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Entry tags:
October & November 2023 Test Drive Meme
October - November 2023 TDM
Introduction
Welcome to Folkmore's bimonthly Test Drive Meme! Please feel free to test drive any and all characters regardless of your intent to apply or whether you have an invite or not.
All TDMs are game canon and work like "mini-events". For new players and characters, you can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Current players are also allowed to have in-game characters post to the TDM so long as they mark their top levels ‘Current Character.’
TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.
Playing and interacting with the TDMs will allow characters to immediately obtain canon items from homes especially weapons or other things they may have had on their person when they were pulled from their worlds! There will always be a prompt that provides some sort of "reward" to characters who complete certain tasks.
🦊 New Star Children meet the Fox still in their worlds, and she brings them into the new realm of Folkmore. As you follow her, your body begins to change and new characteristics emerge. These may stay for a while, or perhaps they will hide away after. And during all of this, the Fox explains to you where you will be going: to Folkmore.
and then... you fall like a shooting star, falling to the land in a burst of starlight.
🦊 Experienced Star Children are already familiar with this time of the month. There are shooting stars all across the sky, and some fall to the land, which means the Fox has brought new arrivals. These newly arrived Star Children will face some tests, but Thirteen wants the more seasoned residents to participate as well.
Perhaps you follow the falling stars on your own, or perhaps the Fox simply teleports you there, but it appears you too will be part of this.
Content Warnings: Potential nonconsensual physical changes
Tides doesn’t have a farmer’s market. However, it does have a regular artists’ fair. Spirits—and Star Children—can set up stalls to offer art they have already made or to make it right before people. On the spot commissions! It’s a great way to see a wide spread of the art available in Tides, on rare occasions even Jewelia’s own.
Within the artists’ fair is a makers’ square where everyone is invited to join an artist in learning to make some kind of art. It might be painting and wine. Lithography. Embroidery. You name it. Seriously, feel free to put a suggestion in the box of what Star Children would be interested in. The artists leading the space don’t all teach at Jewelia Academy. This could be the only chance to learn from them!
This time it’s making salt water taffy. Spirit Children can learn how to complete the process from start to finish with a bit of an arm workout. If they aren’t interested in or cannot handle the arm workout pulling the taffy, they can help a spirit wherever they’re interested. There is any flavor Spirit Children can imagine to flavor their taffy, even ones only found in their home worlds. Share a little culture!
Star Children may keep up to half of the taffy they make, but the rest will be offered to everyone coming through the makers’ square in the artists’ fair. Perhaps it’ll encourage other Star Children to make their own! Star Children, whether they make taffy or simply take free samples, will find that eating taffy can have an effect on them.
Eating taffy made by Legends will give Star Children color changing eyes that give away their mood, just like Legends. Eating taffy made by Myths will give Star Children horns, claws, or a tail that grows larger when they react more logically and less emotionally. Eating taffy made by Familiars will give Star Children animal features. These effects last from one-six hours.
Eating taffy made by Spirits has no effect at all!
Tides doesn’t have a farmer’s market. However, it does have a regular artists’ fair. Spirits—and Star Children—can set up stalls to offer art they have already made or to make it right before people. On the spot commissions! It’s a great way to see a wide spread of the art available in Tides, on rare occasions even Jewelia’s own.
Within the artists’ fair is a makers’ square where everyone is invited to join an artist in learning to make some kind of art. It might be painting and wine. Lithography. Embroidery. You name it. Seriously, feel free to put a suggestion in the box of what Star Children would be interested in. The artists leading the space don’t all teach at Jewelia Academy. This could be the only chance to learn from them!
This time it’s making salt water taffy. Spirit Children can learn how to complete the process from start to finish with a bit of an arm workout. If they aren’t interested in or cannot handle the arm workout pulling the taffy, they can help a spirit wherever they’re interested. There is any flavor Spirit Children can imagine to flavor their taffy, even ones only found in their home worlds. Share a little culture!
Star Children may keep up to half of the taffy they make, but the rest will be offered to everyone coming through the makers’ square in the artists’ fair. Perhaps it’ll encourage other Star Children to make their own! Star Children, whether they make taffy or simply take free samples, will find that eating taffy can have an effect on them.
