[ Molly takes a moment to properly coo over ad's outfit while the firbolg looks politely confused and, then it's off! He grins at Fjord when he tells them the last tips and information before stealing another smooch and then grabbing Yasha's hand. He pulls her with him and they run out on the field with Molly waving for a moment before he actually seems to collect himself. Somehow.
An hour or so later, two weary travelers enter the inn, and a lot of people turn to stare at the massive woman and her colorful companion.
The game was on, and Molly was living all his theater kid dreams. ]
[ Fjord watches Molly go like a leaf in the wind, waving like he's already forgotten he's not supposed to know them. Fuck it, Fjord thinks, and blows him one last kiss. Breakfast is a lengthy affair as numerous folk roll into the main dining tent to get their bacon and eggs with ale or roast yams and juice, with Fjord and Caduceus happy to unofficially wait for their friends to turn up as they chat with other characters they know. One person dressed as a half-dragonborn keeps cooing over the new brooch that Caduceus gave Fjord last game, green ribbons twirling in her fingers as she scoots closer.
Fjord is distracted by the dramatic entry of Molly and Yasha, tamping down on a smile as he utterly fails in not checking out his not-boyfriend while in-character. Caduceus is even less subtle, although as he waves he adds, I like the flowers in your hair, miss!
That's one way to kick off an introduction. Fjord is too entrenched in keeping his cool to do much beyond ogle, yet. ]
[ Molly has his hands full of pamphlets and flits here and there between people to distribute them, Yasha at his back while looking stern any time someone refuses a pamphlet or plays 'annoyed' with Molly.
The tiefling is wearing the most amazing and terrible coat, in all kinds of colors and full of embroidery, and it's impossible not to look at him. He chats and socializes while the aasimar just seems a little confused, but she plays along all the way to where the holy bros sit, and Molly slides in beside Fjord. ]
Well, never have I seen two people in such need of entertainment!
[ He wiggles a pamphlet under Fjord's nose. It has 'Moon and Lightning's Carnival of Colors' written on the front. ]
Taliesin, Tal to my friends, and we're friends now, aren't we?
[ Tal is a hit with the drama-loving larp crowd and soon it's not just Fjord and Caduceus (Travis and Jaffe!) getting to know him. The pamphlet is so cool that Fjord pockets it in his armour, keen to keep a memento of Molly's first foray, although he does his best to stay aloof and critical of Tal while Jaffe eagerly asks about the carnival. That means a lot of other characters start flirting with Molly and Fjord can't intervene, but that's just IC life. He bites the inside of his cheek when a fancy guy going by Gilmore starts flattering Tal's outfit.
Thankfully, one of the crew dressed as a messenger boy runs in and announces there's an army of monsters that will arrive at the town close to noon, which splits the crowd into those keen to fight and others who need to locate potions, or set up healing stations. Travis invites Tal to join him and Jaffe in a search for potions at the shops before they run out. ]
[ Molly is really enjoying talking to people, even if remaining IC is a little difficult at times. He flirts, hands out more pamphlets and ends up talking to this Gilmore guy that is apparently a wizard or a sorcerer or something. The outfit is glorious, so they end up in a compliment battle while he's bought 'drinks'. It's all pretty nice, but he perks up when the messenger boy comes in to warn them.
Looking around for Yasha, he finds her talking to the half-dragon girl he briefly saw earlier, and decides to not bother her for now. After all, this handsome paladin is speaking to him! ]
I am not shy about battle, my friend. Nor could I reject such an offer. Let us go and see what we can find to help.
Let's get the good potions this time, in that case.
[ The 'good' potions have a shot of vodka in them with the Ribena, which Molly can find out on his own. Fjord leads him to the shop which is a tent with an open front, managed by a large blue firbolg who is entirely amiable when it comes to getting them a good deal. Fjord snags two greater potions. ]
This should be enough ... I hope we won't be out there as long as last time.
[ Mm, delicious blackcurrant potions. Almost makes you wish you were hurt! (Molly's pretty sure he will be, his picked class was a little unbalanced.) He peers at the potions, smiling and chatting with the vendor and then comes off with one superior potion as well. 'Jaffe' seems busy talking to a... leaf(?) so Tal joins Travis's side once more. ]
Does this happen often? We did not know these lands have unrest when we put up our tents!
