[SE] The Art of Peer Pressure

Just smile and be happy.

Erica is more than happy to see him. The round, overbearing woman resembles a mother hen in every aspect, including her clucking tone as she walks around the bar to envelop him in a suffocating hug. "You haven't come by in ages! I thought you were going to starve! Who has been feeding you? You look so thin!" Despite her five-foot height, she somehow manages to smother him with her arms, pinching his cheek with chubby fingers. Zavien smiles kindly and returns the embrace affectionately. "It's good to see you too, Erica. I've missed your cooking." She steps away and smacks him lightly on the chest. "Of course you did. No one has better food in Stormbreak."

Glancing at Hawthorn, she elbows Zavien harshly in the ribs. "Where are the manners your mom worked so hard to beat into your head? Introduce me to your friend." Blushing at the chastisement, he chuckles. "Yes, ma'am. This is Hawthorn. Hawthorn, this is Erica, the best noodle chef in Stormbreak." Erica looks at him, a hand placed over her heart in offense. "Don't you mean 'the best chef,' period?" Her eyebrow is crooked in amusement and she reaches out to hug Hawthorn. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hawthorn." She gives him a disapproving stare and assesses his physique. "Oh no no no. This will not do. You are much too thin!" Tsking to herself, she returns behind the counter, her eyes narrowed in concentration.

"Now, I'm going to give you the biggest helpings of my blink hare stew, making sure there are extra noodles!" Erica proceeds to spoon large ladles of steaming soup into ginormous bowls as large as Zavien' head. He just grins happily at Hawthorn, finally answering his question, laughing. "I get whatever she gives me." There is no arguing with Erica, especially when it comes to soup and trying to put him into a food coma.

Within seconds, they have piping hot bowls before them, overloaded with meat, vegetables, and noodles. In a commanding tone, Erica points her finger at each of them. "You boys better eat every bite of this. There will not be a single drop left!" Zavien salutes her in stiff form and shoots Hawthorn an apologetic look. He should have warned the man before bringing him, but just hopes that he'll be able to consume at least most of the meal. Erica would not be happy if they didn't finish the bowls. In fact, she probably had dessert sitting in the back. So Zavien begins devouring his food with extreme enthusiasm, mumbling a thanks around bites of hot broth.

Zavien

// and it's alright, that's the way i like it —

Surprise is etched into the lines around Thorn’s eyes, a smile automatically painted on his face as Erica makes her grand entrance. And what an entrance it is as Thorn tries his best to take it all in, amusement glimmering in the seafoam of his gaze. At least, until he’s introduced, and the courtesan dips his chin in a quiet little hello. “Pleased to meet you too.” He says before she’s inspecting his physique and Thorn’s cheeks flush a little with surprise.

It’s not that he doesn’t eat. He’s just… Busy, and has a high metabolism. Right? Right.

“Makes sense to me.” Thorn says in a soft whisper for Zavien’s ears only, laughing lightly as the bowls are made and he stares at it as it’s placed in front of them, wondering how in Frey’s name he was going to finish this giant bowl. At the very least, it smelled amazing and he’d already be drooling if he weren’t already grabbing one of the spoons to try the broth. “I’ll try my best!” He says with an amused glance meeting Zavien’s apologetic one, leaning in to nudge the other man with his elbow. “I’ll have to come an’ visit more often.” He says before he too starts to dive in.

It's delicious, and truthfully Thorn has to suppress the satisfied groan from his throat as he devours more and more of it. He tries to manage balancing it out so that he might stand a chance of trying to devour all of it, but about halfway through he starts to grow a bit more sluggish. “It’s really fillin’, huh?”

thorn

— getting crucified,
every time you cross my mind //

Just smile and be happy.

Zavien laughs lightly back at Hawthorn's comments and Erica shakes the wet ladle at him. "Absolutely. It will take at least monthly visits to put meat on those bones. I expect to see you back here before Flowerbirth." There is no room for discussion in her stern tone or facial expression. As she turns back to stirring the pot, Zavien attempts to whisper to Hawthorn, "It might be best to run before she has a chance to catch you." He recalls the tight grasp of her hug and imagines what it may be if she finally caught an escaping work-in-progress. It gives him shivers and he almost laughs before he notices her eyes piercing into his, practically commanding him to "EAT". Smiling nervously, he continues to dig into his own soup, slurping the noodles gratefully into his mouth.

