Please, enough of this talk of old men. You're going to make my poor bones ache.
[ But Thancred leaves the message at that, aware that Hilda might not consider him the same brand of "old" as Cid even though he often feels it. So it goes when you have an extra five years of experience that doesn't quite show on your face.
Either way, he's true to his word and makes it over to the particular tavern in the Luna area that they've both apparently visited before. It's just as rowdy as ever, and there's even a bard set up, strumming on a stringed instrument and singing sailor songs. He's a bit off-key, but most people here are too in their cups to notice.
Thancred sits at a table off in a corner, his usual choice when it comes to meetings such as this, even if this one should be quite harmless. As soon as he spots Hilda's bright head of pink hair when she walks in, he waves her over. He already has a foaming mug of ale sitting in front of him, though he's only taken a few sips so far. He hasn't been here too long. ]
[ Hilda doesn't actually think Thancred is Cid's level of old, but she doesn't have to let him know that. In fact his response makes her think that it might be fun to tease him about that very thing which is unfortunate for him.
Regardless she leaves it there.
The fateful day rolls around and she arrives only a couple of minutes late as she is want to do. Unsurprisingly she's a bright spot amidst the darker colours of the pub. But while her arrival draws a few eyes she doesn't seem bothered by them as she breezes by everyone towards Thancred's table. Sliding into the seat across from him, she grins. ]
I feel like I haven't seen you in ages! [ Leaning forward she peers at him as if scrutinizing something on his face. ] Did you get more wrinkles since I last saw you?
[ Never mind that the one and only time they'd met had been in the Horizon. But details. ]
[ It's hard to miss the way that pairs of eyes seem to track Hilda as she moves through the pub toward him. She catches people's attention due to her hair, her fashion, and Thancred imagines, her good looks. Even if her flirting with him had been harmless, he can't deny that she's the exact sort of maid he might have tried to approach when he was a few years younger.
Granted, all those thoughts are quickly chased away when she teases him and reminds him yet again of his age, causing him to sputter before he heaves out a sigh. ]
This is our first time meeting face-to-face. Perhaps my impression of myself in the Horizon is just a tad younger, who could say?
[ He knows she's just picking up on what she started during their mental conversation, however, and so he doesn't dwell on it for long, waving a server over so that Hilda can put in an order if she wishes. ]
I hope you didn't go to too much trouble on my account, by the way.
[ But she'd decided of her own volition to make a card deck. He must admit, he's quite interested to see what she came up with. ]
[ Don't worry, Thancred. Even if he were trying to court her she'd tease him in exactly the same way. And if that really were the case in this hypothetical scenario, that was how he'd know that she likes him instead of putting on some front.
She offers him a thoughtful look because that could very well be the case. But - ]
Wouldn't that mean that you were wishing for days when you were younger?
[ As soon as she's said her final word on the age joke, she's quick to place her order with the server with a cheerful air. With that sorted, she wastes no time reaching into her bag to pull out the gift. Without knowing how people carry their Triple Triad decks, she's gone ahead and found a nicely carved wooden card box with a wheel of the arcana symbols on it that she slides across the table towards him. ]
It was sort of a fun project if I'm being honest. The most annoying thing was not knowing what cards there were exactly - so hopefully you don't mind a few Abraxas variations. [ She gives him a forlorn sigh. ] But if you really feel bad about burdening me with this, I wouldn't say no to payment in kind in the future.
[ Thancred raises an eyebrow. In truth, he doesn't think that's the case at all. He was more troubled in his past years, and when he was even younger than that, he had been foolish and feckless. ]
In truth, I think I prefer having a bit of grizzle, so it seems I'll have to endure your remarks.
[ But then Hilda reveals the whole reason that they're here, and Thancred's eyes briefly widen when it turns out that the deck even has its own special box. Whether Hilda made that herself or bought it he doesn't know, but either way he's impressed. Flattered, even. ]
Of course I don't mind. If anything, I'm eager to see what you came up with and how you made it more specific to this star.