Eating taffy made by Legends will give Star Children color changing eyes that give away their mood, just like Legends. Eating taffy made by Myths will give Star Children horns, claws, or a tail that grows larger when they react more logically and less emotionally. Eating taffy made by Familiars will give Star Children animal features. These effects last from one-six hours.
Eating taffy made by Spirits has no effect at all!
🦊 Star Children can attend an artists’ fair and make salt water taffy.
🦊 Eating salt water taffy made by Star Children will give temporary features of that kind of Star Child.
🦊 Eating salt water taffy made by Spirits has no effect.
🦊 Eating salt water taffy made by Star Children will give temporary features of that kind of Star Child.
🦊 Eating salt water taffy made by Spirits has no effect.
Content Warnings: Pocket universe, dungeon castle crawl, forced relocation
One of the many food carts in Tides serves homemade ice cream. The fox spirit serving it promises that it will provide a jolt of inspiration—even to Star Children who cannot eat. Even holding a cone or cup of the ice cream can jolt someone’s imagination, the fox says. It’s free as part of the welcome to Tides, but no one has to accept it, not even to hold. The fox spirit won’t cajole anyone, and Star Children can go along their way.
At least a few hours later, long enough to have forgotten the offer or to get frustrated by the lack of promised inspiration, Star Children fall down down down into a painted, sculpted, sidewalk chalked, or otherwise artistically bent world. They are as artistically made as the rest of the world around them. They match it, as do their one to three companions who arrive with them. They may be friends or strangers. They are compatriots in this strange world.
Whether starting deep in the bowels or high in a tower, this artistic world is that of a castle. A unique castle to each Star Child host. Elements of its design, decor, and mechanisms tie back to a creative endeavor of the host. For the castle is a direct manifestation of whatever project the Star Child host experiences creative block around, whether that’s art or science or anything else. It’s baked into the design. Not only that, the castle is under attack! Dragons or monsters or knights, oh my! Whatever attacks, the very creative idea may crumble if it doesn’t get solved.
Star Children who ate the ice cream will have an easier time shoring up defenses, buying time to think, and even experiencing a breakthrough moment of inspiration. Any companions who ate the ice cream will have an easier time helping the host. Regardless, the only way out is a breakthrough or to see the idea fall to uninspired ruin. Which will it be?
When a group breaks through, they return to Tides with up to four nearly identical dollhouse castles. A miniature doll of one party member will be in each dollhouse. The doll will also have a miniature version of an item from home. Take it from one’s doll, and it becomes lifesize. It may even be a magical item or weapon.
One of the many food carts in Tides serves homemade ice cream. The fox spirit serving it promises that it will provide a jolt of inspiration—even to Star Children who cannot eat. Even holding a cone or cup of the ice cream can jolt someone’s imagination, the fox says. It’s free as part of the welcome to Tides, but no one has to accept it, not even to hold. The fox spirit won’t cajole anyone, and Star Children can go along their way.
At least a few hours later, long enough to have forgotten the offer or to get frustrated by the lack of promised inspiration, Star Children fall down down down into a painted, sculpted, sidewalk chalked, or otherwise artistically bent world. They are as artistically made as the rest of the world around them. They match it, as do their one to three companions who arrive with them. They may be friends or strangers. They are compatriots in this strange world.
Whether starting deep in the bowels or high in a tower, this artistic world is that of a castle. A unique castle to each Star Child host. Elements of its design, decor, and mechanisms tie back to a creative endeavor of the host. For the castle is a direct manifestation of whatever project the Star Child host experiences creative block around, whether that’s art or science or anything else. It’s baked into the design. Not only that, the castle is under attack! Dragons or monsters or knights, oh my! Whatever attacks, the very creative idea may crumble if it doesn’t get solved.
Star Children who ate the ice cream will have an easier time shoring up defenses, buying time to think, and even experiencing a breakthrough moment of inspiration. Any companions who ate the ice cream will have an easier time helping the host. Regardless, the only way out is a breakthrough or to see the idea fall to uninspired ruin. Which will it be?
When a group breaks through, they return to Tides with up to four nearly identical dollhouse castles. A miniature doll of one party member will be in each dollhouse. The doll will also have a miniature version of an item from home. Take it from one’s doll, and it becomes lifesize. It may even be a magical item or weapon.
