Private Tales Fireworks and a White Rabbit

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
Varys nodded, more to himself than to her response. Twenty seconds... he could do that. In all honesty, he was making this up as he went along with it, but he was confident in his ability to pull this trick off. He'd have to come up with something a bit more creative for the finale, but he'd cross that precarious bridge when he came to it.

"Get ready, sending one up." He wasn't totally sure what her method of helping him was, but it seemed a degree harder than it was when helping Jon. He had to guess the lack of a bond like she shared with Jon was to blame for that. Then again, the two of them had a different kind of bond all their own, as of late. He was willing to put his faith in her, as he focused on the 'screamer' flower as he'd gotten used to doing, and sent it into the sky. He even included a little flourish to the motion, though it seemed this was to appease Hob more than the nobles, as he smirked down at her.

The loud, squealing firework fired up into the air, it's piercing whistle drawing all attention it's way, spreading crimson sparks of light throughout the sky. He counted the seconds in his head slowly. One. Two .Three.... As they drew near Twenty, he placed his hand over the white flower, throwing it up a good deal harder than he had the screamer, causing it to collide with the screamer right as it depleted.

Did he know what would happen? Nope.

Would it probably look pretty cool? He sure hoped so.

Jonathan Burr
 
Hob had an idea the second he sent up the second. The white one unfurled into a small white hawk, the cry warped into the scream of a great hunter. When it struck the red, now a squalling pigeon, they both burst into fading sparks. Hob stumbled a bit, catching herself on the table. There was no bond, and it felt as though she were spitting into the void. Into a great vacuum, where she poured pieces of herself that wouldn’t return.

She straightened, pinning her ears back a bit. She could do this. A few more, and then they could rest.

Herself and Jonathan were two people in rotation around one another. As she waned Jon grew stronger, and the opposite was true. It was the condition of their bond. She couldn’t pull too hard, or she risked killing him when he was so weak.

Varys
 
His eyes darted down to Hob as soon as he saw the immaculate display that had just occurred. It certainly wasn't his doing, and his suspicions were confirmed when Hob was left holding herself up on the table. This was hurting her, and if it was hurting her, then it was hurting Jon as well. He didn't care how poor they were, it wasn't worth their health. He eyed the nobles from over his shoulder, and then looked down at Hob.

"We can't pull off a finale if that has you struggling to stand, Hob. I can still call this off, and we can use the bank funds for now..."

He knew it wasn't a viable option, and even less one that Hob would consider. The cheering and clapping of the nobles behind him spoke to the fact that quitting halfway wouldn't end well for them. His eyes narrowed. "Fine, just... try to let me do some of the work here. No fancy stuff until the end, until that, conserve, got it? "

He went on making several different designs and color combinations with the flowers, not doing anything particularly crazy. He was obviously biding time for Hob, but to their patrons it would appear more like they were building up to something, and they were indeed on the edge of their seats. "Any ideas...?" He whispers to her.

Jonathan Burr
 
Hob glared a bit at him and straightened herself up. She wasn’t about to disappoint and ruin their reputation over a little small display. She needed Varys to keep himself together. She watched the color combinations, silently aiding him little by little. Helping him with timing or the directions of the sparks.

They were supposed to build up to something. They needed a theme. A theme. She had begun with flowers and hawks. “I do. Throw three blue and two yellow up.” She told him softly. She waited for him, summoning strength up from the stones, the floor. She could do this. She would do this. She was proud and strong on her own without Jon.

She closed her eyes and pulled the three blue orbs together. Together and out, stretching the sparks out into a cold blue flame. Yellow wings. A Phoenix that swept out over the crowd, screeching. Each flap of the wings was effort, each cry pain. The Phoenix wheeled, and burst into a shower above Varys’ head.

Hob vanished. She couldn’t stay visible anymore. She collapsed onto the table, putting her head in her hands.

Varys
 
Varys was wary of throwing five of the flowers up consecutively, especially considering she'd struggled with his attempt to pull a trick just two of them. He had to put his worry aside though; He'd claimed to trust her, hadn't he? He needed to prove that he did just that. He gathers the flowers she requested, and throws them in that order: Three blue, and two yellow.

