hunch.”
How long will Sen take these half-answers, he wonders? This little dance around the truth? He watches his companion, firelight shining in his eyes as he considers the answer to that.
“Quick detour sounds best, and worth the time. Got to enjoy the little things when you’re on the road this long. And from what you’ve told me, you’ll be on a road a while longer yet.” It’s often that way with quests and the like. They’re rarely ever short and sweet.
"Well, thank you for the vote of confidence, regardless," Sen says with a smile.
There's a moment he purses his lips as he glances to Jesse, eyeing them curiously. He always did have a lot of hunches, lot of them right most of them too. Call it good luck or intuition but no...usually there's more to it. He hadn't bothered to pry though because what would be the point? If Jesse had meant any real harm he could've just killed him in his sleep right now and taken the map.
But, thoughts like that didn't even find purchase in his mind because he had trusted the man. He does sigh though because something was there. He just wasn't sure what. Either way, he sidles up beside Jesse now, his arms wrapping around Jesse's arm as he leans his head on their shoulder. Tired. That's just how he felt right now and well, aside from the fire Jesse had a comforting warmth he wanted to be close to right now.
"It doesn't feel like it is going to end any time soon. You hear about these kinds of things in stories but you never expect you'd need to go on one," Sen reflects as his eyes gaze into the fire. "It makes me tired sometimes...the long roads, the endless wandering. Sometimes I just want to get to the destination and be done with it," he says softly. But, it's then he squeezes Jesse's arm slightly as he shifts to keep his head on their shoulder, "One of the worthwhile things about it though is to have you here."
Jesse raises an eyebrow at the physical contact, but he doesn’t pull away from it. He’s quite physical himself when left to his own devices. In his truer form, most wouldn’t dare come close enough to even try what Sen is doing now. The contact is... nice. Unexpected, but comfortable. He relaxes into it with a quiet sigh.
“I was lucky meeting you when I did, and not just because of the bandits. I’m having a grand ol’ time tagging along, but I also don’t have what you’ve got on the line.”
He smiles down at his companion, then turns his attention back to the fire. He can feel it within him, a physical extension of his power—not unlike how Sen feels, with that bit of power taking root inside of him.
“A journey is a lot like a forge,” he muses. “The person you are when you set out isn’t the person who shows up at the end of it. You get sharpened along the way. Made into something new, something stronger. Ever heard of a trial by fire?”
Alright, maybe he’s going overboard with the fire analogies. He settles his weight against Sen and judges another bit of wood with his stick.
“Point being, this is all part of the process of you getting ready for that destination. I’ve seen it all before, and I see it in you too.”
He makes a soft humming noise as he listens to Jesse speak. He remains otherwise silent as he takes in the words and just looks at the fire. For whatever reason, he always felt a comfort now to being close to Jesse and right now, it only felt stronger. But, things are brought back to reality with what was on the line and it does make him frown if only slightly. "A lot of people are counting on me, it's true. It's hard not to fear about what might happen if I fail," he says softly. How depressing does that sound though.
He at least doesn't give into it or tries hard not to, but having soft reflections on these thoughts does seem to bring them to the surface. Still. The words Jesse gives him are comforting enough and he does nod slowly. "You have a point. It wouldn't have the same meaning if I didn't have to test my mettle in these fires," he answers. Regardless, he finally cranes his head up to smile up at Jesse.
"Who knew you could wax poetic like that. I'm impressed, you should write this down, sell a book when this is over," Sen jokes as he continues to sit beside Jesse, with arms still wrapped around the other man's. A small pause before he says, "I see it in you too, you know. When we started out and where we are now...you're not the same person you were before then. Not in a bad way...just, you've changed."
Another soft hum as Sen just nestles his head more into the man's shoulder, close to the crook of Jesse's neck as he looks at the fire. "Even if I still need to pass through fire...I wouldn't have gotten through this without you."
“Thought I was just all brawn and no brain, didn’t you?” He winks down at Sen, not minding the familiarity at all. It’s interesting, and Jesse hates nothing more than being bored—which is what makes that observation about him even more intriguing.
“Changed how?”
It could be any number of things. Having someone rely on him is a rare thing, for one, and it’s been an age since he was this caught up in a mortal life. Is it changing him, or is he merely returning to old habits?
