RP between Degu and Zoo
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Ganu — 10/23/2021
Ganu would be more than keen to hear about Maxie's family life, smiling wistfully at the man and at times silently looking between him and Elias. There was a real warmth to him, if only because he knew that Elias was particularly one of the sorts of people his clan had vowed to help where they could, just...maybe not in the way Elias is expecting.
As they arrive at his home he throws an arm tightly around Maxie and holds him firmly for a moment before giving his love to be passed on to Joan and Enfield.
Argus charges past and shrinks down to the size of a large housecat before darting in through a custom made cat flap (thank you Maxie), Ganu grins and laughs "Not so scary now, I hope, Mr. Blackbull. Lets head inside." he hums and heads on over to let himself in.
He holds the door open and perhaps the first thing Elias might notice is how tall the ceilings are, just a little taller than the troll. The house most likely hadn't come that way, if one were to guess.
The main room is a decently sized open area with a very large fur rug at the center of the room and cozy fur covered couches made of twisted but polished wood. There are a questionable number of plants in every corner and on every shelf.
"I have hot water, I'll draw you a bath" he rumbles and continues past the kitchen towards his bathroom, getting the water running.
"Are you hungry, Elias?" he calls from the doorway, leaning his hulking form against the frame.
Elias — 10/23/2021
The weary noble stepped in with a profound look of gratitude. He found himself to a seat and practically collapsed into it in an exhausted, hairy heap.
"Thank you... and yes. I am quite hungry. Last I ate was..." he counted slowly on his fingers.
"I ate a raw tuber of some sort two days ago. Haven't had much luck foraging beyond that. I never had to before now."
He eyed Argus warily. Little or not, he'd seen what the elemental could do.
Ganu — 10/23/2021
Argus sits on the rug looking innocently up at Elias with glowing amber eyes open wide, tail flicking slowly behind him. Expectant.
"Is that all? ...can you eat meat still or are you strictly on vegetables now? How about milk, cheese?" he calls out questioningly. One might imagine the home of a troll to be stocked to the brim with food.
The smell of scented soaps can probably be smelled from even the Livingroom.
"So... can I ask what happened?" Ganu appears in the doorway to the livingroom and leans into it "Your name was Blackbull before all this?" a small but vaguely sympathetic chuckle rises from him "It sounds like you've pissed off a fae or witch with penchant for irony, friend. Correct me if i am wrong."
zooophagous — 10/23/2021
"I'll eat anything at this point. I'm famished. I tried to do a bit of hunting but it turns out its MUCH harder without a horse or a bow."
He sighed and flopped over the seat, spilling over the edges.
"It sounds like you already have a decent grasp of the whole story, friend. I was out hunting with a hunting party- not for sustenance but as a sort of "activity of nobility." That sort of thing. There was this... white fawn everyone had heard about and we were dead set on catching."
He clenched his fists in anger. "How were we supposed to know it was some fae bastard's favorite pet?! Not like it had a collar!"
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Smiles softly "Figured I wasn't too far off." but the smile saddens as he hears of this 'pet' and the way Elias speaks about it.
So. Elias has been given the chance to learn a lesson.
"We must not waste that which we take from the earth. The beautiful creatures of this world or any other are not sport, nor trophies."
He stepped into the room. Maybe fate had brought Elias to his doorstep, well, or to Argus' mouth. The feline still stared silently at Elias like a little weirdo, tiny branch antlers atop his head.
"You may not understand now, but you will, I hope, in time. You are lucky he did not kill you." Ganu rumbles softly, there's no sympathy for Elias, but also no anger. Elias was set along a path, Ganu gathered, it was important he walk down it.
He turns without warning and heads off to the bathroom and the sound of rushing water stops "The bath is drawn for you, Elias. When you are done you can help me prepare dinner." Oh yeah nobleman, you're helping.
Elias — 10/24/2021
"I don't think you understand. It was meant to kill me." He sighed.
"Meant to have the populace turn against me violently. And it worked! You wouldn't believe what..."
He stopped and trailed off, as the train of thought got too painful to recollect. It was patently obvious he didn't feel lucky.
"I... I'll go get cleaned up. Then... dinner. Yes."
He nodded resolutely.
The bath was deeply needed. While he may not show it on his coat, the water quickly browned with the dust of a long journey on foot.
He would emerge smelling something like a wet dog, still damp. "I haven't done much cooking for myself, I admit."
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Ganu's expression softened a little "Don't worry yourself with the past now, tonight just take it easy."
When Elias emerged, Ganu was in the process of peeling some potatoes.
He smiles up at him and offers him a potato from his hand, along with a knife "You want me to show you?"