The resulting display was one that even had Varys' mouth agape. The light bent and twisted into the shape of a burning phoenix, flapping it's wings and crying out as though it were alive and full of breath. It soared through the sky like a formation of shooting stars before bursting into a dazzling fizzle, leaving them covered with wave after wave of applause and cheer from the aristocrats watching. The show had been a success, but Varys wasn't happy with it. In the end, Hob had done all the work, and he'd just made it look real.

He wasn't angry though, he was determined. He would keep practicing, and he'd do it without help next time.

A quick bow to the crowd is followed by his running over to Hob, wrapping her delicate arm around his shoulder and helping her stand. He mutters to her softly. "I couldn't have done that without you, Hob. Gods above you're amazing..." He pressed his cheek to hers affectionately as the Niv collects the shining tokens of appreciation from tonight's crowd in a large sack. The older man kept looking back at the two of them as if expecting them to say something, but Varys was far too concerned with the woman in his arms. Niv shrugged, tugging the sack over to them.

"Not bad at all, old friend. You were right, that's definitely a new one. So, how about we split this coin eh? I'm sure your anxious to see what we've netted? You obviously aren't going to play them up for more." He added snarkily.

Jonathan Burr
 
Hob cleared her throat and breathed in deeply. She leaned on Varys and kissed his cheek. “We’re going to have to practice more of your magic, but this will work to keep us eating. Remember, when you give him his half...” she chewed her lip. “Switch out real coins for false ones. Ones that will crumble into dust by the time we’re long gone. We need that gold, Varys.”

She straightened up and gave the man a smile. “Thank you for gathering all these fine people.” She told Niv, batting her eyes at him and standing up. This was their finale. “Let’s not count it in front of them. Please, come back to our hotel room so we can divvy it up like gentlemen.” She slid her hand up Niv’s arm. Promising more than just a coin count.

Varys
 
Varys was already quite displeased with his overall performance without Hob's assessment, but it did serve to reaffirm that which he already knew. He was weak, and he needed to hone his skill to be truly useful. He trusted that Hob had a way of making such false coins, as after that display Varys certainly didn't trust himself to do it. His mind wandered for a moment to the mushroom Jon had given him to assist with his magic, but he shook the thought from his head. He didn't want to rely on that, not unless it was a dire emergency.

Niv, meanwhile, was looking rather hungrily at the woman hanging from his arm. Obviously, he already had an idea of what 'Hoblina' was insinuating in his head. Varys couldn't help but roll his eyes. Niv cleared his throat, nodding to Varys. "Ah, she's right of course, Varys. Bad luck to count your crops in front of your field. Wouldn't want the rabble to get... ah..." His hand wandered again, resting on the small of Hob's back. "Jealous. Would we?"

Varys manages a nod, picking up the basket with their remaining flowers. Judging from the size of the sack, it was a good haul. Keeping all of it would help them stay afloat for a decent while, plus whatever Niv had cut him in the bank. They'd need to skip town by the time his gold turned to dust, but that worked well anyways. If Hob was right, Bram's cronies may very well come hunting them in the next few days. With luck, they'd stay a few steps ahead.

"I figured you'd be much more interested in the money than you would the show, Niv. You've always been so single minded."

Varys wasn't sure where it had come from, nor had he meant to say it. His right hand raised to his mouth as if trying to catch the words before they'd left his mouth.

"Maybe so, but I think that single mindedness has brought me luck tonight..." Niv sneered as he pressed his hand to Hob's rear. "Lead the way, let's go."

Jonathan Burr
 
She wanted to rip that hand from the small of her back and twist it off his wrist. But she didn’t. She giggled like a schoolgirl and kissed Varys’ cheek. It was perfect. They would get the gold, and the money from the bank, and they’d step neatly ahead of Emelia Bram and laugh all the way to the next showing.

Hob giggled, and held on to Varys’ arm as they headed back to the hotel. Thank the gods Jon was still asleep. She opened the door and immediately pulled the dress over her head. She had to keep Niv distracted. She wasn’t above perching on the bed naked.

“Well? Pour it out, Niv. Right here.” Hob laid back on the bed and patted the sheets. “I’ve always wanted to swim in coin.”

