Mir nodded and quickly made the tea. There were herbs and mushrooms and other such things drying in strings and bunches all over his hovel. He had often gone outside the city limits whenever he was laid off from work and foraged for the healing substances of the earth. A clearly handmade quilt was spread over his thin, hard cot. He got a jar down from a self after he served the king his tea in his only unchipped mug, and pushed the jar and a spoon over to him. “Honey, if you want it.” He then sat down on his cot and waited for the other man to continue their discussion.
Corbin accepted the tea with a small thanks, holding it in both hands. He looked around once, taking almost everything in with barely a glance. At least it seemed the half-fae had some way of taking care of himself, with the herbs, but it obviously wasn't enough. He looked at the honey once. He preferred to have it, but he turned it down all the same.
"I've come to offer you a position in the palace," Corbin finally said, once they were both ready.
"An… unofficial advisor, of sorts." It wasn't like he could be an official one.
Mir choked a bit on his tea at that. “A-a position? In the palace? Y-you’re joking right? I’m a mutt. There’s no way you w-want me in the palace…” He coughed to get leftover liquid out of his airways, and set the tea down on the table before rubbing his temples. “Ex-explain please…?”
(Oh hey Swim, can we do one of these? :3c)
(it's fine, no worries! As long as it furthers the plot, length doesn't matter much to me)
(:0 yes we totally should)
Corbin let out a soft breath, not expecting much more from a response then he got.
"What you are doesn't matter to me," the king said, voice quiet and plaintive. "It had never meant anything to me of anyone. It's who you are, and the things you can do, that matter. Not origin." Corbin set his untouched tea down in his lap, shifting to look at the halfling more properly.
"And I firmly believe you have the knowledge to be able to help with this war. Even your commanding officers said so, in their reports." In their own way, of course.
"However… You wouldn't be able to come in officially as an advisor. Unfortunately, my grandfather's laws would forbid it. You would need a cover, if you were to agree."
Dragomir shifted a bit, watching the king warily. “And if I were to agree, what would the cover be? I can’t pretend to be a bodyguard with my arm… I wasn’t even in direct combat in the army.” His voice was beginning to smooth out now as he grew a bit more comfortable. It helped that he was in his home turf now and away from all the fae-intolerant people that really caused his fear. He crossed his legs as he studied the king. He was much much different than he had expected…
"Well…" Now they came to the hard part. "There are very few jobs that would be open for you, and… only one of them would give you the ability to come to any meetings, or even be close enough to me to allow us to discuss." Corbin shifted some, looking up at the halfling again.
"Well, it would be… Concubine. Nothing would be forced upon you, of course, if you were to accept. You'd be under my protection, and I would never lay a hand on you in any way."
Mir perked up at that. “Oh I can do that easy!” He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, looking strangely and totally comfortable with the idea. He didn’t even seem to notice Corbin’s promise to not touch him. He didn’t seem to care about it one way or the other.
Corbin couldn't bring himself to be surprised by now. From the reactions of the man's neighbors, and his attitude in general, Corbin had a suspicion the man had done these things before.
"So, is that a yes?" The king asked, finally taking a sip of his tea.
Dragomir shrugged. “I’ll be clothed and fed while you use me and my brains, right? For the time that I’m your concubine/spy, anyways?” He took his tea again and gulped it down.
"I was thinking we could set something up for you afterwards, as well. You'd be taken care of for the rest of your life." Corbin knew the man would be able to retire comfortably, almost an unofficial noble.
"Of course, even if you turn me down I will arrange for compensation for your time."
Dragomir shook his head and smiled for the first time, his grin bright as the sun. “Not necessary. I accept your offer if you truly think I’ll be useful. Thank you your majesty.” He got to his feet and bowed to show his thanks. “I promise to be of the utmost use to you as I can.”
Corbin couldn't help but smile in turn. He was so glad the man had accepted his offer.
"Perfect," the king said, standing with a grin now. They were rare, the rumors saying he didn't even have the ability to. He didn't, not really. The only thing that could make him grin like this was the thought of this war finally ending.
"And thank you, Dragomir, for all the help I know you'll be."
Mir smiled bigger but said, “I suggest you save your thanks for after I actually help you. Do you want me to come back with you today?” He fidgeted with his threadbare tunic as he felt the beginnings of another bout of pain in his arm.
"You can if you wish, yes. If you have anything you'd like to do beforehand, or had a few days, there is no pressure. And, you'll be able to return wherever you like." Corbin was twisting his hair back up into the hood, knowing it might take some work before he was ready to leave again. He hummed softly, looking at Dragomir a moment more.