“Either way, got to say it’s been an honor being along for the ride with you.”
"You have your moments, I suppose. We can't all be the smart one all the time," Sen answers with something of a playful coyness himself. However, there's not much to say with jokes is there? He could keep teasing all night, but when Cole asks that question he does have to give it some thought.
His face becomes pensive, as he shuts his eyes, keeping his head on Cole's shoulder. "Kinder. Sure, you pretend you aren't sometimes but I can tell. There's a look in your eye now when you want to help others. You say it's for a change of pace, Cole, but I think you genuinely want to help others now.
Sure, you find it fun but...there's definitely some satisfaction you get from it," Sen answers softly. He does smile though at the man's words, "Careful, Cole or you may just steal my heart away if you keep saying such things to me."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Fantasy AU; The Dragon Deity Patron and the Warlock
Sen had figured that once he had helped Jesse and brought him to a town for safety they would've parted ways. But the man kept following him on the road. He never bothered to question it, it wasn't much of his business as to why. Ultimately though it was nice to have the company of the man. He was funny and it made the journey just a bit easier to have someone.
He had been left with the task of finding an old temple of his clan and retrieve some form of treasure inside. Whatever the treasure had been he did not know, only the fact that it was powerful and that his people needed it.
But, right now, they were on the road, with twilight beginning to set upon them. The elf let out a sigh, looking down the long road that was ahead of them. "As much as I'd like to keep going...we should probably set up camp for the evening. It'd be too dangerous to keep going in the dark," he says as he turns to Jesse.
no subject
Those thieves had been a different sort altogether though. Sen had saved him the trouble of taking care of them himself, and Jesse had immediately taken a liking to the warlock. He has always had a soft spot for adventurers. That Sen is handsome doesn’t hurt either.
His eyes flash with a hint of golden light as he glances down at his companion, and he resists the urge to smirk at his concern for what lies in the dark. Jesse rather enjoys traveling at night for that very reason, but he’s willing to forgo his riskier habits for Sen’s sake. Having to stop and rest, the whole ritual of setting up camp for the night, starting a fire to stave off the darkness… it’s quite novel.
“Reckon you’re right, and this is a nice enough spot for it too. I’ll get us a fire going if you handle the tent.”
no subject
"Here's hoping we don't get besieged by thieves in the night. But, I'm sure you'd keep me safe," he says thoughtfully. But, he moves to set down his pack and start pulling out the packed canvas for their tent. He pulls the pieces out and just begins to put things together with his back to Jesse. "We'll have another long walk tomorrow so it might be good to head out as early as dawn," he remarks already trying to set ideas down for plans.
He does sigh though craning his head to the sky. "Maybe we'll even find a decent waterfall I can take a bath in...I'd really like that," the small comforts because well...travelling didn't allow for a lot of comforts.
no subject
Some mortal creatures were just like that. They might not have been born with power, but they were fertile ground for it. All Jesse had to do was lend it a spark and fan the flames a little…
Speaking of, there’s a campfire to start. But before that, while Sen isn’t looking, he kneels down and traces the shape of a rune into the dirt. It glows a faint, burnished orange before sputtering out, its work done: an area effect, lending them some protection against unwelcome guests in the night.
“Don’t think we’ll have a problem here,” he says with a grin as he stands. “But don’t sell yourself short. You can take care of yourself, seen it with my own two eyes. You already forget how we met?”
He moves to the edges of the clearing, gathering firewood and bits of dry kindling.
“And you’re in luck with the waterfall. It’s not that close, but you should run into something like that about twenty minutes north of here.” He gives no explanation for how he knows that as he starts to put his pile together in something resembling a proper campfire.
no subject
"You sound confident. But, I should take that as you'll be keeping me safe," Sen says looking over with a small smile and a tease of his own. But, still, he does nod to Jesse's point. "Yes well, I couldn't just leave you to them. Who knows what they might've done. But, I suppose you're right I am very capable," Sen says jokingly as he pours a one of their waterskins into the pot.