🦊 Star Children will be offered homemade ice cream by a fox spirit.
🦊 Star Children will be transported into an artistic world set within a castle under attack.
🦊 1-3 other Star Children will join the host.
🦊 Escape by breaking through the host’s creative block.
🦊 Star Children whose groups break through will receive a personal item from home. It may even be a magical item or weapon.
🦊 Star Children will be transported into an artistic world set within a castle under attack.
🦊 1-3 other Star Children will join the host.
🦊 Escape by breaking through the host’s creative block.
🦊 Star Children whose groups break through will receive a personal item from home. It may even be a magical item or weapon.
2 give me the taffy goblin
But, naturally, a quick trip turns into a relaxing late lunch for one, which in turn becomes into a little extra window shopping just because, the owlbear wandering the artists’ fair with a bag full of goodies already slung over their wing. It's maybe no surprise that Rue's outfit of the day is Tides inspired, a seafoam green sundress with translucent, tulle bell sleeves that shimmer into different shades in the light, a delicate silver necklace buried amongst their neck feathers.
They see him before they hear him, that imposing, furry figure facing the other direction, his arms held out to the side and already coated in gooey taffy. The familiarity to their husband brings the gentlest of flutters to their chest, but for a moment, Rue only stands some feet away giggling into their paw at the sight ahead of them. Some poor fool has made the mistake of a lifetime. Fur is much less delicate than feathers, but much more dense. Whoever he is, he'll be working taffy out of his fur for weeks.
But then the tall, fuzzy stranger speaks and the giggle dies immediately on Rue's beak.
It is a just a few minutes later, whenever Rue is able to breath properly again, that the owlbear approaches where Hob is left standing, sticky and useless and smelling like fruity candy.]
Excuse me, sir? I believe I've found some of your fur in my taffy...
TAFFY GOBLIN,
At least he doesn't seem too fazed by being covered in goo by his own doing. In the most innocent of senses.
Their voice suddenly cuts through the noise of the candy maker and passing patrons, making Hob's ears twitch sharply before he spins around to face them. A comically bewildered look flashes over his face for a moment, before it splits into a huge grin.]
Rue! My word, you're here! You're really here! [Having never had a single thought in his entire life, Hob's arms extend to their fullest capacity—
and pull his spouse into a very tight, very sticky embrace.] Oh, beloved, I cannot begin to muster the words to describe my relief.
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Rue does not even flinch at the embrace, not even a twitch as the taffy globs onto their fine dress and delicate feathers, and it squelches between their bodies before they are throwing their wings around Hob's neck and giggling against him. Truly, there is no one else Rue would let this stand with, but it has now been months since they've been apart for them, after he disappeared leaving only a letter behind.
So they'll take a little taffy disaster if it means finally having their husband back.]
Knickolas! [They laugh, paws seeking out his furry face so that Rue can peer down adoringly at him.] Look at you, love. What a mess you've made of yourself! I hardly recognized you at first.
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Then he'd been here. Or, at least, this part of him. Without much of a clue, and without Rue.
But thankfully not for long. He beams up at them, barely noticing the squish and stick of cooling taffy he's leaving behind all over their dress and feathers. He's just so happy to know he's not stranded here without them!]
Ah, yes. It appears my career as a confectioner has ended before it got off the ground. [He can't help the big doofy grin on his face.] The search for a non-military career continues onward.
Did you only just arrive as well, my love? The mechanisms of this place still confuse me, I must confess.
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Do not worry, darling. There are a million other careers to try and most are not nearly so prone to stickiness. We shall find you something more appropriate to try next. Perhaps cobbling or agriculture or balloon animal making? You know that I support whatever path you eventually decide to take, as long as it does not take you from my side.
[No long distance truck driving, for instance. But anything local is fair game.]
Not quite, dear. I've been here in this realm for about three months so far. And before that was half a year or so in Massachusetts. [Their gaze is a little intense there, searching his face for even a flicker or recognition.] You do remember Massachusetts, don't you?
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Any of those sound perfect, my dear, if only for their proximity to you. That is all I want for any future profession. To be at your side, your beck and call, for as long as there is breath in me.
[The bugbear makes a funny face then—funnier than normal, anyway—trying to puzzle through the sounds they make.] Mass-uh-choo-set? I am afraid it rings no bells. When did we travel to such a place?