While enjoying the deliciously savory blink hare stew, he notices Hawthorn slowing down. Having had plenty of practice devouring the ungodly amount of food, Zavien quickly pours most of the rest into his own bowl when Erica isn't looking. When she checks on their progress, seeing that Zavien still has a long way to go, she bops him upside the head. "You're slacking, Z! Even this twig of a boy has eaten more than you!" Shaking her head in disgust, the chef starts attending to her ingredients, chopping them while muttering under her breath about "wasting away" and "expecting better." Zavien winks at Hawthorn, glad that at least he won't be subjected to Erica's wrath. "Filling is an understatement."

He works at the bowl with practiced efficiency, talking around a few bites at Hawthorn, "Do you plan to stay awhile? Or do you have to get back?" A part of him hopes the man stays, but he doesn't want to keep him from his work.

Zavien

// and it's alright, that's the way i like it —

As the wet ladle is shook at him, Thorn’s attention flits back toward her like a child being caught doing something they shouldn’t be – doe eyed and apologetic as he ducks his chin a little with referencing Zavien most recently to say “yes ma’am” before the courtesan snorts lightly into the bowl as he tries to cool it down a fraction. He hears the whisper and it sparks that smile to return, nodding a little to ensure he’d heard it, before Erica is getting on their case again.

She reminds him of his mother, in a good way, and it’s surprisingly charming to experience this – even as he struggles so hard to finish the meal. Eternally grateful for the way Zavien smoothly pours half of the bowl into his own, Thorn snorts and finishes off his bowl as he listens, before he finds it in him to try and help Zavien’s portion with a few of the noodles when Erica isn’t looking, flashing him a wink back, despite feeling like he might combust. “I planned on stayin' a couple’ve days, ‘n then headin’ back.” He glances up at Zavien with an easier gleam in his seafoam gaze. “Was wantin’ to check out Mother Molly’s to see how different it was from the House of Midnight, but other than that? Nothin’ else.” He watches the Accepted curiously, wondering what he might have to say or offer.

Though it’s no surprise that the courtesan would be wanting to take a look at the brothel, it could always wait until tomorrow.

thorn

— getting crucified,
every time you cross my mind //

Just smile and be happy.

Erica glances back at their progress with a small level of approval and Zavien practically snorts his laughter into his spoon. With Hawthorn's help, he finishes off the large bowl, feeling his stomach bulge in filling appreciation for the food. Zavien sits back in his stool to lay a bracing hand against his stomach and flash Hawthorn a large, satisfied smile. He tries to ignore the fact that Erica looks like she may be prepping dessert. They would cross that bridge when they got to it.

He's glad to hear Hawthorn will be staying awhile and says as much. "That's great! I haven't been to Mother Molly's - my mom wouldn't let me when she worked there - but I've heard good things. If you want to do any other exploring in Stormbreak let me know. I'd be happy to show you some of the fun things it has to offer!" Zavien also wonders if he will take up the offer of staying at his place or if he already had someplace else. Either way, Zavien is excited to have a friend staying in his city.

Zavien

// and it's alright, that's the way i like it —

The large bowl is finished and Thorn thinks he might fully explode given the chance to, sitting back comfortably as he answers Zavien’s question and listens while half watching Erica in his peripheral vision, spotting her work to prep something else. And that extremely full sensation blooms again, distracted, thankfully, by the offer and the realization that Zavien’s own mother had been a courtesan. It sparks more interest and he forgets about Erica for a moment, the younger man’s grin broadening as he nods his head. “Yeah, I’d really like that.” He says with every ounce of meaning behind it, already looking forward to it.

Considering the Accepted for a moment, Thorn tilts a little toward him before he speaks. “Do ya think I could maybe come ‘n stay tonight with ya before I do my explorin’ of Mother Molly’s tomorrow?” His dark brows lift in question, seafoam gaze lingering on the other man – content to be turned away if need be, but figuring he should ask anyway before he already made plans as to where he might stay for the night.

thorn

— getting crucified,
every time you cross my mind //

Just smile and be happy.

Zavien's eyes light up at the question and he responds without hesitating,"Of course! I've got a pretty large bed. Or if you're not comfortable with that, I have a pullout couch in the living room that I can sleep on. There's a leak in the roof and I don't have a lot of snacks, but the fireplace is functional and someone really cool helped me decorate the outside." His mouth is wide in an excited smile. He hadn't expected Hawthorn to take up his offer so quickly, but he is overjoyed at the opportunity to have a friend share his home. In fact, he's so excited that when Erica places a bowl of rice pudding in front of him, his appetite is already refreshed.

