Post TNDG4 Ike & Soren

[i_like_ike]

[For somebody who just escaped a severely messed up situation, Soren's sure been in good spirits lately. In fact, to the point where even people who aren't Ike are starting to notice he's a bit friendlier than usual (though if they know what's good for them, they won't try to call him out on it). Still, the next time they reach a city, he does what he always does and disappears off on his own, eventually returning with so much in his pack that he can barely stand.]

I-Ike... can you help me carry this back to camp?

Comments

[you_like_ike]

[Ike drops what he's doing (throws some lumber he collected onto the ground) and rushes over to lift up that pack. ...Which he does with just one hand.]

Careful, Soren. I've got it. ...You sure bought a lot of supplies this time. Do we really need all of this?

[i_like_ike]

[yes good, Ike's arms save the day as always]

Oh, those aren't the supplies. They're research materials.

[you_like_ike]

Research materials? Whatever you're working on, it must be serious.

[Slings the pack over his own back, then slips an arm around Soren and leans down to peck a brief kiss onto his cheek.]

Anyway, welcome back Soren.

[i_like_ike]

Thank you.

[Still a little blushy at the slightest physical affection.]

It's nothing dire. There are merely some things I'd like to understand better.

[you_like_ike]

[Moves to walk back to camp alongside him.]

New battle strategies? Or something else?

[i_like_ike]

...I've never been close to another person before, so I don't know a great deal about what is normally done in a relationship. It never seemed worthwhile before, but I want to be a proper partner to you.

[you_like_ike]

Proper partner?

...But I'm already happy to be with you.

[i_like_ike]

I'm glad, but I hate not knowing what I'm doing. There's still a great deal for me to learn.

[you_like_ike]

Hm...

I really don't need anything "proper". But if it makes you feel more comfortable, I'll try to help.

[i_like_ike]

[and he does seem a little more comfortable at that]

I did some reconnaissance as well. I'd be happy to compile my findings, if you're interested in them.

[you_like_ike]

Reconnaissance? ...On partnerships?

...Well, okay. Let's hear it.

[Sets the pack down and crosses his arms.]

[i_like_ike]

It's actually quite fascinating. Did you know that the common people live lives just as sordid and duplicitous as those of the nobility? Just a moment, I ended up having to draw a chart...

[Starts digging into his pack.]

[you_like_ike]

...No it can't be THAT bad.

[Is there anyone as bad as Oliver??????]

[i_like_ike]

They can call a bit short in terms of scale, but i assure you, it's not for lack of trying. I'd initially set out to try and find examples of healthy relationships between men, but ended up becoming entangled in this—

[unraveling a scroll with a convoluted villager relationship chart on it]

Behold the complicated web of the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker.

[you_like_ike]

[Peers over at the chart for a long moment.]

...The blacksmith is seeing THAT many people? Where does he find the time?

[i_like_ike]

It seems like he has his apprentices do most of his work, but all the same, he has impressive time management skills. This one is completely in love with him and even covers for him when he has to lie, but why? It's plainly obvious he'd be more compatible with the tavern owner's son.

[you_like_ike]

I'm not sure what compatible means. We're compatible, aren't we?

[i_like_ike]

Yes, I'd say so. We get along well, and even if we're very different people, we complement one another.

[you_like_ike]

[Nods agreeably.]

Okay, so... what can we use from this?

[i_like_ike]

[wait, what CAN we use from that]

...Nothing.

[sigh]

If I'd dug up all this dirt on the nobility, this scroll would be worth your weight in gold...

[you_like_ike]

[Rubs his shoulder.]

Did you find any "good partners"?

[i_like_ike]

If anything, I've found that you and I are already the best partners.

[you_like_ike]

Hmm. So this isn't helping then.

...What about in our group?

I don't really remember anything about my parents together. What about... Largo and Calill...? Maybe Jill and Haar? ................Are Oscar and Kieran seeing each other? I can't tell anymore.

[Just confusing himself now.]

[i_like_ike]

...Huh. I'm not sure, either. I would assume Kieran would be loud and annoying about it if they were... or would he finally be satisfied and calm down slightly? Relationships are certainly complicated.

It's all right, though. I also bought a lot of books.

[you_like_ike]

[Peers into the opening of the pack.]

You really did. Are you okay with spending that much of your income? I don't normally see you shop like this.

[i_like_ike]

It's fine. I have a good deal saved up, and these were cheaper than the books I normally buy.

[you_like_ike]

[Paws through the books. Is that a salacious romance novel?]

Soren... I hate to say this, but... what if we asked Aimee? She comes on way too strong, but at least she seems to have ideas.

[i_like_ike]

[It sure is. There's something even more scandalous wrapped in paper at the bottom.]

Aimee? I want to keep you close, not send you running!

[you_like_ike]

...Point taken.

[Let's see what mysteries unfold here. Ike picks that wrapped item up.]

What's this package?

[i_like_ike]

[SWEATS]

Ah, that's— I have also been looking into... other things that I could possibly do for you.

[you_like_ike]

You have? Like what?

[Innocently lifts a corner of the paper.]

[i_like_ike]

[Soren reaches out, not even remotely quickly enough to stop Ike from getting an eyeball of dong on the lovingly but not terribly well illustrated cover of "TALES OF YE INCORRIGIBLE SODOMITE!"]

[you_like_ike]

[Ike allows Soren to take the book back from his hands as he considers what he just saw.]

[Fortunately Ike is the chillest guy in the troop.]

Ah. It makes sense to research that too before we try it, since we're both inexperienced.

[i_like_ike]

[Nods, uncomfortable but visibly relieved.]

The blacksmith recommended it.

[you_like_ike]

Is that a good or a bad thing?

[Flips through one of the steamy romance novels.]

[i_like_ike]

This did seem to be his area of expertise. That, and also after all I heard, I thought flirting with him might help get me a discount on supplies for the company. It did.

[Starts, like he just realized something.]

...Ah. Is that okay with you? It was for a discount.

[you_like_ike]

...His diamond-hard manhood heaved like a rowboat on a stormy ocean...

[Flips page.]

Of course it's okay, Soren. Our budget could always use discounts.

[i_like_ike]

Though it may be difficult to believe, that was the best-written one I could find.

[you_like_ike]

I'm not sure there's any practical advice in this one. I can't even tell what's going on behind these descriptions.

[i_like_ike]

[Looks down at the one he's holding.]

This one has illustrations, though they are not necessarily drawn properly to scale.

[you_like_ike]

[Leans over to look.]

...You're not kidding. Wouldn't one that big get in the way during combat? Or just walking?

[i_like_ike]

Just about everything, I would imagine.

[Flips the page.]

His friend here would surely have suffocated.