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Though even as thrilled and joyful as they are in this reunion, there is no world in which the owlbear's feathery brow doesn't pinch just so. They had already suspected that this was not quite the same Hob they knew back in ADI, but this is all the confirmation they needed.
What does that mean for them then? A Hob who is not truly their husband? Who is missing memories that they still hold onto? Missed experiences and lessons that they have grown together through? And yet, it is still Hob, the man they have been waiting the whole of their life for, who clearly still loves them just as dearly. Maybe even without those memories, they can still find all of their happiness here together.]
Oh, my love. Then I have much news to tell you of. Come. [Untangling themself from his embrace is much more difficult when there is a sticky component involved, but Rue moves to take his paw in theirs and seek out a slightly less busy space.]
It was rather immediately proposal. I accepted, of course, and then you denounced your court and kin so that we could run away and start our new life together. It was right after that moment. I can not say how or why, but we were taken to the great land of Gloucester within Massachusetts.
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But the initial panic and swell of apologies that were sure to erupt from him are both soothed by Rue's hand taking his own, the serious look on their beautiful face telling him it would be best to stay quiet and listen.
So he does, diligently following them and letting them speak. While he knows nothing of this strange Glåster Massuhchoosets place, the proposal and renouncement of his court are of course achingly familiar.]
I do not remember being taken to such a place. As I recall it, we settled down in a home of our own making within the Feywilds. It is from there I was taken to this place... [Hob seeks their gaze, holding it steadfastly.] Tell me everything, my beloved.
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The description of where he'd just come from does bring the owlbear a brief pause, their eyes lighting up in joyful wonder, a momentarily reprieve from the seriousness of their expression.]
We did? We found a home? I - Oh, darling, I want to hear all about it. [Is it strange that it soothes them that there are now lost memories on both sides? It is not simply Rue holding the whole of their relationship in their soft paws now, but the both of them in equal measure. A Hob who has not only journeyed across the land with Rue to escape their courts, but also settled down somewhere permanently is not a man who knows nothing of them. He knows them, truly, maybe just as well as Rue knows him back.]
Please, later I must hear every single piece. Every happiness, every worry, every lovely piece of clothing I have sewn for you.
[Later though. This needs to be said now. Rue has been holding it in for months now.]
This is an occurrence that is not uncommon in parts like this. Just as simply as someone is brought into a world like this, sometimes people are sent away back home as well. And then, for whatever reason, the same person is brought back, just without their memories. I have seen it done a few times at this point, I fear it must be what has happened to you.
I will do my best to be brief. The other world we were sent to was a waking nightmare of terrors and tests. But you and I thrived simply in getting to be together and learn more of one another. Some months ago, we wed, and it remains the happiest day of my life. But then something drew you away from me and I never saw you again. Months after, I arrived here, still without you, but hopeful you'd return to me.
[They reach up to cup the man's cheek, unable to help the swell of love that threatens to overwhelm their emotions.]
And darling, I am so very joyous you did.
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[He chuckles softly, a very quiet sound between them. It's funny—as soon as Rue came along, all the noise and sensory distractions from the artist's fair around him completely melted away, leaving only the two of them, wrapped up together in a space of their own making.
They tell him about the confusing mechanisms of this world and others, of what happened to them in Glåster, of the wedding—the wedding—and his vanishing and how they were spirited away to another strange new place, all in the span of a few months. Thinking about it makes his head spin. They really experienced all this, while Hob was off in the Feywilds with his Rue—or Rue from another time, or some other version of Rue—engrossed in the domestic bliss of freedom.
It doesn't make any sense.
Then again, matters of the heart rarely do. Add to that the confusion of existing across strange unfamiliar planes, no wonder Hob feels lost right now.
But he listens nonetheless, and he believes them. He clenches their hand in his, cradling it close to his heart as their hand finds his face. No matter what either of them have gone through, they'll always come back to each other and love each other just the same. Such are the confusing matters of the heart.]
While I cannot recall nor imagine ever wanting or needing to leave your side for any reason, my beloved, I so deeply regret the hurt this has caused you. Imagining myself in your stead, suddenly finding myself without you... e-especially after we were wed... oh Rue, I am loathe to even picture it.