Elias — 10/24/2021
The noble gave him a weary smile. "Sure... do you just..." he sliced into the spud, taking off a layer of skin and perhaps a bit too much potato with it.
He looked a bit lost. "It is sad... I was supposed to be the principle leader of an entire territory and I can't peel a potato."
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Ganu hands him a sharp knife and moves to stand beside him, showing him in slow motions how he's doing it "Like so, try not to cut too deeply, else you waste too much of the vegetable beneath." Ganu normally liked to eat the peels but this dish didn't allow for peels, so they'd become fertilizer instead.
Argus seems content to just curl up on the couch in the livingroom and listen to them from a distance.
"It is hard to truly lead a people you don't understand." he says, repeating the slow peeling motion with the knife "But it is never too late to start." he tells him warmly and sets a curly peel aside in a small bucket nearby he'd been using for food 'waste'.
"Have you any family back home?"
Elias — 10/24/2021
Though a relative stranger, Ganu's closeness was a comfort.
"I'm not sure how to answer that anymore. I have living blood relatives but ah... most of them don't think its really me. At least one of them was all too willing to feed me to the mob when they demanded my head, too."
His brow furrowed, but his peeling did improve.
"I don't know that I care to lead those people after that, if I'm honest. I'm more focused on something practical for now. Like a hot meal and a safe place to sleep."
Soon there was a perfectly peeled potato. A start.
"So do you always adopt lost waifs on the road? Or was there something about me specifically? I know you mentioned being a helpful sort."
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Ganu tilted his head "Or maybe they need a leader who can show them not to behave that way in the face of someone different. But maybe that does not have to be you, maybe it does. You have time now to reflect on what you want." he rumbles softly. As soon as Elias is done with his potato he gets them a couple more and sets the peeled ones in the pot that already has several.
He cuts a little piece free and offers it to Elias "Something to tide you over? it'll be a while yet."
The question makes him boom with laughter, soon tittering out into quiet chuckles "Not as often as it may seem, But I do believe the forest brought you to me for a reason." he said, as if Elias' own footsteps hadn't entirely been the sole decider in his arrival.
"And Clan Eleos extends its help to those who need it, specifically supernatural beings such as yourself."
Elias — 10/24/2021
"Am I a supernatural creature?" He looked at his own hands, covered in hair and tipped in hard claws.
"I suppose... I must be. But it doesn't feel right to say it. This isn't me." he gripped his shirt, but calmed down and took the small treat Ganus had to offer.
"I'm glad I bumped into you, whether fate or luck would have it. I've walked very far with very few friendly faces to name along the way. I must be at least a bit tougher than I thought if I haven't died yet, I suppose."
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Ganu nodded "You are, you are a man turned beast by magical means. I'd say that counts." he hums thoughtfully.
There's a grin from Ganu as Elias speaks of his survival "You've made it far, I like to think that means it's meant to be so." Once they're done peeling potatoes he throws the last of them into the pot of boiling water and goes about chopping up other vegetables and tomatoes. Every now and then he stops to give Elias a small tidbit so he doesn't starve while he waits. The vegetables taste so strangely delicious.
"I'm glad you bumped into me too, friend. I'm glad for the company." he heads off for a moment and returns with four entire fat rabbits, all skinned and gutted. He's quiet for a while as as he stuffs them full of a herby stuffing mix and rubs them down with oil, salting the surface of the meat lightly.
Soon enough it's all cooking and all they can do is wait. He washes his hands thoroughly and heads for the livingroom "You weren't married back home? ...Rare to run into nobility that aren't, I understand that it's quite expected of most." he rumbles, heading to the couch and reclining across his side of it, leaving space for Elias to join him.
Elias — 10/25/2021
The vegetables were delicious, but at the sight of the meat, the poor fool began drooling. He wiped a long rope of it off his muzzle and into his sleeve with an embarrassed look.
"Not married, no. There was a nice young lady I was meant to be in an arranged marriage with, but to be honest I think we're both happy that won't happen now." He smiled bitterly.
"I don't suppose I'll find a spouse now, looking like this. Maybe thats part of my 'punishment.'"
He sighed heavily. "What about you? Just you and Argus?"
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu grinned, albeit he's a little surprised to see a bull drooling at the sight of meat. Obviously a true beast man, it seems!
The troll tilted his head with sympathy as the man discussed his love life, uttering a soft 'm' sorry' under his breath.
He's about to discredit any self-depreciation but the next question, though inevitable, catches him off-guard.
There's a moment where he's just frozen in place and then just sighs and nods "Just us." is all he says. Argus clears out to sit over by the unlit fireplace, stretching out and making room for Elias.
"I don't think you look bad at all Elias, there's more to a man than his horns and furry complexion after all" he smiles after a moment. "There's time for that, right now all you need to focus on is y'self."