Varys
 
He felt Hob rejoin him once they set off to the Hotel and it put his mind a bit more at ease. He sped them up, putting enough distance between the two of them and Niv so that he could whisper to her. "As soon as he leaves, I swear to the Gods, Hob..." It was making his blood boil, watching her wind Niv up so expertly. As far as Varys was concerned, Hob was his girl.

Niv had sat the golden sack on the table, and Varys was watching him closely; any strange move would give him full excuse to rap him on the head and be done with him. Unfortunately, he seemed to be behaving.

He saw Hob begin to lift her dress up, and couldn't open his mouth in time to object; she'd laid herself out in all her glory, leaving two very contrasting expressions looking down at her. Niv seemed ecstatic, his eyes finally torn off of the money. Varys looked livid. If Niv so much as laid a finger on Hob.

Clutching the sack by it's neck, he lifts it into the air and tilts it to pour all over the nude woman. "Hah-hah! You found yourself a real fun whore, San'Seya! This is what living like a king is all about: Sex and money!"

Jonathan Burr
 
Finally he looked away from the goddamn coin. Hob stretched herself out, her back arched and coins bouncing off her breasts. Coin gathered down her stomach, between her legs, between her breasts. She laughed and stretched her arms up over her head. “We’re living like kings!” She squealed a laugh, and looked up at them. Varys needed to hold in that rage for five more minutes. She could do this.

“One for you...” Hob delicately pulled a coin out from between her legs and kissed it, setting it in the sack. She divvied up the cash, making sure she pulled Niv’s from scandalous areas. She kissed each coin she put in his sack, and grinned at them both as she dropped the last of Niv’s in his bag. “Varys can make sure the count is even.” She purred. All of Niv’s gold she had transformed with each kiss...and hid the real coin under her on the bed. Every little slide of the coin against her body was deception.

Varys
 
Niv was practically foaming at the mouth by the time she was finished. He could see just about everything. He wasn't paying nearly as much attention to the count as he should have been because of that, but then that was exactly what Hob intended. Even so, when she finished, and as Varys recounted for her, watching both of them out of the corner of his eyes, Niv seemed a bit... downtrodden.

"So... is there any way we should celebrate this little victory of ours maybe? I was rather under the impression that."

Varys cut him off swiftly, tying Niv's half in a separate bag and pushing it rather roughly into his chest. The golden color in his eyes seemed to glow with his temper. "You were under the impression that I was going to let you have your way with my woman?" He asks in a chiding tone. Niv's eyes seem to cycle between worried, angry, and confused. "Wh-she's been all over me since this afternoon! Surely you've noticed? Are you saying she hasn't been implying that--"

A loud cough breaks his sentence, Varys' face was cold, and he was more than done tolerating the presence of an old friend who thought himself more important that he truly was. He'd given them all of the info and help he could, and Varys wasn't jeopardizing his relationship with the creature he was quickly beginning to fall for over him. "Consider the show a bonus for helping us. Now, if you don't get out, I'll be forced to escort you myself, Niv. You know what happens when I have to do that."

There was a long, tense moment between the two of them, staring each other down. With a low mumble and stern look, Niv turns, closing the door behind him as he leaves.

Jonathan Burr
 
Hob watched Varys insistently push Niv from the room. Gods, watching him be completely manly was arousing. She waggled her fingers in goodbye at Niv, flicking one ear up to listen and make sure he went all the way down the stairs and out the front door of the hotel. With a click of the door she grinned and sat up, revealing the gold she’d snuck away under her back. “Fancies himself a master thief and didn’t think to ask the coins? Some Transmuter he is.” She giggled, and scooped up the gold, pouring it back over her figure.

“Watching you stake your claim has me a little warm.” She purred to Varys, beckoning him closer with a finger. “You’ve got your woman and your gold. You didn’t think I was actually going to sleep with that toad when I have all the man in the world right in front of me?”

Varys
 
Varys did his best to ensure he rose early that next morning. His muscles were weary; both from his performance during and after the show the previous night. Still, for the first time since they'd left Volta, he felt a semblance of normalcy in his routine. He slid from bed, careful not to wake his lover as he gently escaped her grasp. His bare feet hit the cold wood of the inn room's floor, and he tilted his head down at the golden coins that littered the room. He fought back a chuckle, squatting down to collect all of the money that had been scattered in the commotion last night.