[ With that, he opens the box and carefully pulls out the deck, fanning out the cards to see what tack Hilda took. He glances up at her mention of payment. ]
[ Hilda's lips curl, both in approval and amusement at how easily he rolls with the punches of her teasing. ]
Spoken like someone who's been around for longer than I have.
[ Okay that was the last comment she'll make about his age for the next little while. The server reappears dropping a warm cup of cider in front of her and she smiles appreciatively at them before curling her fingers around the warmth of the mug. Settling back in her seat to watch him examine her gift there's an air of a parent self-satisfied that her present was being received well. It alludes to the prickle of anxiousness that had clung to her as she had worked on the cards over the course of the last several months taking her time to sketch and paint each one.
The cards at the top of the deck are ones she recalls from their lesson in the Horizon: a cactus with a funny little expression, the faces of people that she didn't know but were oddly distinct, creatures that didn't exist here but ones that she knows existed in his, a Demonic Beast, a moogle, and the small woman that he'd described fondly as Tataru. She hums in thought. ]
Gold seems silly. I didn't make this to be paid and I wouldn't know what to charge. [ Her head tilts. ] So just a favour to be cashed in in the future?
[ Tempting as it is to make some remark about how Hilda should take care to listen to her elders, Thancred is now completely distracted by the deck of cards. They've clearly all been made with care, and the fact that each one was hand-drawn is even more impressive. Not that there would be any other way to go about it, but the fact that Hilda remembered what he showed her well enough to replicate something like a cactuar or even Tataru in her own style — well, it's impressive. ]
I had no idea I had befriended such a talented artist. [ At one point in his life perhaps that would have been little more than an empty flirtation, but his words are entirely genuine. He glances up at Hilda as she nurses her drink. ] If you had wanted more card ideas, you certainly could have asked me, though there is something to be said for being surprised with the finished product.
[ He studies each card in turn, understanding how much work must have gone into all of them. He handles them with care, his touch light as he doesn't want to damage them or even smear them with thumbprints. ]
It will have to be quite the favor. I can't imagine how long this all took you, and the fact that you did it for someone you'd met just the once...
[ He shakes his head, his expression mildly stunned. And touched. ]
[ The comment being left unsaid is probably for the best because he might be dismayed (but probably not at all surprised) to hear that she actually cared very little for elders who hadn't earned her respect. Age alone didn't mean anything as far as she's concerned.
But seeing as he didn't, he earns a little carefree shrug. ]ย
I could make more. It was a fun project. That and you can't play this game alone, I'm assuming.ย
[ And she seems to genuinely mean that despite her typical aversion to work. Then again, this isn't really something that would fall intoย Hilda's definition of the word. Projects that she started, ones that she has a vested interest in, are more of a hobby than anything else. And if it's a creative project? All the better.
The cards were all thick, matte cardstock. She had wanted something that would last since they were intended to be handled and the inks and paints she had used were also set with a protective layer so that they'd withstand the oils from whoever touched them. In short, she had put a lot of thought into it. As to why, well - ]
It'll just be a little favour. And as for saying something, anything more than thank you will just embarrass me. I really appreciate that you took the time to teach me something and that you didn't just pulverize Mogwry into a ball of fluff and fur when he was being so rude to you.ย
[ Her smile warms into something a little more genuine. ]ย
And I know what it's like to go without having something from home for so long.ย
[ A fun project, is it? If that's how she views it, then it makes sense that Hilda would even be willing to make another set for the purpose of playing and distributing the cards among a wider audience so that the game can spread throughout Thorne. Or at least his small area of Nott, as the case may be. Or he could play with Summoned from other territories here in Nocwich. ]
I suppose you could play alone, but it wouldn't be much fun.