Elias — 10/25/2021
His pause seemed to indicate a story there.. "Well, I won't pry. But truthfully that surprises me a little. Your level of hospitality, I half expected this place to be swarming with activity." He chuckled lightly.
"Perhaps you're right, though. I couldn't keep a wife very well at the moment anyway, much less a family with children. Having to worry about that on top of everything else might have broken me."
He tapped a finger to his chin. "Maybe here I can find a mate just as beastly as I am, and our children can get their antlers stuck in every doorway." He grinned.
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu laughs “hey now, what kind of activity are you suggesting?” He says playfully, seeming to set aside his earlier reaction.
There’s a more quiet chuckle at the moment of children, Ganu just smiles unreadably and reaches out to squeeze Elias on the shoulder “I don’t doubt it, Elias. You are a handsome beast man, I’m sure there is a woman out there who’d be happy to have you” he beams “but once you find your feet, or, well, hooves I suppose.”
The smell of cooking meat and vegetables fill the air and even Ganu finds himself salivating.
“This place might be a little more active, but I like the quiet. I’ve been gone for a while, only recently having returned. I find I’m having to get used to the rules of the material plane again”
Elias — 10/25/2021
He may have blushed at the handsome comment, but beneath that hair it was hard to tell.
"Material plane?... ah, elemental. Right." He nodded, as if he understood, though he very very much did not.
"So you were gone to... an entirely different plane? It sounds difficult and dangerous. I've heard of all manner of people and beast falling through the gates along these parts." He shuddered.
"Though I suppose I need to be more open minded. The so called beast men of Thornmouth have shown far more kindness to a man in need than anyone back home cared to."
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu's beautiful amber markings shimmer and pulse across his body, ending with his eyes as he thinks of the Plane of Earth "It is beautiful and very dangerous, the rules are harsh and different. Incredibly difficult if you do not speak the Terran language I expect."
He motions to his staff leaned in the corner of the room "I cut open a doorway and I step through. Every point on every plane is connected to a point on the elemental planes, finding a safe entry and leaving point is quite a difficult thing in itself" he rumbles.
Elias reflects upon his treatment by man and Ganu smiles sadly "Many are just scared because of what they've been told. For every tale of a troll eating a child, there are likely many equal tales among the fae of man hanging, burning or torturing their kind too. Propaganda plants its seeds, seeds grow into heavily rooted trees that refuse to budge in wind and storms." a sigh leaves his lips "Men like you are often the seeds of change, though you may not feel that way yet. Men who have walked in many shoes. What you do with this knowledge is up to you" he places a thick finger over Elias' heart.
"What you give back is yours to decide."
Elias — 10/25/2021
His eyes lit up as Ganus' markings began to glint with his recollection. Ganus, even being what the people back home would consider "beastly," had a beautiful way about him. Perhaps there was something there worth emulating.
"I'm sure you could write an epic poem longer than my tail about your exploits. If you write, that is. I suppose I'm not sure. Back home most people who aren't nobility don't really know how..."
He drew himself up resolutely. "But, once I'm in charge again, we can work on fixing that. Now..." he wiped yet another string of drool from his chops.
"Is dinner about done?"
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu pats his thigh and booms with laughter "I expect I could, Maybe if you stick around i'll share a few stories with you my friend." his stomach interrupts any further attempts at conversation with loud rumbling, and one really could say it was loud, enough for the troll's cheeks to warm. "Ah- I suppose it must be getting close. Come." he rumbles and pushes to his feet, long tail swishing behind him as he made off in the direction of the kitchen once more.
The meat needs a little longer, he goes about straining out the separate pan of boiling tomatoes and onions, puts the juices and veg back in and starts to crush it all down into a sauce, turning it and heating it slowly as he adds fresh herbs and pepper, along with a small dash of wine. It smells wonderful.
Once the meat is ready he pulls out two large plates and starts to serve it all up. two entire rabbits each with mashed, buttery potatoes and a side of greens, all drizzled with the rich tomato sauce. Ganu's stomach sings the song of its people the entire time. Finally he carries each and some cutlery over to his wooden dining table and sets Elias' plate opposite his own.
"I'm no chef, but I had to learn to cook at a certain point in my life and learned to enjoy cooking for myself and my friends. It's hearty home food, nothing as fancy as you're probably used to." he chuckles and sits down on a chair quite clearly made to withstand heavy people. The table is quite tall as well "Dig in."
Elias — 10/25/2021
He made a show of smoothing out his shirt, perching politely on his chair, sitting tall. He took a fork in hand... and his hand began to shake. Dropping the fork, he did just that- and "dug in" face first like he'd been starved for days.