[ He can't get the smile of his face, which is kind of ruining the moment, but at least Molly's definitely having fun. ]
[ He fights to keep his expression neutral, lips twitching as Molly starts spouting enough ye olde talk to make Fjord horrendously fond. ]
These are the underlings of the dragon we slew some months ago. [ Turning his attention onto the tiefling while everyone else is busy, he lets some of his acting slip and winks. ] If you're afraid, you're welcome to stand behind me.
[ Molly says excitedly, and then swears under his breath because he dropped character again. He picks back up quickly, though, because he's dedicated to this - and watching Fjord wink at him like that is cute. Like they're in cahoots together. ]
Will you protect me with your big sword, mighty knight?
He sweeps his cloak back and gets down on one knee, sword in the ground as he holds the hilt and gazes up at him. It looks very in-character, all except for the genuine softness in his eyes. ]
[ Molly was trying to joke, so this was not the reply he was expecting. Instead, it is so, so much better and the shit-eating grin turns softer at once. His red eyes watch in awe as Fjord - Travis - swears such a thing to him.
Tal shouldn't be bothered about it, but Molly feels like he's the lead actor in some period drama right here. ]
You are a truly noble man, Travis. I am grateful for your promise of protection, as I am just a simple carnie and I have never seen battle with such evils before!
[ It's amazing that he can stop himself from fake-swooning. ]
[ He really needs to let Molly know that only the weird hardcore larpers he met this morning talk like that but for now ... it's adorable. Rising, he reaches for Tal's hand to give it a chaste kiss to seal his Paladin's oath (which a couple of people witnessed in the street and appear to think is A Big Deal). ]
If we survive the night, you must tell me more about your carnival.
That hand is freely given, and Tal bows dramatically in turn, coat swooshing and his horn jewelry clinking. Under the coat can be seen the two scimitars he had been playing with this morning, so apparently he's more of a 'hidden carrier' and maybe not such an innocent carnie. ]
If we survive the night, Sir Travis, I will tell you anything you want.
[ Of course he will have to seal that with a wink, and someone on the sides laughs. ]
[ And for the rest of the day as they flit around and prepare for the 'battle', Fjord assists in showing Molly around icly with Yasha and Caduceus bringing up the rear, everyone resigned to following Molly's eye for curiosities. When the warriors are called to the field to do battle, the "invisible" crew members who act as referees and storytellers are already on the eaves, the opposite end of the meadow filled with mask-wearing monsters. Fjord tries to stick by Molly or at least keep him in his eyeline, with Caduceus keeping them covered as he slings spells over whirling blades, and their quartet brings over a crewman called Matt who has a clipboard with his notes; he instructs them and the monsters who wins each round of combat and it's fun as fuck, in Fjord's opinion, until one BBEG stomps over.
Lorenzo, the hulk calls himself, managing an eerily evil laugh as he advances on them. Fjord is annoyingly attacked by other crew at that moment and Matt deems him grappled, so he can't run to Molly's aid.
And it's suddenly kind of ... anxious, the mood shift. ]
[ It's a sight to see Molly so into all of it and flitting around, while the rest of his poor friends have to essentially rein him in now and then. Then the battle starts and the tiefling is so excited to use his new swords. There's a spray of 'blood' (too red and watery to be real) as he 'charges' them and goes in for the fight.
It's all fun and games until the hulking BBEG stomps forward, and Molly is honestly not sure if the person playing it isn't like, half-ogre or something.
Well. He advances, slipping out more fake blood as he 'curses' the bastard and starts to fight. It is clear that his class is still underbalanced, though, and he's quickly losing to Lorenzo.
One shitty strike and he slips, trying to not laugh as he falls on his back. Matt calls in a rock paper scissors to see if he manages to get away in time, and that's also a complete loss.
He gestures as covertly as he can towards the place he was stashing his Blood Hunter blood, and the 'stab' is enough to break it. Blood everywhere. It's glorious drama and Molly's so utterly pleased as he 'dies'. ]
[ He almost yells at Matt, taking a step forward before being reminded he's restrained. Where the fuck is Caduceus? He needs Caduceus — Jaffe! — to heal Molly — Tal. ]
I cast Lay On Hands on Tal!