Pouring all of the gold into a sack, he tied the mouth of it tightly, before tucking it snugly at Hob's bedside. If anybody got handsy, they'd be in for a surprise. He runs a hand over her cheek before leaving to check on Jon. If Hob was still in this state, he was still resting, but Varys thought it high time he wake up. He leaves their room, locking the door behind him as he moves to check on Jon.

Jonathan Burr
 
Hob slept soundly. She was so beautifully sore. She smiled and put her arms around the gold sack, snoring softly. She was warm, and the bed was soft. She could feel last night between her legs and she loved it. She leaned into his hand, smiling. “I love you.” She mumbled sleepily, turning her head to watch him go.

Jonathan woke up as Varys entered, running his fingers through his hair. He felt better. So much better. And ravenous! He smirked at Varys. “So, you had a girl over huh? How did Hob take it? I heard her last night squealing your name and calling you Master.” Jon chuckled and shook his head. “Well, I’m glad you’re sowing your oats. Let’s get some breakfast. I could eat a donkey. Raw. But really, waffles and my own rasher of bacon should do the trick. How’s the rabbit this morning, or did he sneak off?”

The mage sat up and changed into his other pair of clothing. It was a dark linen shirt and pants he looked quite fetching in with his red hair. He tugged on a fresh pair of trousers and washed his face in the water basin. “...Hob must be feeling fantastic. Look.” Jon waved Varys over.

He’d turned the water in the bowl to crystal. “My powers only act up like this when he’s happy and well...” he flipped the bowl upside down and unearthed the dome of solid quartz from the wash bowl. “...this is the happiest I’ve seen him if he takes a leap from mere water to the clearest crystal I’ve ever seen. Look!”

Jon grinned at Varys through the dome.

Varys
 
Varys' mouth opened in some sort of attempt to object to being outright busted by his Master. For a moment, he wondered if maybe they'd been too loud in their activities. That didn't make any sense though, as Jon awakening... well, Varys would have known. No, it must have been that bond of His and Hob's again. Something in the same vein as the dreams that he'd been complaining about. Clearing his throat, he crosses his arms and eyes the clothes he dons. He was unused to seeing him in anything other than what he'd met him in.

"Yes, well... I felt a reward for myself was in order for pulling your ass out of the fire two days in a row." He smirked, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small handful of gold coins. He counted them out silently, enough for breakfast at the very least. "He's asleep in the other room, but he's guarding our 'winnings' from last night. Not likely to be stolen with him curled up around it all."

He raises his head from his counting at his call, pursing his lips curiously as he Jon looks excitedly down at something in the sink. Palming the change he'd counted, he goes over to see the water shifting almost involuntarily into crystal as clear as air. He looks up at Jon with a whistle. "I mean... he did get to scam a tight-assed noble who thought he was going to get one over on us last night, and we did make quite a bit of money. If I'd have known getting him chipper would help with your recovery, I'd have worked on it sooner."

He offers a grin. "You're right though, I'd never seen him as thrilled as he was last night."

Jonathan Burr
 
Jonathan smiled and set the crystal dome down, thinking. “Well...I thank you for pulling my ass out of the fire, as it were. Thanks to you both.” He raised an eyebrow. Well, he knew Hob loved a good joke, as well as targeting high value men. But scamming a noble? Would that make him as deliriously happy?

The Transmuter chewed his lip for a moment. “It feels more like...he’s in love.” He muttered. “So odd...you haven’t seen him with anyone while I was out, did you?” Jonathan could feel the change in Hob. Warm, coiling power was settled in his belly like a cat in a sunspot. Hob was helping those feelings, dreaming away of happy things.

Jonathan gave Varys a look for a moment. No. There was no way. He shook his head and chuckled. “Come on, down to breakfast.” He patted Varys’ shoulder and headed downstairs in search of coffee and eggs.

Varys
 
Varys did offer a bow in return for his thanks, but he knew that his story wouldn't hold up under too much scrutiny. Hopefully Jon would let it pass. His body stiffened as Jon seemed to take a bit of a longer look over, and he swore his skin grew goosebumps for a moment. The elf was lucky: If Jon had pressed him a little, he'd probably have been able to put two and two together.

Instead, Varys follows him down to the lobby for breakfast. He casts a quick glance to Hob's door. Still closed, and given how long the two of them had gone at it, he'd take his time to stretch back out. That was fine.