Apparently he actually had been. He paused with butter drippjng down his beard just long enough to slowly look up at Ganu, clear his throat and sit back up.
"...Sorry, I don't know what came over me." He laughed sheepishly, showing off a gnarly set of fangs set into his monstrous head. A true "beast man" after all.
"It is very good. I might even say the best I've had."
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu can't help staring in surprise. It's not surprising to him in its essence, but to see a nobleman chow down like that brings a bubbling deep laugh to his throat "Don't worry." he says, sounding almost a little relieved. His own cutlery is tossed aside as if it had only been there to make Elias feel more comfortable.
He hoists a whole rabbit up in one hand and bites into it with a terrible crunch, not just the meat but the bones and stuffing inside. Sauce trickles down his fingers and he shamelessly laps it up. If they're to eat like beast men, well...that's what Ganu seems to prefer. And perhaps the display would put Elias more at ease in his new body.
"Best you've had?" he rumbles between mouthfuls "That's a high honor, thank you."
Elias — 10/25/2021
"The first good meal I've had in ages." He picked the bits from his teeth with his claw.
He seemed very content to leave finery aside and eat with his hands, seemingly having zero qualms about eating Clear through bone.
"I hate to admit it but I had been just eating whatever I could find completely raw. Made myself quite sick when I tried that on a mushroom." He cleared his throat and a small bone came out.
"I tried to live as a beast, but it turns out one has to know what they're doing to survive in the wild. Little guided hunting parties aren't really an adequate education."
He held his pinkie out sarcastically as he described it. "I suppose I'll have to get some practice... oh no." He paused.
"... I think I need to find a job."
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu didn't even blink as that bone came up, the troll happily scooped vegetables into his mouth between large bites of rabbit, the entire dish wasn't going to last long at this rate. One thing was for sure, his jaws were a powerful thing. "I could teach you. I grew up in the forest as a boy." he explains with a smile "I had to learn, though i'm a little more adapted to eating raw food I expect, I can help you learn to fish, forage and hunt if it interests you."
He laps up the last of the tomato sauce on his fingertips before greedily licking the juices off the plate as to not waste a single drop. It's a little hard with his tusks but they at least go off diagonally rather than straight so he's able to fit the plate a little closer.
A job is mentioned and Ganu grins, setting down the plate "One step at a time friend." he leans back and rests a hand across his belly. He could eat more, but that was nothing new. "Maybe we could traverse the city tomorrow in search of work you might be interested in, of course after I get you over to the immigration office. I'm afraid the day after tomorrow I'm at work myself, though."
Elias — 10/25/2021
He smiled. "I think I'd enjoy that. I've had enough "trophy hunting" for my lifetime. Maybe it would do to modify that into some manner of useful skill. I do hope I can eventually get my name back in order... but who knows how long that could be."
He yawned loudly. "I don't know how useful a soft skinned noble can be to Thornmouth. Seems they already have quite a few. I do however owe you a favor... possibly more than a favor."
He rubbed his neck. "If there's any way I can begin to repay you, please don't hesitate to ask."
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu took their plates to the sink and ran the faucet, cleaning his hands and his face at it before joining Elias in a yawn and a long stretch with his arms held above his head "Mnn well lets not worry about favors right now. If anything I'm enjoying the company, the house can get quiet." he admits and heads for the door "Let me show you to your room. I've not had a guest in a while, so I hope it's not too musty in there" he chuckles softly.
He'd lead Elias to a fairly plainly decorated room, albeit still containing some plants in a few corners. The bed was simple enough, black sheets but a large frame so any larger visitors wouldn't have their feet hanging off the edge. Ganu walked over to it and checked under the sheets and the pillows in case neglect had seen any insects or rodents move in but it seems to be in perfect shape.
"I hope this is comfortable for you"
Elias — 10/25/2021
"This? This is palatial. I just spent my previous evening literally under a bridge. This is paradise."
He tossed his cape to the side and pulled off his shirt as well. "I hope I'm not boring company... it is very likely you will arise before I do. Give me a good shove and I'll eventually come to life again."
He smiled then turned to the bed... and collapsed into it like a deck of cards. Nearly instantly, the room was full of deep, reverberating snoring.
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu blinked dumbly as Elias didn't even wait for him to leave the room. The troll stared in some disbelief as Elias collapsed like a heap and instantly fell asleep, smiling lopsidedly after a moment and chuckling "Sleep well" he says and pulls the sheets across him, tucking them in neatly before quietly stepping out of the room and heading to his own bed in the master room just opposite, climbing into bed himself and going to sleep.
By morning Argus would be curled up on Elias' bed in small cat form. The traitor.