Whatever my reasons, my intentions upon leaving, I am as elated as you to be back at your side.
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With a shuddering sigh, Rue closes that last remaining touch of distance between them to push into the man's broad, furry chest, pressing their head to his strong shoulder, just needing to be close and in his arms. It will take a little time to fully shake off the damage that has been done, but Rue is more than willing to put in the work to give them both the very best life together possible. Hob has always been worth it. Being able to love him and be loved by him in return is a gift Rue will never take for granted.
Though now that it is all said and spread out between them, Rue wonders if they will have to remarry this man all over again. How strange, to be married to someone who may not exactly be married to you? Huh.]
Thank you, darling, but hush. You will not take ownership over something you did not do. I will not put that upon you. It is in the past, we need not linger on such unhappiness, not when I am so blissfully reunited with you.
[They pull back, just enough so that they can peer up at the bugbear and flutter their lashes.]
I have so much to tell you of this place, of the connections I have made here, of the home I have waiting for you - but first, I will be most cross with you, Knickolas, if you do not kiss me right here and now.
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That is all Hob will ever need.
So even though they quietly plead with him not to apologize, insist in quiet tones into his shoulder that they would demand nothing of the sort from him, Hob still vows to himself that he will atone. He embraces them, feeling his heart pound against their breast, and he makes the same silent pledge to himself he'd made at the end of the very last Bloom. They will never be made to feel alone again. Certainly not at his hand.]
My beloved, you have pushed nothing upon me but the force of your breathtaking love, which I would surely perish to be without. [A wet chuckle, his hand–or rather, the very edge of his palm that's not coated in taffy–tenderly stroking across their radiant face.] Naturally, I wish to have no quarrel with you. As you order, I shall obey.
[Kissing them always feels like coming home. Even though he'd kissed them not an hour before this, seeing them off to bed, Hob still feels his heart soar at the very first touch of their beak. He could stay like this forever, breathing them in, no matter what the world looks like when they emerge from within each other. As long as he's kissing them, he is where he belongs.]
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For Rue, it has been months since they last saw Hob, much less kissed him, and even though they can not shake the lingering feeling of hurt that twists in their belly, to be kissed so deeply like this still feels like coming home. Like this is the very thing they have been missing from their life these past few months, like their very heart has returned to them at last.
They allow the kiss to continue far longer than fey propriety would ever dictate, before finally breaking away simply to breathe, a happy laugh already at their beak.]
The strength behind your loving words, the gentle way you have always held me - Oh darling, it still takes my breath away, every single time.
[As do his kisses, but Rue is not about to wax poetic about that in public.]
Tell me, my heart, how are you feeling? Well enough to travel back up to the surface with me? I confess, I did not prepare to stay very long down here in Tides, so I brought no other changes of clothing.
[They pull away just enough to show off their taffy-splotched dress to the bugbear, chuckling softly when they attempt to wipe a single paw off and it only spreads the mess further.]
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Oh, I— why yes, certainly. I was unaware there was a surface-portion to this realm. So it is not all entirely underwater?
[Fascinating! The marvels of technology! Of course, Hob would very much prefer being on solid ground over being encased in a glass dome of dubious structural integrity.
He would also very much prefer getting Rue out of that dress. Pronto. Both to save the delicate fabric from more streaks of salt water taffy—he flushes red with embarrassment as they spread it around—and to get it out of his way.]
Please, my love, if you would not terribly mind. I would love to see the home you have made for yourself here.
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[Not that Rue could not adjust to life in the city easily enough - they have done it before - but there is just something about that cottagecore fantasy that reminds the owlbear of the very best parts of the Feywild, something so quiet and private and loving swarmed with nature.
Now that they are untangled from one another, Rue a moment to make themself as presentable as possible - that taffy is just not going anywhere - before they are scooping up their bags in one paw and taking Hob's in their other.]
It is quite a trip to return home, but you can regale me with tales of our other life. Truly, we have made it away from both of our former courts unscathed?
[They can talk and walk, the owlbear gently squeezing their husband's paw in their own, sending him adoring looks every few moments.]
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[Hob wonders how vast this land must be, if Tides can be so populated and yet is seemingly mostly treated as a shopping destination by its inhabitants. Not to mention if people like Rue and himself are brought in from all over, worlds beyond worlds... Folkmore must be enormous.
