the_last_resort | The Market Post

Entry tags:

The Market Post

Who: Merchants and You
What: Open Market
When: M12 D14
Where: The Market
Notes & Warnings: Warnings will be in individual thread starters as players see fit. Here is the market OOC post.

The weather is starting to warm from the dead of winter, but it's still cool out. The morning in the market is foggy, too, so the warmer food is still getting a lot of attention. Soups and hot teas and cocoa (refined from the beans gathered in the planet's jungles).

After the recent efforts to clean up the town and the brief increased access to other universes, vendors there are a lot of vegetables brought in from that, too. This has been the first time in a long time there has been such a variety so take advantage of the displays. There are also people that have been trying out the potion samples here and there, doing things like attempting to set themselves on fire or inhale water. Luckily 99% of them are stopping when they're warned when their timer is running out.

There is the odd idiot that doesn't know how to hold his magic. Injuries won't be grave when they do happen, just incredibly stupid.

If anyone who helped investigate swamps wants to talk to travel agents about potential trips home, this is the chance to do it. Remember that you can also take visitors with you when the time comes around.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh. Yeah.

[He frowns, glancing back in the direction Niko gestured towards.]

Didn't sink on purpose. Got back fine, too.

[He wouldn't say it was easy, but he's standing here now. He didn't die out there. He sure as hell doesn't intend to go back either, not unless he really needs to.]

I would hope you didn't do it on purpose. [He's speaking out of more distress than he usually would. That's pretty evident in the way that his voice pitches up some, a touch higher since he's worried about a thing that's already happened.]

You are my closest friend. You're the most important thing I have here.

I don't want to have to deliver that kind of news back to your home.

[He kind of expected Niko to be worried about it if he knew, which was why he never told him about the sinking before. He probably should have known he'd find out, though. After all, the whole ordeal was filmed.]

Well... you don't have to. I'm not dead.

[He's speaking softly, trying to reassure Niko.]

[There's a perplexing series of thoughts that go through his head. First, if Boone had died, would he have known how much his friendship had meant to him? And then he wonders if he knows how much his friendship meant. Because he usually didn't keep so close company even with the ones he cared a lot for.]

[He's confused, then. Because he really cares, more than he expected, and the internal confusion and irritation at himself show on his face more clearly than the reassurance that Boone is alright that is also there.]

I like you.

[He says it like a rebuttal. An accusation. An argument. He doesn't get it. He likes him more than normal. That's the problem. And he walks off to look at things with that stare of frustration still fixed on his face.]

[Boone just blinks at the response, because it seems so out of the blue. And when Niko walks off, it takes him a moment to follow.]

Already said I didn't mean to do it.

[He's assuming Niko's irritation is aimed at him, for nearly dying and then not telling him about it. He's also assuming his statement just means "you're my friend and you nearly died".]

That's not my problem.

[And as he gets toward the far side of the market, he grabs Boone's lapel like he wants to tug him off somewhere to talk. Maybe that's what he's intending. Maybe thats what he wants when he pulls him around to the side of a shop, the most private place he can find right then.]

[But instead of speaking he ends up hugging him hard, enough to pull him up so that he would have to stand on the balls of his feet, and he jams his face against his neck.]

I really like you. [Muffled by the fabric.]

[It's an awkward position, not just because of Niko's words but because he's tall enough that he has to stand on his toes. He doesn't know what to say, but he does sort of return the hug a little. He's known Niko for a while now, long enough to figure this isn't easy for him to admit. He feels bad about it, like somehow it's his fault. Worse still, he knows he likes Niko a little more than he should, too. He's the first person to really get him since Carla died. He feels comfortable around him. He's told Niko things that only Elle knew about before. He doesn't want to lose him, though.]

Not a good place to be in.

[Not after what happened to Carla. Sure, Niko has survived a lot of shit, but that doesn't mean he'd be safe. It's a tricky situation, even without considering how confused they both are over this. Boone still can't figure out if he just thinks Niko is a really good friend, or if it's more than that.]