Ganu would be more than keen to hear about Maxie's family life, smiling wistfully at the man and at times silently looking between him and Elias. There was a real warmth to him, if only because he knew that Elias was particularly one of the sorts of people his clan had vowed to help where they could, just...maybe not in the way Elias is expecting.
As they arrive at his home he throws an arm tightly around Maxie and holds him firmly for a moment before giving his love to be passed on to Joan and Enfield.
Argus charges past and shrinks down to the size of a large housecat before darting in through a custom made cat flap (thank you Maxie), Ganu grins and laughs "Not so scary now, I hope, Mr. Blackbull. Lets head inside." he hums and heads on over to let himself in.
He holds the door open and perhaps the first thing Elias might notice is how tall the ceilings are, just a little taller than the troll. The house most likely hadn't come that way, if one were to guess.
The main room is a decently sized open area with a very large fur rug at the center of the room and cozy fur covered couches made of twisted but polished wood. There are a questionable number of plants in every corner and on every shelf.
"I have hot water, I'll draw you a bath" he rumbles and continues past the kitchen towards his bathroom, getting the water running.
"Are you hungry, Elias?" he calls from the doorway, leaning his hulking form against the frame.
Elias — 10/23/2021
The weary noble stepped in with a profound look of gratitude. He found himself to a seat and practically collapsed into it in an exhausted, hairy heap.
"Thank you... and yes. I am quite hungry. Last I ate was..." he counted slowly on his fingers.
"I ate a raw tuber of some sort two days ago. Haven't had much luck foraging beyond that. I never had to before now."
He eyed Argus warily. Little or not, he'd seen what the elemental could do.
Ganu — 10/23/2021
Argus sits on the rug looking innocently up at Elias with glowing amber eyes open wide, tail flicking slowly behind him. Expectant.
"Is that all? ...can you eat meat still or are you strictly on vegetables now? How about milk, cheese?" he calls out questioningly. One might imagine the home of a troll to be stocked to the brim with food.
The smell of scented soaps can probably be smelled from even the Livingroom.
"So... can I ask what happened?" Ganu appears in the doorway to the livingroom and leans into it "Your name was Blackbull before all this?" a small but vaguely sympathetic chuckle rises from him "It sounds like you've pissed off a fae or witch with penchant for irony, friend. Correct me if i am wrong."
zooophagous — 10/23/2021
"I'll eat anything at this point. I'm famished. I tried to do a bit of hunting but it turns out its MUCH harder without a horse or a bow."
He sighed and flopped over the seat, spilling over the edges.
"It sounds like you already have a decent grasp of the whole story, friend. I was out hunting with a hunting party- not for sustenance but as a sort of "activity of nobility." That sort of thing. There was this... white fawn everyone had heard about and we were dead set on catching."
He clenched his fists in anger. "How were we supposed to know it was some fae bastard's favorite pet?! Not like it had a collar!"
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Smiles softly "Figured I wasn't too far off." but the smile saddens as he hears of this 'pet' and the way Elias speaks about it.
So. Elias has been given the chance to learn a lesson.
"We must not waste that which we take from the earth. The beautiful creatures of this world or any other are not sport, nor trophies."
He stepped into the room. Maybe fate had brought Elias to his doorstep, well, or to Argus' mouth. The feline still stared silently at Elias like a little weirdo, tiny branch antlers atop his head.
"You may not understand now, but you will, I hope, in time. You are lucky he did not kill you." Ganu rumbles softly, there's no sympathy for Elias, but also no anger. Elias was set along a path, Ganu gathered, it was important he walk down it.
He turns without warning and heads off to the bathroom and the sound of rushing water stops "The bath is drawn for you, Elias. When you are done you can help me prepare dinner." Oh yeah nobleman, you're helping.
Elias — 10/24/2021
"I don't think you understand. It was meant to kill me." He sighed.
"Meant to have the populace turn against me violently. And it worked! You wouldn't believe what..."
He stopped and trailed off, as the train of thought got too painful to recollect. It was patently obvious he didn't feel lucky.
"I... I'll go get cleaned up. Then... dinner. Yes."
He nodded resolutely.
The bath was deeply needed. While he may not show it on his coat, the water quickly browned with the dust of a long journey on foot.
He would emerge smelling something like a wet dog, still damp. "I haven't done much cooking for myself, I admit."
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Ganu's expression softened a little "Don't worry yourself with the past now, tonight just take it easy."
When Elias emerged, Ganu was in the process of peeling some potatoes.
He smiles up at him and offers him a potato from his hand, along with a knife "You want me to show you?"
Elias — 10/24/2021
The noble gave him a weary smile. "Sure... do you just..." he sliced into the spud, taking off a layer of skin and perhaps a bit too much potato with it.