Rue doesn't even let him carry their shopping for him, taking his hand decisively before he has time to protest. Truly, this is Rue as he knows them. Even without having been to Massuhchoosets, Hob is relieved to imagine that the important parts are still the same.
Their unwavering love for each other.]
Yes, in true fact, we both have. [Hob returns their adoring looks, the sideways smiles they shoot him as they walk out of the city, hands still clasped. He squeezes their fingers.] There was a time of tense negotiations, I will admit, but once it became clear no war would break out, our terms were met. Your terms. You did most of the talking. [A soft chuckle.]
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But, there are more factors to it now. Not today, not tomorrow, not even a week or two out, but eventually, Rue will have to sit this man down and have a very frank conversation about where they should make their forever home. A year away and so much has changed, but the owlbear will not hesitate to tell Hob that the only thing that remains unchanged is their love of him and how dearly they want him to remain at their side.]
I can picture that all too clearly. I do have a talent for talking until my point has been made. [Or rather, until whoever they are arguing with changes their mind. Same thing.] How ever do you put up with me?
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[—is the safe answer he's learned to give. For as long as he can remember, Hob's clumsy way of wording things has often resulted in misunderstandings. It tends to take a good long while of knowing someone before he learns their patterns, before he understands them enough to say the correct things, behave in the correct manner, to keep the peace.
But not with Rue. Certainly, upon their first meeting, their communications were fraught with misapprehensions. But Rue has since taken it upon themself to gently, patiently teach him, to walk him through conversations and learn the unspoken cues people tend to use, so he won't be left with his foot in his mouth quite so often.
And thank the spirits they did. It has made for very harmonious spousal cohabitation.]
Were it not for your considerable talents, we would neither have settled in peace as easily as we did, nor indeed have found our way back to each other that fateful Bloom. Certainly not by my doing. No, of all your talents, beloved, your tongue is by far the greatest. [hehehhe,]
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And yet I can think of one tongue that may be far greater.
[It seems as if their training of him has been very successful indeed!
But Rue is just going to politely ignore the delightful flush at their cheeks to continue guiding the man towards the direction of the submarine, maybe purposely directing the conversation away from such indecorous, very public flirting. Just until they are home. Then all bets are off.]
But my love, I must know one thing more - back home, have we wed?
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[They're right.
Naturally, propriety prevails yet again, and Hob resigns himself to waiting until they are finally alone and free of sticky taffy to resume this thread. He has a much bigger question to occupy his time with anyway.]
We were planning to be. That is to say, you were planning the event itself, although you permitted my help with a handful of simple tasks. [It had seemed only natural, letting Rue take the lead and spread their wings, so to speak, with planning the most important event of their lives.] You were constructing one of the dresses you would wear for the occasion.
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It's quite strange to think that I am wed and you are not, isn't it? That the vows that we spoke linger on only within myself. [If Rue keeps thinking about it too long, they might get a nosebleed. It's very confusing.] To speak truly, I had become so very used to referring to you as my husband.
[And the look they shoot him this time is just a touch more coy, peeking out from beneath heavy lashes.]
I suppose we shall just have to make it official again, my darling. And soon.
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Hob supposes they will have to see if this divergence has affected their compatibility in any meaningful way. Given just the time he's spent with them in Tides so far, he cannot say it has.]
You will have to remind me of these vows. I shall hardly want to be outshined by my former self. [His cheeks turn hot and red under all that fur, not entirely unaffected by Rue's coy, tempting gaze.] If you would not terribly mind being wed to me once more, beloved, then I enthusiastically accept.
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Almost immediately, Rue's paw is pressing right to Hob's cheek tenderly, their whole body close enough that the taffy is just making an even bigger, stickier mess than before.]
I can hardly imagine you being outshined by anyone, even yourself. You are, as always, the most eloquent, breathtakingly handsome, unselfish, honorable fey I have ever known. And my Knickolas, I would be so very overjoyed to marry you again.
[And that deserves a kiss, shorter though no less full of passion, before Rue is untangling themself from him and dragging him back on the path, but not before a very casually added in,]
- By the way, I've taken a few children under my wing while you've been gone. I can not wait for you to meet them.