No.

[It's not. It's not because it's not the sort of thing he imagined for himself, or let himself think about. It's not because they're both recipes for doom and disaster. It's not because he might have done this to Boone- befriending him even if he has alliances elsewhere that might not take it well.]

[He relaxes his hug some, pressing his cheek against Boone's briefly. Then he lifts his hands up to the sides of his face, furrows his brow and leans their heads together. His nose feels too big again. It's tipping Boone's shorter one. One hand slides to the back of Boone's head, and the other against his neck.]

Tell me what it is that you want me to. [His breath is shuddery and nervous.] Fuck off. Forget all of this. Kiss you. I need you to tell me.

[He tenses up a little, the way he usually does when he doesn't know how to feel about close contact. He's not pushing him away which says something in itself, but he doesn't know how to reply to Niko's question. After a few long moments of struggling for words, he comes up with absolutely nothing and instead just sort of touches the hand at his neck.]

I dunno.

[It's said quietly, even for him. And though he does start to relax a little again, he's still not sure what he wants. He doesn't think he wants Niko to pull away, but he should be telling him to forget it.]

What happened to Carla...

[It could happen to Niko, too. He holds onto Niko's hand a little more at that, hating the idea of watching him die, too.]

I know.

[And Niko relaxes some, too. Because he understands, and has always understood. Because he felt Kate alive in his arms one moment, and then she was limp and gone another. Because all he's done is fail at protecting people, despite promises otherwise.]

[He nudges Boone's nose again, though. Expecting him to say to forget it, which, for some reason, makes him want to try and enjoy the moment more. He wants to savor it and commit it to memory, and that way when Boone tells him that whatever happened was a fluke he can accept it.]

[It wouldn't be the first time someone he liked didn't want him back, after all. It's just the first time it's been a man.]

[Then it occurs to him that he didn't answer immediately. That he squeezed his hand. He set himself up for failure so sternly that it is only long moments after the fact that he realizes.] And if you were not afraid for me?

[Boone frowns to himself at Niko's question. If he didn't have to be afraid for him? He's not sure. He's spent a long time being afraid for the people he cares about. He doesn't know if that's the only thing holding him back. He knows Carla would have wanted him to move on, but Boone isn't good at that. He's held his grudge against the Legion and mourned Carla every day, and dreamt of his mistakes every night. He's convinced himself that he doesn't deserve to be happy, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to be.]

Might've been an easier choice.

[He sort of tips his head up a little to nudge Niko's nose himself, a tiny gesture that sort of hints toward what his answer might have been. If he didn't have to worry about what might happen to Niko... the answer still might have been complicated, but maybe not quite as much. Boone has always believed that people should be with whoever makes them happy, and his best friend had preferred men over women. It's still kind of weird to be in that position himself, though. He's never looked at a man that way before. Whatever feelings he has, if that's really what's going on here, they're entirely based on the close bond they've built up over the better part of a year.]

[Niko watches Boone, wondering if that choice is already made. It sounds like it. But then he nudges his nose, and once again he doesn't know.]

[So he tips his head, leans in to press their lips together, and he feels as though his face is on fire.]

[The hair on the back of his neck tingles and his stomach flips and his chest tightens, and he suspects this is what getting to kiss Kate would have been like (just with a gentler jawline to hold). He makes a noise against Boone's mouth he doesn't expect, one of surprise, because even if he wanted it he didn't expect it to feel like that.]

[Boone's experience is a little different, in that he still feels unsure even with Niko's lips on his. He doesn't think it's a bad experience, though. Maybe it would have been better if he could worry less all the bad things that might happen. He touches Niko's cheek briefly, and though he does break the kiss in the end he'd let it linger for a little while first. His face is slightly red, and he looks like he doesn't know what to say. Really, he doesn't. He doesn't know if it's a bad thing, but he thinks he liked it. Things would have been so much easier if he hadn't.]