[ He laughs at his own remark, but while it might be tempting to continue to shower her in praise and embarrass her, he thinks that would be rather rude given that she's gone to so much effort on his behalf. ]
Then thank you. Truly. It is a joy to have a taste of home, and I know that Himeka will be thrilled when I show her as well.
[ Though she has another thing coming if she thinks she's going to best him.
While he could make another remark at Mogwry's expense, it's what Hilda says next which grabs his interest. A favor is one thing, and he would give it gladly, but perhaps he could find some more appropriate way to repay her. ]
What are the things you miss from home then? [ He takes a sip of his drink, taking care to gather the cards together and set them to the side of the table so he doesn't risk spilling anything on them. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Listen, it's a work in progress. And he's not technically wrong. ]
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ? ๐ ๐จ๐ถ๐ฆ๐ด๐ด ๐ช๐ต ๐ช๐ด๐ฏ'๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ด๐ถ๐ณ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ช๐ด๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ฉ๐ฆ'๐ด ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ต ๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐บ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง๐ต๐ฆ๐ฏ. ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ช๐ง ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฐ๐ฐ?
[ Worries for another day though. ]
๐'๐ญ๐ญ ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ!
no subject
[ But Thancred leaves the message at that, aware that Hilda might not consider him the same brand of "old" as Cid even though he often feels it. So it goes when you have an extra five years of experience that doesn't quite show on your face.
Either way, he's true to his word and makes it over to the particular tavern in the Luna area that they've both apparently visited before. It's just as rowdy as ever, and there's even a bard set up, strumming on a stringed instrument and singing sailor songs. He's a bit off-key, but most people here are too in their cups to notice.
Thancred sits at a table off in a corner, his usual choice when it comes to meetings such as this, even if this one should be quite harmless. As soon as he spots Hilda's bright head of pink hair when she walks in, he waves her over. He already has a foaming mug of ale sitting in front of him, though he's only taken a few sips so far. He hasn't been here too long. ]
no subject
Regardless she leaves it there.
The fateful day rolls around and she arrives only a couple of minutes late as she is want to do. Unsurprisingly she's a bright spot amidst the darker colours of the pub. But while her arrival draws a few eyes she doesn't seem bothered by them as she breezes by everyone towards Thancred's table. Sliding into the seat across from him, she grins. ]
I feel like I haven't seen you in ages! [ Leaning forward she peers at him as if scrutinizing something on his face. ] Did you get more wrinkles since I last saw you?
[ Never mind that the one and only time they'd met had been in the Horizon. But details. ]
no subject
Granted, all those thoughts are quickly chased away when she teases him and reminds him yet again of his age, causing him to sputter before he heaves out a sigh. ]
This is our first time meeting face-to-face. Perhaps my impression of myself in the Horizon is just a tad younger, who could say?
[ He knows she's just picking up on what she started during their mental conversation, however, and so he doesn't dwell on it for long, waving a server over so that Hilda can put in an order if she wishes. ]
I hope you didn't go to too much trouble on my account, by the way.
[ But she'd decided of her own volition to make a card deck. He must admit, he's quite interested to see what she came up with. ]
no subject
She offers him a thoughtful look because that could very well be the case. But - ]
Wouldn't that mean that you were wishing for days when you were younger?
[ As soon as she's said her final word on the age joke, she's quick to place her order with the server with a cheerful air. With that sorted, she wastes no time reaching into her bag to pull out the gift. Without knowing how people carry their Triple Triad decks, she's gone ahead and found a nicely carved wooden card box with a wheel of the arcana symbols on it that she slides across the table towards him. ]
It was sort of a fun project if I'm being honest. The most annoying thing was not knowing what cards there were exactly - so hopefully you don't mind a few Abraxas variations. [ She gives him a forlorn sigh. ] But if you really feel bad about burdening me with this, I wouldn't say no to payment in kind in the future.
no subject
[ Thancred raises an eyebrow. In truth, he doesn't think that's the case at all. He was more troubled in his past years, and when he was even younger than that, he had been foolish and feckless. ]
In truth, I think I prefer having a bit of grizzle, so it seems I'll have to endure your remarks.