He looked a bit lost. "It is sad... I was supposed to be the principle leader of an entire territory and I can't peel a potato."
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Ganu hands him a sharp knife and moves to stand beside him, showing him in slow motions how he's doing it "Like so, try not to cut too deeply, else you waste too much of the vegetable beneath." Ganu normally liked to eat the peels but this dish didn't allow for peels, so they'd become fertilizer instead.
Argus seems content to just curl up on the couch in the livingroom and listen to them from a distance.
"It is hard to truly lead a people you don't understand." he says, repeating the slow peeling motion with the knife "But it is never too late to start." he tells him warmly and sets a curly peel aside in a small bucket nearby he'd been using for food 'waste'.
"Have you any family back home?"
Elias — 10/24/2021
Though a relative stranger, Ganu's closeness was a comfort.
"I'm not sure how to answer that anymore. I have living blood relatives but ah... most of them don't think its really me. At least one of them was all too willing to feed me to the mob when they demanded my head, too."
His brow furrowed, but his peeling did improve.
"I don't know that I care to lead those people after that, if I'm honest. I'm more focused on something practical for now. Like a hot meal and a safe place to sleep."
Soon there was a perfectly peeled potato. A start.
"So do you always adopt lost waifs on the road? Or was there something about me specifically? I know you mentioned being a helpful sort."
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Ganu tilted his head "Or maybe they need a leader who can show them not to behave that way in the face of someone different. But maybe that does not have to be you, maybe it does. You have time now to reflect on what you want." he rumbles softly. As soon as Elias is done with his potato he gets them a couple more and sets the peeled ones in the pot that already has several.
He cuts a little piece free and offers it to Elias "Something to tide you over? it'll be a while yet."
The question makes him boom with laughter, soon tittering out into quiet chuckles "Not as often as it may seem, But I do believe the forest brought you to me for a reason." he said, as if Elias' own footsteps hadn't entirely been the sole decider in his arrival.
"And Clan Eleos extends its help to those who need it, specifically supernatural beings such as yourself."
Elias — 10/24/2021
"Am I a supernatural creature?" He looked at his own hands, covered in hair and tipped in hard claws.
"I suppose... I must be. But it doesn't feel right to say it. This isn't me." he gripped his shirt, but calmed down and took the small treat Ganus had to offer.
"I'm glad I bumped into you, whether fate or luck would have it. I've walked very far with very few friendly faces to name along the way. I must be at least a bit tougher than I thought if I haven't died yet, I suppose."
Ganu — 10/24/2021
Ganu nodded "You are, you are a man turned beast by magical means. I'd say that counts." he hums thoughtfully.
There's a grin from Ganu as Elias speaks of his survival "You've made it far, I like to think that means it's meant to be so." Once they're done peeling potatoes he throws the last of them into the pot of boiling water and goes about chopping up other vegetables and tomatoes. Every now and then he stops to give Elias a small tidbit so he doesn't starve while he waits. The vegetables taste so strangely delicious.
"I'm glad you bumped into me too, friend. I'm glad for the company." he heads off for a moment and returns with four entire fat rabbits, all skinned and gutted. He's quiet for a while as as he stuffs them full of a herby stuffing mix and rubs them down with oil, salting the surface of the meat lightly.
Soon enough it's all cooking and all they can do is wait. He washes his hands thoroughly and heads for the livingroom "You weren't married back home? ...Rare to run into nobility that aren't, I understand that it's quite expected of most." he rumbles, heading to the couch and reclining across his side of it, leaving space for Elias to join him.
Elias — 10/25/2021
The vegetables were delicious, but at the sight of the meat, the poor fool began drooling. He wiped a long rope of it off his muzzle and into his sleeve with an embarrassed look.
"Not married, no. There was a nice young lady I was meant to be in an arranged marriage with, but to be honest I think we're both happy that won't happen now." He smiled bitterly.
"I don't suppose I'll find a spouse now, looking like this. Maybe thats part of my 'punishment.'"
He sighed heavily. "What about you? Just you and Argus?"
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu grinned, albeit he's a little surprised to see a bull drooling at the sight of meat. Obviously a true beast man, it seems!
The troll tilted his head with sympathy as the man discussed his love life, uttering a soft 'm' sorry' under his breath.
He's about to discredit any self-depreciation but the next question, though inevitable, catches him off-guard.
There's a moment where he's just frozen in place and then just sighs and nods "Just us." is all he says. Argus clears out to sit over by the unlit fireplace, stretching out and making room for Elias.
"I don't think you look bad at all Elias, there's more to a man than his horns and furry complexion after all" he smiles after a moment. "There's time for that, right now all you need to focus on is y'self."