[Niko lowers his hands when it's broken, but the more loosen and drop off than letting go properly. Because he's pretty sure that, when Boone pulls away, his decision is made. And he feels a little like an idiot but his face is still red and his heart is pounding.]

[Well, no one can say he didn't do his best.] Maybe it is something to decide later.

I ah... [he stammers, then just gestures off in the direction of the farms] ...before I... [saw the picture of them about to die out in the swamp] ...I was going to ask if you would want to come out and meet my riding animal. Riding it is kind of funny. I thought it might make you laugh.

[He likes to see him laugh.]

[See, he can do normal. They can forget this if Boone wants to.]

[He broke the kiss, but he's still looking at Niko differently. Like he's seeing something he couldn't before. And he hasn't quite let go of Niko yet, his hand resting on his shoulder. He only really decides to step back when Niko changes the subject.]

Yeah. Maybe... not out here.

[It's all very personal, and he doesn't like to flaunt his personal life for all to see. If they're going to talk about this, they need to be doing it somewhere they won't be disturbed. It's pretty obvious that it does need to be discussed at some point.]

Okay. Where is it?

It's here. [He pulls out his comm and shows Boone his newly acquired map, turning the image so he can point from where they are to there.]

[It's something, at least. He's not upset- yet, anyway. That's all he wants. Maybe they can deal with it, either way. This could be a mistake, but not talking about it might be a bigger one.]

[At least he talked about the important part.]

I think I'm done with ah- [he gestures at the market] -so I will see you there?

[Boone looks at the map, and nods.]

Okay. Lemme take this thing back home.

[He gestures with his thumb at the super sledge slung over his back.]

Maybe I can show you what I got, too.

[Niko would probably find it hilarious. It would be a good distraction from what just happened, at least.]

Okay.

[He hopes it does. He still feels a little stupid, and after getting side-tracked by a conversation he actually shows up a few minutes later than he hoped. For all that he's trying to be casual about this now, for all he's trying to pretend that he didn't just make a fool of himself, he's still looking for Boone as if being a little late and the possibility that Boone might have left already might mean he'd committed a grievous error.]

[Considering what did just happen, though, and the conclusions they could draw, it's possible.]

[Boone figured Niko would show up at some point, because he'd have no reason to lead him out here to stand on his own for a while. He doesn't mind that he's a little late. In fact, he's kind of relieved. He knows that when Niko does show up, they'll have to deal with even more awkwardness. When Niko finds him, he's halfway through a cigarette. He figured he'd need one to calm his nerves a little. When he sees him, he greets him with the usual nod, but it's obvious he's still a little confused about what happened earlier.]

Hey.

Hey.

[Again, short introduction, but he moves on quick. He's looking happier to see him, though, glad he didn't just leave.]

Over here.

[And he goes to a yellow stall with a yellow long necked bird thing. It turns its head to look at Boone accusingly. It's not saddled or anything right now, so it just looks like a big funny looking oversized fowl.]

This is mine.

[Boone looks up at it, arching an eyebrow.]

You can ride that?

[It looks like it could be pretty awkward to stay on top of. At least Boone got something with four legs... though he's still having trouble staying on it himself.]

Possibly. I have not had much luck yet.

[The big bird opens its beak and touches Niko's head with its tongue. He holds perfectly still, unsure of what's happening, until it starts attempting to preen too short hair.]

[His expression doesn't change much, though.]

[Boone just sort of stares at it.]

Huh. Guess it likes you.

[Maybe it won't object too much to being ridden if it likes him. Boone wishes his own animal liked him a little better. Maybe then it would stop spitting at him.]

Yes. It is very awkward. Okay, big guy. You ah... can go back to preening.

[He steps away, and the animal jams it's head very close to Boone and tilts its head, like it's trying to get a better few of his glasses.]

[He steps back when the bird leans in, one hand touching his beret as if he's afraid of it being plucked from his head.]

Doesn't look as ridiculous as what I'm riding, at least.

[Strange, but... not ridiculous.]

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