Smiling mostly to himself, he lifts his spoon to dig in when a smack echoes through the air and he feels the sting on his hand. Zavien drops the spoon and looks at Erica with huge puppy eyes. "What?" It comes out as more like a whine, but his feelings are hurt. He is really looking forward to the dessert. However, Erica's vicious glare shuts him up quickly. Instead, she turns to Hawthorn with an anticipatory expression, gesturing to the rice pudding. "Guests first." He isn't going to mention that he could also be considered a guest. Rather, he watches Hawthorn closely, waiting for the verdict on his personal favorite dessert.

Zavien

// and it's alright, that's the way i like it —

Seeing Zavien light up at the acceptance of his offer has the courtesan relaxing immediately – his shoulders loosening some tension as he laughs a soft sound and shrugs, completely content with wherever. Besides, it isn’t like he hasn’t shared a bed platonically before. “I don’t mind sharin’. Don’t want you to work too hard after such short’ve notice.” Thorn offers with an easy smile, one blooming more genuinely as he reflects on the compliment. “You’ve got a nice place, even if the roof leaks. And now it sounds like you’ll have a lot of people enjoyin’ your decorations.” He tacks on about the time that Erica is setting the pudding bowl down.

Watching curiously as Zavien starts to dive in, Thorn is equally just as shocked when the smack echoes, his seafoam gaze lifting immediately to the chef with raised brows. “Yes ma’am.” Thorn says immediately, plucking the spoon from the table and takes a bite almost comically quickly so that Zavien could enjoy it as soon as possible. What he doesn’t expect is how incredible it is. Once again stunned into silence (and as close to that same look that Remy in Ratatouille has when he’s smelling all the ingredients and having the time of his life) Thorn flashes a very content smile to Erica. “This’s really, really good.” He compliments, immediately going for a second bite despite how full he still is.

thorn

— getting crucified,
every time you cross my mind //

Just smile and be happy.

Grinning like an idiot from ear to ear, Zavien nods his head in confirmation. "It's settled then! You'll stay with me." He feels like a kid who just got permission for a sleepover and he's trying not to scare Hawthorn away with his excitement as he squirms in his seat. "That's the best part! Maybe if they can smile at the exterior, they'll feel enough joy to pass it on." It's a simple-minded, naive view, but his mom had always said that smiles are contagious. He just hopes to spread the disease of happiness.

Zavien almost laughs aloud at Hawthorn's wide-eyed expression, but he honestly doesn't blame the man. Erica is not one to be disobeyed and she takes her food very seriously. With a shared smile, he looks to Erica's beaming face. Rather than blush bashfully at the compliment, she nods her head in satisfaction and begins cleaning their soup bowls. "Of course it is! I made it." The assured confidence is so commonplace that Zavien just shakes his head in disbelief. He wishes he could borrow some of that!

Checking to make sure the coast is clear, he starts to inhale his own pudding just slow enough to savor each creamy bite. Although, it still only takes him a matter of seconds to lick the final remnants of evidence clean, sighing in utter contentment and letting his eyes drift shut. Without opening them, he says, "You never disappoint, Erica." The bulge of his stomach presses against his trousers, giving him the inkling that he may have to roll home. Zavien peaks one green eye open to meet her smile with his own. She pats him on the cheek affectionately, having to strain over the counter to reach. "And it's always great to see you, Z." As the bustle of customers increases in volume, she puts on her businesswoman persona and shoos them. "Now off with you two! I need to fill these seats with paying customers."

Groaning good-naturedly, he flops from his chair, trying to hold himself together with his hands. Giving Erica a final wave, he grins. "Thanks again, Erica! See you next time!" Without missing a beat, she shouts after him, "You better be back sooner than last time!" She softens her voice and looks to Hawthorn. "And it was a pleasure to meet you, dear. I will see you back." There is not room for argument, just a settled certainty that has Zavien shaking his head once again as he steps back out onto the cold street, the dumb grin still plastered on his face.

Zavien

// and it's alright, that's the way i like it —

“I’m thinkin’ they will.” Thorn offers with quite a content and happy smile for Zavien. He supposes he, too, spreads happiness with his clients that come and visit him. But that’s besides the point, and probably a bit more in depth than anyone’s looking at right now. At least he’s pulled from his wandering thoughts as Erica’s voice reaches him and he looks at her with a look of surprise, obliging and obeying the woman as he devours the rice pudding with room in his stomach he hadn’t known was there before.