The Widow's Head boasted a complimentary meal for it's visitors. The counter that was usually for checking in was unmanned, now adorned with a royal blue cloth and an array of different breakfast meal items laid out for their hungry patrons to enjoy. Varys smiled and nudged Jon.

"Look at that, the royal treatment."

He hadn't realized how badly he'd missed having a conscious, mentally functioning Jonathan around. It felt like he'd seen so little of them the last few days. He allows Jon to go take his pick first, finding them a seat in the lobby. There were others already eating, and the lobby was alive with the chatter one would expect to hear in a diner. When Jonathan joins him, he smiles.

"You'll be happy to hear that last night's impromptu show was a massive success. With Hob's help, we had a whole crowd of rich folk tossing gold at us. However..."

He bit the inside of his cheek.

"We need to skip town, fast. The threat of Bram sending somebody after you is too high to stick here for long. Assuming she sent somebody shortly after our escape, they'll likely arrive this evening. In addition, the aforementioned noble we scammed? He's going to realize we've tricked him soon. Hob used some kind of trick with coins that turn to dirt on a time delay. Wouldn't be a problem, except he knows my name, and where we're staying."

Jonathan Burr
 
Jon laughed a bit at the bow, clapping Varys on the back. He was happy to see the buffet was stocked, and he grabbed three plates. The first plate he filled with an obscene pile of toast and eggs, the second was links of sausage and the third was fruit. Jonathan grinned as Varys sat down across from him, shoveling food into his mouth. He bit deeply into an apple, frowning as he listened to Varys.

They had to skip town? He had to admit it made sense. Bram would be coming after them sooner or later. At the mention of the coins he swallowed down cheekfuls of egg and grinned. “Oh, he’s using my tricks now is he?” He laughed. “Alright, we need to resupply and get out of here. A water butt, a few weeks of dry goods. Some liquor and coffee. We still have some of Hob’s candy. I think we should be alright.”

Hob woke quietly and sighed. Back to male again. He sat up and grabbed the bag of coin, carefully headed downstairs. He heard Jon mention supplies. They’d have to before they left. He plunked the coins into their lockbox, and settled in the back of the wagon. He smiled to himself. He loved Varys, and Varys loved him back.

Varys
 
He nods in general agreement. They would gather up supplies and quickly be out of town before midday if possible. It would all depend on just how much they needed. Judging from how Jon was eating like he'd been starved for a week, he wouldn't be surprised if the mage decided to pick up some extra. "I have to admit, it makes me nervous being here, even for that long. Who knows what's going to come after us next?" His elbows rest on the table, and he sighs. "I never thought I'd miss quietly jumping from town to town..."

He shrugs, standing up and taking Jon's barren plate away to place back at the counter. He couldn't explain how he knew, but he felt Hob waiting for them back at the wagon. "Hob's up, has the wagon ready, I think. We should probably get underway, huh?" He turned to leave, but he stopped halfway. No, he was forgetting to mention something. Something he'd been trying to forget about...

"We found somebody who knew my father here. They confirmed what I already thought, I'm just a body double made for extra years... They thought I was him. We were... able to play along long enough to get the money." He shrugs, shaking his head.

"They called me a 'doll'. Funny, huh?"

Jonathan Burr
 
Jonathan chuckled and finished off a piece of toast. “You don’t have to worry about it for too long. My mother’s angry but she won’t follow us past Pedeo, I promise.” He smiled at Varys and patted his arm, chugging down a mug of tea. An entire rasher of bacon, three eggs, and a pile of toast made him feel like a man again. “Besides, I have to start us off teaching you. I’m curious to see whether you’re going to be more of a Speaker or a Changer.” He grinned at Varys.

Hob signaled he was ready, and Varys took his plate. That was definitely odd. The elf knew Hob was ready? Even commented on it. But how had he known? The bond was betwixt he and Hob, not Varys. He frowned and passed a hand in front of him for a moment. The bond appeared to him, and only him, vaguely umbilical in its appearance. The veiny cord of flesh and twitching muscles was attached, translucent and turning listlessly in the air. But...he watched Varys come back to the table. The cord twitched toward him, growing tendrils that fell just short.