[ Unfortunately you're still grappled, begins Matt, but Fjord (who isn't sure why he's so distressed only that they were having so much fun and now it's all fucked up) wants to blast the shit out of Lorenzo who is already strolling away. ]
I shoot Eldritch Blast into the sky and yell for our Cleric!
[ Matt pauses, checking his notes, and he agrees to pause the moment as he goes to find Caduceus and relay the message, 'only because he has the ability to help the situation within a certain time period'. ]
[ They pause the moment and Molly takes it to wipe 'blood' off his face so he can see again. Fjord's voice sounded very upset and he wasn't sure what was IC or not, so he gives the half-orc a little smile.
...which is honestly just gruesome with all that corn syrup blood.
Somewhere in the back Yasha is screaming loudly, very into her barbarian thing and pummeling the shit out of some disgusting 'blob' monster with her giant sword. ]
[ It's such a disturbing sight to see; he didn't think he'd have to look at a blood-stained Mollymauk today, it was all for fun and maybe they would stroll to the tavern after this and laugh about the battle, but that won't happen if Jaffe doesn't get his tail back sharpish. He doesn't want Molly to leave the field and Tal to be dead.
So he looks worried and his frown only softens a little as he manages a sad smile, glancing over sharply to the sound of Caduceus running over. ]
[ Molly quickly goes limp again as they continue - a little overdramatically so, but still. That just seemed like the Mollymauk motto.
Jaffe gets back just in time to cast some kind of spell to lengthen the time he has to save Tal, and starts doing some very fancy ritual that ends with silver glitter on Molly's body, quickly mixed into the mess everywhere, and Matt rolling a dice on his phone.
'Tal's soul returns to his body, and he is resurrected!'
Oh, thank fuck. Okay, I knock out this motherfucker behind me [ with an apology to the guy loosely holding onto his arm, who steps back when Matt rolls a strength check for Fjord ] and I ... I look around for Lorenzo. Do I see him?
[ You do, he's not hard to miss, says Matt, and there is the Lorenzo player about twenty feet away engaged in combat with someone else.
Fjord scowls. ]
I cast Divine Smite and want to deal radiant damage.
[ Molly's helped to his feet by Caduceus, who does more 'healing'. Tal thanks Jaffe with a hug and then stands back a bit to watch Fjord - Travis - call divine retribution down on this guy.
Yasha veers in from the left to grab him into her arms, and Molly has to both tell her and 'Ashlee' that he's okay. At least he had told her ahead of time about the fake blood, or she would probably be having an episode by now.
All in all, it's all his little drama-loving heart desires. ]
[ Fjord proceeds to throw all his pissed off mood at Lorenzo (and a little at the player who is a real dick for killing a newbie, it's been obvious all day Tal is a fresh face) with some wrath from his patron goddess courtesy of Matt's elaborate storytelling. He suffers a nasty beat-down but manages to actually kill Lorenzo between a mix of outright attacks with the Star Razor and Eldritch Blasting him in succession, in the face, because Travis is petty like that.
He gets his armour sprayed in 'gore' and doesn't even bitch about it on the stomping stride back to his friends, huffing his triumph. It's very satisfying to see Lorenzo's player get walked off the field. ]
[ Molly runs to meet Fjord, throwing his arms around him and pulling him into a kiss - before he realizes he wasn't quite supposed to do that. He whispers 'whoops' under his breath, letting go of Fjord. Too late, though, as some people are cheering at them.
Nothing like a war and a love story, after all.
...gods, he tastes horrible with that fake blood. ]
[ Taken by surprise when charged and kissed, he wraps an arm around Molly to catch his weight and rests the wrist of the hand holding his sword by a hip to steady him. The fake blood tastes awful, truly, so he takes a moment to spit it to one side before going in for another kiss that surges with relief and happiness to have saved his sorta-boyfriend. Kind of.
Fjord murmurs against a cheek when he catches his breath, ] You promised to tell me all about the carnival later. Couldn't let you get out of that.
[ That reply makes him laugh a little, wiping more blood off his face before kissing Fjord again. Oh yeah, he could see this being a good love story.
Love...