Thorn thinks that he too could stand to learn something from the woman, drawing silent as he finishes his bowl and nods his agreement with Zavien’s sentiments, before a soft laugh leaves him at her quip of paying customers. He’d fully intended to pay, but he won’t say no to a delicious and free meal. “Thank you. I’ll definitely be comin’ back.”

So he pulls himself away from the table with his own parting thanks again before his seafoam gaze focused on the Accepted once more, following him at his side until they get back onto any kind of familiar road (none of it is too familiar for Thorn, unfortunately). “That was really good. Feel like I’m gonna explode.” He comments with a chime of a laugh.

thorn

— getting crucified,
every time you cross my mind //

Just smile and be happy.

Stepping back into the plaza, Zavien realizes that the sun has started to make its descent in the sky. The fading sunlight takes what little heat remains with it, causing his breath to fog, yet he doesn't feel the chill as his body attempts to digest the mountain of food in his stomach. He chuckles at Hawthorn's words, grimacing slightly as it pushes against his ballooned abdomen. "That's an understatement!" Rubbing his belly in appreciation, he looks to the courtesan with an apologetic smile. "Although I probably should have warned you about Erica. You may have picked somewhere else if you had all the facts." He knows it's unlikely, but he still feels bad that the man got blind-sided by her robust personality.

His eyes roam the streets as the atmosphere shifts from marketplace madness to music, dancing, and glittering lights. A few children giggle, running through the legs of socializing adults who look a little less steady on their feet, laughing lightly and leaning on each other. The celebrations are so full of life that Zavien has to smile in delight. He steps cheerfully in time with the music and leads the way back towards his home. As they pass the through the bright plaza, he glances at Hawthorn to make sure he doesn't lose the man in the crowds. Raising his voice to be heard over the din, he asks, "Do you want to walk off the food or get back to my place and sleep it off?"

Zavien

// and it's alright, that's the way i like it —

“Really is.” Thorn offers with a light laugh, shrugging a shoulder slightly as if it might alleviate tension in his gut from all the food that feels like he might die if he considers moving even more than he already is. Either way, he catches Zavien’s apologetic smile and waves him off, shaking his head as he snickers a bit more. “No, it was nice. She reminded me of my mom, actually.” Which had been a nice bout of nostalgia he hadn’t known he’d needed.

Dusk hits as they walk, though, and music embraces the square and people start to dance and lights start to glimmer, and it seems almost like it’s come from one of those fantasy books Thorn has read, so much so that he bumps into Zavien as he remains at his side but takes it all in, fully unaware of his surroundings. “Huh? Oh.” The courtesan looks over at Zavien with an easy smile, a touch apologetic to mirror the one the Accepted had given him previously. “I think if I’m s’posed to gain some weight, walkin’ it off won’t help next time I see her.” He teases, before he shakes his head and laughs a little again. “Honestly though I think I’ll die if I have to walk it off more.” Here his tone takes on a bit of a whine, looking up at Zavien with seafoam eyes that are more akin to a puppy dog kind of stare to request that they just go back and sleep.

thorn

— getting crucified,
every time you cross my mind //

Just smile and be happy.

Zavien is relieved to hear that Hawthorn wasn't too overwhelmed by Erica. With a pure smile at the motherly comparison, he says with pretend exasperation, "Yeah... she has a tendency to do that." After his mom passed, she'd practically dragged him to her shop every night, force feeding him until he felt like a walking pinata. Not that he blames her. He was a scrawny kid who'd just lost his only source of meals and maternal guidance. Erica stepped in and he never looked back.

The festivities have a dreamy hue that draws his attention, but Hawthorn bumping into him keeps his focus on their ultimate objective. He can't blame the man for having difficulty walking and he speaks only the truth about gaining weight. Erica would be proud to hear that her commands were being taken seriously. Chuckling at Hawthorn's pleading expression, he wraps his arm around the man's shoulders. "How could I say no to that face? Let's get out of this crowded street and pass out." Guiding him along the edge of the plaza, they approach the glittering outside of his house in a few short minutes.

He opens the door and beckons Hawthorn inside. "Please, make yourself at home!" The humble living room contains a pair of chairs around a fireplace that Zavien promptly lights to a low burn. A slow drip sounds from the corner into a bucket as the soft crackles of the fire start. Pointing to the only other door, he says, "The bedroom is through here." Stepping inside, he piles a few extra blankets onto the modest bed and pulls off his boots in preparation for sleep. Suddenly plagued by exhaustion, he yawns loudly, laughing at the end. "Let's get to bed before I fall asleep standing up." Giving Hawthorn a smile, he flops down.

Zavien