Elias — 10/25/2021
His pause seemed to indicate a story there.. "Well, I won't pry. But truthfully that surprises me a little. Your level of hospitality, I half expected this place to be swarming with activity." He chuckled lightly.
"Perhaps you're right, though. I couldn't keep a wife very well at the moment anyway, much less a family with children. Having to worry about that on top of everything else might have broken me."
He tapped a finger to his chin. "Maybe here I can find a mate just as beastly as I am, and our children can get their antlers stuck in every doorway." He grinned.
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu laughs “hey now, what kind of activity are you suggesting?” He says playfully, seeming to set aside his earlier reaction.
There’s a more quiet chuckle at the moment of children, Ganu just smiles unreadably and reaches out to squeeze Elias on the shoulder “I don’t doubt it, Elias. You are a handsome beast man, I’m sure there is a woman out there who’d be happy to have you” he beams “but once you find your feet, or, well, hooves I suppose.”
The smell of cooking meat and vegetables fill the air and even Ganu finds himself salivating.
“This place might be a little more active, but I like the quiet. I’ve been gone for a while, only recently having returned. I find I’m having to get used to the rules of the material plane again”
Elias — 10/25/2021
He may have blushed at the handsome comment, but beneath that hair it was hard to tell.
"Material plane?... ah, elemental. Right." He nodded, as if he understood, though he very very much did not.
"So you were gone to... an entirely different plane? It sounds difficult and dangerous. I've heard of all manner of people and beast falling through the gates along these parts." He shuddered.
"Though I suppose I need to be more open minded. The so called beast men of Thornmouth have shown far more kindness to a man in need than anyone back home cared to."
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu's beautiful amber markings shimmer and pulse across his body, ending with his eyes as he thinks of the Plane of Earth "It is beautiful and very dangerous, the rules are harsh and different. Incredibly difficult if you do not speak the Terran language I expect."
He motions to his staff leaned in the corner of the room "I cut open a doorway and I step through. Every point on every plane is connected to a point on the elemental planes, finding a safe entry and leaving point is quite a difficult thing in itself" he rumbles.
Elias reflects upon his treatment by man and Ganu smiles sadly "Many are just scared because of what they've been told. For every tale of a troll eating a child, there are likely many equal tales among the fae of man hanging, burning or torturing their kind too. Propaganda plants its seeds, seeds grow into heavily rooted trees that refuse to budge in wind and storms." a sigh leaves his lips "Men like you are often the seeds of change, though you may not feel that way yet. Men who have walked in many shoes. What you do with this knowledge is up to you" he places a thick finger over Elias' heart.
"What you give back is yours to decide."
Elias — 10/25/2021
His eyes lit up as Ganus' markings began to glint with his recollection. Ganus, even being what the people back home would consider "beastly," had a beautiful way about him. Perhaps there was something there worth emulating.
"I'm sure you could write an epic poem longer than my tail about your exploits. If you write, that is. I suppose I'm not sure. Back home most people who aren't nobility don't really know how..."
He drew himself up resolutely. "But, once I'm in charge again, we can work on fixing that. Now..." he wiped yet another string of drool from his chops.
"Is dinner about done?"
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu pats his thigh and booms with laughter "I expect I could, Maybe if you stick around i'll share a few stories with you my friend." his stomach interrupts any further attempts at conversation with loud rumbling, and one really could say it was loud, enough for the troll's cheeks to warm. "Ah- I suppose it must be getting close. Come." he rumbles and pushes to his feet, long tail swishing behind him as he made off in the direction of the kitchen once more.
The meat needs a little longer, he goes about straining out the separate pan of boiling tomatoes and onions, puts the juices and veg back in and starts to crush it all down into a sauce, turning it and heating it slowly as he adds fresh herbs and pepper, along with a small dash of wine. It smells wonderful.
Once the meat is ready he pulls out two large plates and starts to serve it all up. two entire rabbits each with mashed, buttery potatoes and a side of greens, all drizzled with the rich tomato sauce. Ganu's stomach sings the song of its people the entire time. Finally he carries each and some cutlery over to his wooden dining table and sets Elias' plate opposite his own.
"I'm no chef, but I had to learn to cook at a certain point in my life and learned to enjoy cooking for myself and my friends. It's hearty home food, nothing as fancy as you're probably used to." he chuckles and sits down on a chair quite clearly made to withstand heavy people. The table is quite tall as well "Dig in."
Elias — 10/25/2021
He made a show of smoothing out his shirt, perching politely on his chair, sitting tall. He took a fork in hand... and his hand began to shake. Dropping the fork, he did just that- and "dug in" face first like he'd been starved for days.