The rest of the battle is won after Lorenzo and the blob are down, and everyone starts to head to the tavern or their tents. Molly is in his best of moods as they all drink to the victory inside the tavern, loudly telling his tale to people and making it more outrageous each time.
Now and then, he looks at Fjord with a smile, and once things have calmed down a bit, he comes to take the great paladin's hand for a chaste kiss. ]
You kept your promise, Travis. I am eternally grateful.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
An hour or so later, two weary travelers enter the inn, and a lot of people turn to stare at the massive woman and her colorful companion.
The game was on, and Molly was living all his theater kid dreams. ]
no subject
Fjord is distracted by the dramatic entry of Molly and Yasha, tamping down on a smile as he utterly fails in not checking out his not-boyfriend while in-character. Caduceus is even less subtle, although as he waves he adds, I like the flowers in your hair, miss!
That's one way to kick off an introduction. Fjord is too entrenched in keeping his cool to do much beyond ogle, yet. ]
no subject
The tiefling is wearing the most amazing and terrible coat, in all kinds of colors and full of embroidery, and it's impossible not to look at him. He chats and socializes while the aasimar just seems a little confused, but she plays along all the way to where the holy bros sit, and Molly slides in beside Fjord. ]
Well, never have I seen two people in such need of entertainment!
[ He wiggles a pamphlet under Fjord's nose. It has 'Moon and Lightning's Carnival of Colors' written on the front. ]
Taliesin, Tal to my friends, and we're friends now, aren't we?
no subject
Thankfully, one of the crew dressed as a messenger boy runs in and announces there's an army of monsters that will arrive at the town close to noon, which splits the crowd into those keen to fight and others who need to locate potions, or set up healing stations. Travis invites Tal to join him and Jaffe in a search for potions at the shops before they run out. ]
Unless you plan to await our return from battle?
no subject
Looking around for Yasha, he finds her talking to the half-dragon girl he briefly saw earlier, and decides to not bother her for now. After all, this handsome paladin is speaking to him! ]
I am not shy about battle, my friend. Nor could I reject such an offer. Let us go and see what we can find to help.
no subject
[ The 'good' potions have a shot of vodka in them with the Ribena, which Molly can find out on his own. Fjord leads him to the shop which is a tent with an open front, managed by a large blue firbolg who is entirely amiable when it comes to getting them a good deal. Fjord snags two greater potions. ]
This should be enough ... I hope we won't be out there as long as last time.
no subject
Does this happen often? We did not know these lands have unrest when we put up our tents!
[ He can't get the smile of his face, which is kind of ruining the moment, but at least Molly's definitely having fun. ]
no subject
These are the underlings of the dragon we slew some months ago. [ Turning his attention onto the tiefling while everyone else is busy, he lets some of his acting slip and winks. ] If you're afraid, you're welcome to stand behind me.
no subject
[ Molly says excitedly, and then swears under his breath because he dropped character again. He picks back up quickly, though, because he's dedicated to this - and watching Fjord wink at him like that is cute. Like they're in cahoots together. ]
Will you protect me with your big sword, mighty knight?
no subject
He sweeps his cloak back and gets down on one knee, sword in the ground as he holds the hilt and gazes up at him. It looks very in-character, all except for the genuine softness in his eyes. ]
I swear to protect you, fair warrior.
no subject
Tal shouldn't be bothered about it, but Molly feels like he's the lead actor in some period drama right here. ]
You are a truly noble man, Travis. I am grateful for your promise of protection, as I am just a simple carnie and I have never seen battle with such evils before!
[ It's amazing that he can stop himself from fake-swooning. ]
no subject
If we survive the night, you must tell me more about your carnival.
no subject
That hand is freely given, and Tal bows dramatically in turn, coat swooshing and his horn jewelry clinking. Under the coat can be seen the two scimitars he had been playing with this morning, so apparently he's more of a 'hidden carrier' and maybe not such an innocent carnie. ]
If we survive the night, Sir Travis, I will tell you anything you want.