[ But then Hilda reveals the whole reason that they're here, and Thancred's eyes briefly widen when it turns out that the deck even has its own special box. Whether Hilda made that herself or bought it he doesn't know, but either way he's impressed. Flattered, even. ]
Of course I don't mind. If anything, I'm eager to see what you came up with and how you made it more specific to this star.
[ With that, he opens the box and carefully pulls out the deck, fanning out the cards to see what tack Hilda took. He glances up at her mention of payment. ]
And just what would you have in mind?
no subject
Spoken like someone who's been around for longer than I have.
[ Okay that was the last comment she'll make about his age for the next little while. The server reappears dropping a warm cup of cider in front of her and she smiles appreciatively at them before curling her fingers around the warmth of the mug. Settling back in her seat to watch him examine her gift there's an air of a parent self-satisfied that her present was being received well. It alludes to the prickle of anxiousness that had clung to her as she had worked on the cards over the course of the last several months taking her time to sketch and paint each one.
The cards at the top of the deck are ones she recalls from their lesson in the Horizon: a cactus with a funny little expression, the faces of people that she didn't know but were oddly distinct, creatures that didn't exist here but ones that she knows existed in his, a Demonic Beast, a moogle, and the small woman that he'd described fondly as Tataru. She hums in thought. ]
Gold seems silly. I didn't make this to be paid and I wouldn't know what to charge. [ Her head tilts. ] So just a favour to be cashed in in the future?
no subject
I had no idea I had befriended such a talented artist. [ At one point in his life perhaps that would have been little more than an empty flirtation, but his words are entirely genuine. He glances up at Hilda as she nurses her drink. ] If you had wanted more card ideas, you certainly could have asked me, though there is something to be said for being surprised with the finished product.
[ He studies each card in turn, understanding how much work must have gone into all of them. He handles them with care, his touch light as he doesn't want to damage them or even smear them with thumbprints. ]
It will have to be quite the favor. I can't imagine how long this all took you, and the fact that you did it for someone you'd met just the once...
[ He shakes his head, his expression mildly stunned. And touched. ]
I hardly know what to say.
no subject
But seeing as he didn't, he earns a little carefree shrug. ]ย
I could make more. It was a fun project. That and you can't play this game alone, I'm assuming.ย
[ And she seems to genuinely mean that despite her typical aversion to work. Then again, this isn't really something that would fall intoย Hilda's definition of the word. Projects that she started, ones that she has a vested interest in, are more of a hobby than anything else. And if it's a creative project? All the better.
The cards were all thick, matte cardstock. She had wanted something that would last since they were intended to be handled and the inks and paints she had used were also set with a protective layer so that they'd withstand the oils from whoever touched them. In short, she had put a lot of thought into it. As to why, well - ]
It'll just be a little favour. And as for saying something, anything more than thank you will just embarrass me. I really appreciate that you took the time to teach me something and that you didn't just pulverize Mogwry into a ball of fluff and fur when he was being so rude to you.ย
[ Her smile warms into something a little more genuine. ]ย
And I know what it's like to go without having something from home for so long.ย
no subject
I suppose you could play alone, but it wouldn't be much fun.
[ He laughs at his own remark, but while it might be tempting to continue to shower her in praise and embarrass her, he thinks that would be rather rude given that she's gone to so much effort on his behalf. ]
Then thank you. Truly. It is a joy to have a taste of home, and I know that Himeka will be thrilled when I show her as well.
[ Though she has another thing coming if she thinks she's going to best him.
While he could make another remark at Mogwry's expense, it's what Hilda says next which grabs his interest. A favor is one thing, and he would give it gladly, but perhaps he could find some more appropriate way to repay her. ]
What are the things you miss from home then? [ He takes a sip of his drink, taking care to gather the cards together and set them to the side of the table so he doesn't risk spilling anything on them. ]