Apparently he actually had been. He paused with butter drippjng down his beard just long enough to slowly look up at Ganu, clear his throat and sit back up.
"...Sorry, I don't know what came over me." He laughed sheepishly, showing off a gnarly set of fangs set into his monstrous head. A true "beast man" after all.
"It is very good. I might even say the best I've had."
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu can't help staring in surprise. It's not surprising to him in its essence, but to see a nobleman chow down like that brings a bubbling deep laugh to his throat "Don't worry." he says, sounding almost a little relieved. His own cutlery is tossed aside as if it had only been there to make Elias feel more comfortable.
He hoists a whole rabbit up in one hand and bites into it with a terrible crunch, not just the meat but the bones and stuffing inside. Sauce trickles down his fingers and he shamelessly laps it up. If they're to eat like beast men, well...that's what Ganu seems to prefer. And perhaps the display would put Elias more at ease in his new body.
"Best you've had?" he rumbles between mouthfuls "That's a high honor, thank you."
Elias — 10/25/2021
"The first good meal I've had in ages." He picked the bits from his teeth with his claw.
He seemed very content to leave finery aside and eat with his hands, seemingly having zero qualms about eating Clear through bone.
"I hate to admit it but I had been just eating whatever I could find completely raw. Made myself quite sick when I tried that on a mushroom." He cleared his throat and a small bone came out.
"I tried to live as a beast, but it turns out one has to know what they're doing to survive in the wild. Little guided hunting parties aren't really an adequate education."
He held his pinkie out sarcastically as he described it. "I suppose I'll have to get some practice... oh no." He paused.
"... I think I need to find a job."
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu didn't even blink as that bone came up, the troll happily scooped vegetables into his mouth between large bites of rabbit, the entire dish wasn't going to last long at this rate. One thing was for sure, his jaws were a powerful thing. "I could teach you. I grew up in the forest as a boy." he explains with a smile "I had to learn, though i'm a little more adapted to eating raw food I expect, I can help you learn to fish, forage and hunt if it interests you."
He laps up the last of the tomato sauce on his fingertips before greedily licking the juices off the plate as to not waste a single drop. It's a little hard with his tusks but they at least go off diagonally rather than straight so he's able to fit the plate a little closer.
A job is mentioned and Ganu grins, setting down the plate "One step at a time friend." he leans back and rests a hand across his belly. He could eat more, but that was nothing new. "Maybe we could traverse the city tomorrow in search of work you might be interested in, of course after I get you over to the immigration office. I'm afraid the day after tomorrow I'm at work myself, though."
Elias — 10/25/2021
He smiled. "I think I'd enjoy that. I've had enough "trophy hunting" for my lifetime. Maybe it would do to modify that into some manner of useful skill. I do hope I can eventually get my name back in order... but who knows how long that could be."
He yawned loudly. "I don't know how useful a soft skinned noble can be to Thornmouth. Seems they already have quite a few. I do however owe you a favor... possibly more than a favor."
He rubbed his neck. "If there's any way I can begin to repay you, please don't hesitate to ask."
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu took their plates to the sink and ran the faucet, cleaning his hands and his face at it before joining Elias in a yawn and a long stretch with his arms held above his head "Mnn well lets not worry about favors right now. If anything I'm enjoying the company, the house can get quiet." he admits and heads for the door "Let me show you to your room. I've not had a guest in a while, so I hope it's not too musty in there" he chuckles softly.
He'd lead Elias to a fairly plainly decorated room, albeit still containing some plants in a few corners. The bed was simple enough, black sheets but a large frame so any larger visitors wouldn't have their feet hanging off the edge. Ganu walked over to it and checked under the sheets and the pillows in case neglect had seen any insects or rodents move in but it seems to be in perfect shape.
"I hope this is comfortable for you"
Elias — 10/25/2021
"This? This is palatial. I just spent my previous evening literally under a bridge. This is paradise."
He tossed his cape to the side and pulled off his shirt as well. "I hope I'm not boring company... it is very likely you will arise before I do. Give me a good shove and I'll eventually come to life again."
He smiled then turned to the bed... and collapsed into it like a deck of cards. Nearly instantly, the room was full of deep, reverberating snoring.
Ganu — 10/25/2021
Ganu blinked dumbly as Elias didn't even wait for him to leave the room. The troll stared in some disbelief as Elias collapsed like a heap and instantly fell asleep, smiling lopsidedly after a moment and chuckling "Sleep well" he says and pulls the sheets across him, tucking them in neatly before quietly stepping out of the room and heading to his own bed in the master room just opposite, climbing into bed himself and going to sleep.
By morning Argus would be curled up on Elias' bed in small cat form. The traitor.