Jon cleared his throat and blinked, dispelling the image. He opened his mouth to speak, but Varys told him what happened. Gods, it was true. The old man had Transmuted a man for himself. The poor boy. Jon stood and embraced Varys. “Not funny. Sad.” He patted Varys’ cheek. “But we saw who outlasted who.”

Varys
 
Varys stiffened, not expecting the gesture. It wasn't unwelcome though, and he returned it in kind. "I... I suppose your right. It's just rather disheartening is all. For what it's worth, Hob did some prime cheering up. He can be nice when he feels like it, I suppose." He smirks. "And I suppose you can kind of understand why I sought company last night, no?"

He pulls away and waves to the woman at the check in desk, before leaving the Widow's Head. Turning into the alley, he smiles at Hob and offers a bow of greeting to him, speaking quickly before Jon has a chance to hear. "Morning, Love." He climbs into the wagon and inspects the lockbox. It looked like everything was there, but he'd do an exact count once they were on the move. There was always the chance they'd... lost some coins...

When Jon rounds the corner, he smiles back at him. "There he is, back in functional condition. So Jon, how's it feel to not be half dead for the first time in a week?"

Jonathan Burr
 
“I do. You choose your own path Varys, not me. Not your father. Think about it, you wouldn’t be the same even if you tried. You had different experiences, knew different people. You may look like him...but you’re not him.” Jon nodded and stepped back. “I’m glad Hob was comforting. It’s strange, he normally really isn’t.”

Hob perked up when he saw Varys, both ears going up sharply. Good morning, love. He told the Elf, his head following his lover as he climbed into the back and counted the gold. Used some of the gold to buy supplies while you two had breakfast. We’ve got a proper water keg now back there. Should come in handy with how Jon practices.

Jon came around the corner, and saw the cord again, straining toward Varys. What the hell was going on? He frowned and stood in front of Hob. “Before we leave...you tell me what the hell’s going on between you two. I’ve been out only a few days.” Jon looked suspiciously at Hob, who was looking at his foot paws.

Varys
 
Varys tensed up. Jon had made his suspicions known up until this point, but it wasn't until now that it seemed he was putting his foot down. He wasn't going to let them go anywhere, not until they came clean. Looking over at Hob, he shot him an apologetic look. They didn't have time to stall, they needed to get busy. He clears his throat, and reaches over to put a hand on Hob's head. Where did he even begin...?

"Okay, but you might want to sit down..."

His free hand nervously fiddled with some of his hair as he waited for Jon to settle in, before he began.

"Remember when you nearly croaked in Volta? When we came back for Hob? There's something we didn't share about what happened... You see, that whole ordeal damaged the bond between you two quite a bit, and when I found Hob, he was in his original state, from before you met him."

He knew this was a bit heavy handed, and Jon would likely need a moment to process Varys's words.

"How do I put this...? Hob's original form is female. She and I..."

He looks helplessly at Hob. A little help, maybe?"

Jonathan Burr
 
Jonathan sat down on the edge of the wagon, looking between the two of them. Hob sheepishly stood next to Varys as the elf spoke, running behind his neck. Jon listened to Varys, his eyes widening. Hob was...female? That couldn’t be true! He’d always been this way. He gaped at the pooka, and Hob drew on the ground with his feet.

Well....I...we...Varys rescued me, and you were ill. We’re together. I’m in love with him.

Jon stared, looking between them. His brain had to catch up. Hob and Varys were together? In love? He looked between them again, Hob cringing. The Transmuter burst into laughter. “You’re not serious!” He exclaimed, slapping his leg. “You two are both pulling my leg...aren’t you?”

Varys
 
"It wasn't expected Jon, Honestly. We were both high on our emotions after that Volta mess. It just kinda... happened."

Varys hated the idea that they were absolutely mortifying Jon with this info. Maybe it was mortifying, and he and Hob were wrong in their actions. He didn't know what to think. "She changes back when you're asleep. You've seen the evidence yourself. The sink this morning? That I knew Hob was out here waiting?" He shrugs, averting his eyes. Jon had said it himself that Hob was ecstatic about something

"I know this is... weird. You've been half unconscious the past few days, and I didn't want to put anything else on you until you recovered. Which apparently, we were able to speed up..." He smiles hopefully. "This doesn't have to change anything, you know."

Jonathan Burr
 
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