However, he is momentarily paused when Jesse says that. He looks to them curiously, blinking slowly. "Wait...how do you know that? Are you sure?" Because that would be some lucky guessing on his part. Still, he shakes his head. "It wouldn't be a good idea to split up though. Twenty minutes there, the time spent washing and then twenty minutes back? Who knows what could happen. No, I can go in the morning if that's the case after we pack up."
no subject
“You’re more capable than you know,” he insists, picking up a stick to nudge the fire with as it crackles almost merrily in the dying light. He never has that problem where it just won’t catch, or it flickers and begins to die down before its time. No, Jesse’s fires burn bright and strong long as he needs them to.
“And the waterfall? Call it a hunch.”
How long will Sen take these half-answers, he wonders? This little dance around the truth? He watches his companion, firelight shining in his eyes as he considers the answer to that.
“Quick detour sounds best, and worth the time. Got to enjoy the little things when you’re on the road this long. And from what you’ve told me, you’ll be on a road a while longer yet.” It’s often that way with quests and the like. They’re rarely ever short and sweet.
no subject
There's a moment he purses his lips as he glances to Jesse, eyeing them curiously. He always did have a lot of hunches, lot of them right most of them too. Call it good luck or intuition but no...usually there's more to it. He hadn't bothered to pry though because what would be the point? If Jesse had meant any real harm he could've just killed him in his sleep right now and taken the map.
But, thoughts like that didn't even find purchase in his mind because he had trusted the man. He does sigh though because something was there. He just wasn't sure what. Either way, he sidles up beside Jesse now, his arms wrapping around Jesse's arm as he leans his head on their shoulder. Tired. That's just how he felt right now and well, aside from the fire Jesse had a comforting warmth he wanted to be close to right now.
"It doesn't feel like it is going to end any time soon. You hear about these kinds of things in stories but you never expect you'd need to go on one," Sen reflects as his eyes gaze into the fire. "It makes me tired sometimes...the long roads, the endless wandering. Sometimes I just want to get to the destination and be done with it," he says softly. But, it's then he squeezes Jesse's arm slightly as he shifts to keep his head on their shoulder, "One of the worthwhile things about it though is to have you here."
no subject
“I was lucky meeting you when I did, and not just because of the bandits. I’m having a grand ol’ time tagging along, but I also don’t have what you’ve got on the line.”
He smiles down at his companion, then turns his attention back to the fire. He can feel it within him, a physical extension of his power—not unlike how Sen feels, with that bit of power taking root inside of him.
“A journey is a lot like a forge,” he muses. “The person you are when you set out isn’t the person who shows up at the end of it. You get sharpened along the way. Made into something new, something stronger. Ever heard of a trial by fire?”
Alright, maybe he’s going overboard with the fire analogies. He settles his weight against Sen and judges another bit of wood with his stick.
“Point being, this is all part of the process of you getting ready for that destination. I’ve seen it all before, and I see it in you too.”
no subject
He at least doesn't give into it or tries hard not to, but having soft reflections on these thoughts does seem to bring them to the surface. Still. The words Jesse gives him are comforting enough and he does nod slowly. "You have a point. It wouldn't have the same meaning if I didn't have to test my mettle in these fires," he answers. Regardless, he finally cranes his head up to smile up at Jesse.
"Who knew you could wax poetic like that. I'm impressed, you should write this down, sell a book when this is over," Sen jokes as he continues to sit beside Jesse, with arms still wrapped around the other man's. A small pause before he says, "I see it in you too, you know. When we started out and where we are now...you're not the same person you were before then. Not in a bad way...just, you've changed."
Another soft hum as Sen just nestles his head more into the man's shoulder, close to the crook of Jesse's neck as he looks at the fire. "Even if I still need to pass through fire...I wouldn't have gotten through this without you."
no subject
“Changed how?”
It could be any number of things. Having someone rely on him is a rare thing, for one, and it’s been an age since he was this caught up in a mortal life. Is it changing him, or is he merely returning to old habits?
“Either way, got to say it’s been an honor being along for the ride with you.”
/walks in a year late with starbucks
His face becomes pensive, as he shuts his eyes, keeping his head on Cole's shoulder. "Kinder. Sure, you pretend you aren't sometimes but I can tell. There's a look in your eye now when you want to help others. You say it's for a change of pace, Cole, but I think you genuinely want to help others now.
Sure, you find it fun but...there's definitely some satisfaction you get from it," Sen answers softly. He does smile though at the man's words, "Careful, Cole or you may just steal my heart away if you keep saying such things to me."