[ Of course he will have to seal that with a wink, and someone on the sides laughs. ]
no subject
[ And for the rest of the day as they flit around and prepare for the 'battle', Fjord assists in showing Molly around icly with Yasha and Caduceus bringing up the rear, everyone resigned to following Molly's eye for curiosities. When the warriors are called to the field to do battle, the "invisible" crew members who act as referees and storytellers are already on the eaves, the opposite end of the meadow filled with mask-wearing monsters. Fjord tries to stick by Molly or at least keep him in his eyeline, with Caduceus keeping them covered as he slings spells over whirling blades, and their quartet brings over a crewman called Matt who has a clipboard with his notes; he instructs them and the monsters who wins each round of combat and it's fun as fuck, in Fjord's opinion, until one BBEG stomps over.
Lorenzo, the hulk calls himself, managing an eerily evil laugh as he advances on them. Fjord is annoyingly attacked by other crew at that moment and Matt deems him grappled, so he can't run to Molly's aid.
And it's suddenly kind of ... anxious, the mood shift. ]
no subject
It's all fun and games until the hulking BBEG stomps forward, and Molly is honestly not sure if the person playing it isn't like, half-ogre or something.
Well. He advances, slipping out more fake blood as he 'curses' the bastard and starts to fight. It is clear that his class is still underbalanced, though, and he's quickly losing to Lorenzo.
One shitty strike and he slips, trying to not laugh as he falls on his back. Matt calls in a rock paper scissors to see if he manages to get away in time, and that's also a complete loss.
He gestures as covertly as he can towards the place he was stashing his Blood Hunter blood, and the 'stab' is enough to break it. Blood everywhere. It's glorious drama and Molly's so utterly pleased as he 'dies'. ]
no subject
[ He almost yells at Matt, taking a step forward before being reminded he's restrained. Where the fuck is Caduceus? He needs Caduceus — Jaffe! — to heal Molly — Tal. ]
I cast Lay On Hands on Tal!
[ Unfortunately you're still grappled, begins Matt, but Fjord (who isn't sure why he's so distressed only that they were having so much fun and now it's all fucked up) wants to blast the shit out of Lorenzo who is already strolling away. ]
I shoot Eldritch Blast into the sky and yell for our Cleric!
[ Matt pauses, checking his notes, and he agrees to pause the moment as he goes to find Caduceus and relay the message, 'only because he has the ability to help the situation within a certain time period'. ]
Yeah, okay, I yell really fucking loudly for him!
no subject
...which is honestly just gruesome with all that corn syrup blood.
Somewhere in the back Yasha is screaming loudly, very into her barbarian thing and pummeling the shit out of some disgusting 'blob' monster with her giant sword. ]
no subject
So he looks worried and his frown only softens a little as he manages a sad smile, glancing over sharply to the sound of Caduceus running over. ]
Get a diamond out, he's dead!
no subject
Jaffe gets back just in time to cast some kind of spell to lengthen the time he has to save Tal, and starts doing some very fancy ritual that ends with silver glitter on Molly's body, quickly mixed into the mess everywhere, and Matt rolling a dice on his phone.
'Tal's soul returns to his body, and he is resurrected!'
Close call, good thing they had a cleric. ]
no subject
[ You do, he's not hard to miss, says Matt, and there is the Lorenzo player about twenty feet away engaged in combat with someone else.
Fjord scowls. ]
I cast Divine Smite and want to deal radiant damage.
no subject
Yasha veers in from the left to grab him into her arms, and Molly has to both tell her and 'Ashlee' that he's okay. At least he had told her ahead of time about the fake blood, or she would probably be having an episode by now.
All in all, it's all his little drama-loving heart desires. ]
no subject
He gets his armour sprayed in 'gore' and doesn't even bitch about it on the stomping stride back to his friends, huffing his triumph. It's very satisfying to see Lorenzo's player get walked off the field. ]
... Right. Good. Are we winning the battle?
no subject
Nothing like a war and a love story, after all.
...gods, he tastes horrible with that fake blood. ]
no subject
Fjord murmurs against a cheek when he catches his breath, ] You promised to tell me all about the carnival later. Couldn't let you get out of that.
no subject
Love...
The rest of the battle is won after Lorenzo and the blob are down, and everyone starts to head to the tavern or their tents. Molly is in his best of moods as they all drink to the victory inside the tavern, loudly telling his tale to people and making it more outrageous each time.
Now and then, he looks at Fjord with a smile, and once things have calmed down a bit, he comes to take the great paladin's hand for a chaste kiss. ]
You kept your promise, Travis. I am eternally grateful.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...