"I'm sure as soon as you're in the palace, my personal doctor will want to take a look at your arm, see if there's anything in particular she could do to help."
Dragomir nodded. “I can leave now, just give a few moments to pack a few things and say goodbye. And the doctor would be lovely, thank you.” He fished a knapsack out from under his bed and went to his cupboard pulling a few packets and jars out of it and placing them inside. Then he rolled up his quilt and pulled a ragged, patched grey stuffed rabbit out from under his pillow and packed those up as well. “Ok, that’s it. I’ll say goodbye as we walk out.”
Corbin nodded. He stood to the side, out of the way. By the time Dragomir was done packing, corbin had all of his hair back into his his, which was secure around his head in turn.
"Let us get going, then," he said with a smile.
Mir nodded and walked out, slinging the pack onto his back with a bit of difficulty due to his injured arm. He said his goodbyes as the walked out of the shantytown, leaving many sad faces in his wake. A few people now looked suspiciously at the king’s shrouded figure, many distrustful due to this new development. As they walked out through the darkened alleys, Dragomir was slowly dropping back now, getting more scared and shy again as more and more intolerant people appeared before they were back on the main street.
Corbin didn't pay attention to the distrustful looks, knowing and understanding them. Honestly, he knew just what the situation looked like. Still, things weren't as others thought, not at all.
The king looked back when he saw how Dragomir was not they were out in the open, lagging back himself. Corbin offered his hand to the halfling, almost like he was offering a protective wing to the man. Corbin wasn't going to let anything happen on their way to the palace.
Mir quickly took the offered hand and practically glued himself to the king’s side as they headed down the street. He decided they might as well make use of the walk and asked very quietly, “So how do you want to convince the court I’m your concubine if you don’t want to do that stuff with me?” He needed to know his situation so he could fully be prepared to deal with it.
Corbin moved his closet to actually cover Dragomir in turn, keeping the man tucked away from any watchful eyes. Thankfully it was enough to still protect Corbin's identity. The castle was also a straight shot from the main road, even if it was still a long walk.
"Well," Corbin said, barely loud enough, "We would still have to be affectionate, especially around others in general. And, you would be given more… Fitting clothes, from your new status. How much are you comfortable with?"
Mir relaxed as he was covered and instinctively snuggled closer. He continued to speak in the same volume, “I’m comfortable with anything as long as anything below my hips and above my knees isn’t showing…. though we might want to cover up my wound until it’s scarred over…. And affection…. I’m- I’ll admit it- a very physically affectionate person, so if you have anything you don’t want me to do, like kissing, arms around your waist, or something like that, please tell me….”
"That can work, then," Corbin said. "I'll have the tailors make something for you. Mm… Perhaps a single sleeved cover could work? It wouldn't be much other than an arm sleeve." Corbin had to think a moment on the last statement.
"Well… I will be okay with anything, so long as you deem it appropriate for the situation. I trust your judgement." The king offered a small smile.
“So all I have to do is act affectionate and walk around shirtless? And of course help however you need, and just for that, I get food and a place to sleep at night? Really?” His eyes were sparkling. Then he thought of something. “Will I have to sleep with you, or will you have me in another room and just spend the night some nights to convince every else we’re doing the deed?” Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t blushing in the slightest at the thought of pretending to make love.
"Yes, really." Corbin offered a sweet smile. They were closer to the palace now, the area becoming more and more exquisite.
"And you would have your own room, yes, and it wouldn't be often you would have to stay in mine." The king gave Dragomir's hand a gentle squeeze.
Mir grinned at the smile and squeeze, snuggling close as he gawked through the cloak at the surrounding buildings, thinking that Corbin might as well understand how snuggly and affectionate he was now rather than later. He had never been this far in the city before and his eyes shone as he looked in awe at the architecture.
Corbin didn't seem to mind how close Mir was at all, humming softly. In fact, the king even wrapped and arm around the halfling as they headed further to the palace. The buildings here are old, yes, but they were dignified. They obviously were expensive, even now during this time when they weren't able to be cleaned as often. There were more people here too, nobles and guardsmen and merchants peddling their goods. And then, over the next hill crest was… The palace.
It was massive looming over the city below, soaring towers and massive walls protectiving everything else from view and attack. Corbin let out a soft breath, smiling just slightly. Home.
While Corbin relaxed at the sight of the palace, Mir stiffened, the grandiose structure making him feel even more small and insignificant than he already felt. It reminded him of just how inferior he was to the man beside him.
Corbin glanced down when he finally became aware of the change in Dragomir, reaching down to take his hand again and give it a gentle squeeze of assurance.
"It's not as overwhelming closer up, I promise. The rest of the castle is quiet… Quaint, in comparison to what we see know."
