middlemuses | (no subject)

[One should not underestimate the ability of a thirsty dwarf to find ale. Even a dwarf that may not have the best sense of direction, and that has been thrown into completely unfamiliar territory. By whatever luck or good grace of higher powers, it turns out that Thorin and Bilbo do not have to travel far in order to find a tavern that looks rather like The Prancing Pony in Bree. The cobblestone road outside of it is cleaner, and the people - mostly humans - milling about this town seem less furtive and hurried than Thorin remembers. This place seems generally less perilous for the average traveler.

The warm glow from within the tavern shines through the slightly dingy windows, and the muffled sound of a merry crowd carries out into the night in brief snippets as patrons come and go.

Good enough.

Shouldering the pack that somehow managed to accompany him, and dropping a hand to the sword at his side, Thorin pulls the door open and heads inside without hesitation, knowing that Bilbo won't be far behind.]

((From over here, cause... reasons.))

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[ Thorin's mind was already onto the uncertainties of the road ahead. He has traveled alone before, but that was on roads he knew well enough, and even then he never would have set out on such a journey while wounded. He does not discount the abilities of his present companion, but he would rather that Bilbo be able to focus on looking after himself. ~~Coming to Thorin's rescue worked once, but he might not be so lucky a second time.~~ So, in that, Bilbo does have a point. Until he can move unhindered, he is at a definite disadvantage.

Of course, he's certain that Bilbo would prefer that he wait until all his wounds are fully healed, but more than anything he just needs to be able to land firmly on both feet without the inclination to double over in pain. Everything else is minor, in comparison, as bad as they might look, and will heal quickly enough, regardless. He still does not like the idea of staying around here, but... He does see the wisdom in it, at least for a short time. It seems to be a hindrance that he must tolerate. For now. ]

A week. No longer.

[ That does not change the fact that they need certain things, however, and he's certainly in not such bad shape that he needs to be doted on. Nor does he think Bilbo so helpless as to be incapable of taking care of himself for a few moments. ]

Finish your breakfast. I'll be back.

Edited (typos ._.) 2016-03-09 03:42 (UTC)

[ … This is Thorin, right? Pardon him for his surprise. Shock even. Now, hold on, Bilbo has never thought Thorin to be unreason... able... okay he takes that back, he most definitely has thought that. Often. Very often. So when the fight doesn't come, Bilbo is slow to believe that it's over. He's got his week's delay. That's all it takes then. The rigidness relaxes and his shoulders slump, the stubborn tilt of his chin leveling out and he's suddenly as he usually is, simple, placid, welcoming...

He even manages a smile. Good. Very good.

Still, he'd rather Thorin didn't go tromping off for supplies at the given moment, especially now that they have a week's time, but... Bilbo knows when to pick his battles. Usually anyway. So he nods and glances down. ] All right. [ And maybe that's why he feels compelled to say it. Now that all the brash, Tookish fight dispels, he's left with nothing other than his usual Bagginsness and it's so very easy then to revert back even further. Back to quiet thoughtfulness and gentle sensibilities. ] Ah. And Thorin? Thank you for, um, listening.

[ And now that it's out and said, he almost wishes to take it back. But manners are manners. And he does appreciate it. This. That change in Thorin's regard toward him. Perhaps there really is a chance for them to be friends. Or at least, functional comrades. ]

[ Thorin is already half-way out the door after Bilbo's initial agreement. He pauses with a slight turn when Bilbo hails him again, taking in the expression of gratitude. His own face doesn't betray too much, at a glance, but there's a rare openness about it. If only very briefly. He nods, and even though the words may be foreign to Bilbo, and spoken quietly, there is an unmistakable warmth to them that goes beyond even their literal meaning, which is a formal, even polite response. ]

Ya harmu 'addad.

[ It's entirely possible that Bilbo won't understand, given the hobbit's tendency to over-think things, but Thorin's not going to explain himself now. His usual stern countenance is already firmly back in place as he turns back to the door, perhaps pushing it fully open more abruptly than entirely necessary, and steps through it and out onto the sunny street without any further hesitation. ]

[ Ya ha... rmu... – come again? It's obviously Khuzdul. Traveling about with thirteen dwarves, with one who only speaks that language, has exposed him to it enough that he can recognize it, but the syllables are nothing more than meaningless sound to him. That's just as well. He doesn't need to know the words to guess the sentiment. Warm, gentle, quiet... the tone is pleasant enough and whatever it is Thorin said, it stems from acceptance. That's all he really needs.

… That rough exit though. Hm. That might make him reconsider his guess some.

No no, Thorin was agreeable just a moment ago, that's just... just dwarves having no sense about their strength and how to conduct themselves as normal, polite people do. Watching the door swing shut and click into place, Bilbo stands there for a beat longer and then goes about folding the map with a sigh. Thorin shall be distracted for... – he said about an hour? That should give him plenty of time to eat and bathe and oh, return the mug and—

His stomach growls. Right. Best not to get too far ahead with planning his morning. A hobbit should never plan anything on an empty stomach after all. So with one last glance and fold, he slides the map in his pocket, and there he goes, off to reclaim his breakfast.

… Though, maybe he'll bring it upstairs. That should be fine, right? He's going to return the mug anyway. It wouldn't matter if he returned the plate at the same time, yes? Yes. Because it's one thing to sit at a bar with the solid presence of Thorin next to him and quite another to be there by himself, under the stare of the innkeeper who must know about the mug. So Bilbo might just be testing out his burglaring skills once more, swiping the plate when the innkeeper's back is turned and scuttling upstairs for some peace, quiet and most of all, privacy. ]

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/tally

that's 2 x3

/stamps complete on thread.