like I said, the main game didn’t even start yet;

[unchangeling]

[ it was annoying enough that the cat decided to follow him home today, but Cromm supposes it can't be helped. though he's suspicious considering how willing Robin was in doing so in the first place. for the moment, though, he shoves that aside and shadow-walks them to the door before unlocking it -

boy was this a familiar feeling, though he was still on the fence if it would end the same way that it did at the hotel.

(probably)

he unceremoniously shoves the other fae into the nearest chair as he lets out a long exhale. ]

Stay put for once. I'll ... be back.

[ it's then that he realizes that someone else is here alongside them, and he's ready with a knife, eyes narrowed before he pokes his head around the hall and -

he does something that only a certain pair have seen.

he sputters. ]

Wh- what are you doing here, Coire? [ the tension and dark aura surrounding him dissipate immediately, replaced with mild confusion as he sheathes the knife for the time being. ]

Comments

[allinacon]

[ It had become a game for him really. Cromm was one of those people that proved to be interesting to poke at, and Robin was one of those people who couldn't help but poke at those kinds of people. He didn't expect Cromm to break down enough to actually invite him inside his house. Maybe smack him or lose him, but not take Robin inside the place.

So the first few moments of getting manhandled to a chair, he sat there in stunned confusion, his face set in a fixed grin while the other fae told him to stay put and moved on off. Where, he wasn't sure, though he had joked - several times until Cromm threatened to pull his tongue out - that the other fae had a secret sex chamber and that was why he did not invite Robin over. He was even going to say it, but snapped his mouth shut and slid off the chair to do some exploring.

But of course that was when Cromm's energy bubbled out and Robin had to see exactly what set the assassin off. Not that he expected to fight anyone himself; Robin wasn't helpless, but he knew that Cromm would shred people long before he could raise his hands. But that thought fled in response to the way Cromm sounded.

So cue one curious fae peering around Cromm's shoulder to see exactly who just made him stutter.

Which was cute. ]

Do you know that's the first time I've seen him sound cute while he's upright?

[unsatisfying]

[Coire doesn't often travel. Doesn't often drop in. But some combination of boredom, curiosity and desire got her out of doors. Nothing distracted her or caught her interests on her walk - the main reason she doesn't often travel far, revealed.

The idea of surprising Cromm didn't even come to her until she realized she was in such close proximity to his place. Which really just meant she had to act on that whim.

And, honestly, it doesn't take much for her to make herself at home. Even in a spartan room, there's a bed to relax on and room to stretch. Coire isn't interested in digging through drawers or poking around in rooms. She just wants to see Cromm's reaction on finding someone walking around the hallway in his home.

Which is, for the record, a great one. She laughs seeing his face contort like that with his sputtering. Not a harsh laugh. Never. Cromm only ever gets the sweet, happy one.]

Why, Cromm! I'd only come here to see you, wouldn't I? I'd think that natural.

[He really is cute.

Then again, so is the company he's brought himself. Trust a princess to take full note of that with a sparkling, sweeping gaze. She looks past Cromm only to address his friend with the same easy smile.]

Is that so? I've found he manages to sound cute in every position, really. Have I interrupted?

[unchangeling]

[ He runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head - though Cromm can feel the tips of his ears turning red, and especially as he can feel Robin coming up from behind him. Of course, it's like two parts of him are at war - his usual temperament of being the cold, stoic assassin colliding with how generally soft and more emotionally vulnerable he was around Coire and Cermand.

Cromm growls a little as he glares over his shoulder at Robin, before he looks off to the side, features softening slightly before looking back to her. ]

No. Not at all. This cat just decided to follow me home, is all.

[allinacon]

[ Was he actually getting flustered more? Robin didn't even try to hide the smile on his face as he turned to look at Cromm. He knew that he had to have some softness to him, but to actually see it, even if it was unwittingly on Cromm's part, was something he planned on remembering for a long time to come. ]

I had to see if he had a hidden sex chamber since he refused to tell me outright. [ And like the animal that he took after, Robin ducked under Cromm's arm, twisted just so, and managed to get past the other fae to step properly into the room. Also like his spirit animal, he doesn't bow - cats were known to believe they were equal with all ranks from beggar to king. ]

I am called Robin Goodfellow, a puck with no standing and little care; a free agent if you will, my lady.

[unsatisfying]

[Coire always likes Cromm's reactions. She knows how few people have seen that soft side, and it is all the more endearing to know that. And to keep witnessing it for herself.]

Followed, you? He must have some skill. I can't believe you would let down your guard for just anyone.

[Time for a better look at him, then. She's met many people of many races. There are plenty who wouldn't or didn't know to bow, but remarkably few fae who would choose not to. Coire won't pass judgement on that - not just yet - because there is something both impressive and intriguing about someone who could track down Cromm.]

If he does have such a chamber, he hasn't told me either. And it does sound like something he ought to share.

[And take her to! Honestly!!]

I will, of course. You did introduce yourself as such. It's a pleasure, free agent Robin Goodfellow. I am Coire Dagdae.

[unchangeling]

[ ... and this is why normally he wouldn't have let Robin follow him home in the first place. Cromm shuts his eyes with an exasperated sigh. ]

I wouldn't, no. And for the last time, I do not have a hidden sex chamber.

[ The look he shoots Coire says that he would've taken her there if he had one, but that's not what it was, despite certain peoples' apparent expectations of him.

Though he is putting a hand at the back of Robin's neck, gently for a split second before he shoves him down to try and put him in an awkward bowing position. ]

... it's a pleasant surprise to see you, regardless. I apologize if you were waiting too long for me.

[allinacon]

[ Robin could almost laugh at how much stress this was probably putting on the poor assassin. Almost, but he knew that it was a very thin line he walks around Cromm, and while he was okay with some violence, he did have a line which he did not want to cross.

Including getting grabbed by the back of his neck and getting forced to do something he did not want to do.

The puck snarled, a hand going back to grab Cromm's wrist and dig in even as he was pushed down in a bow. He fought it, twisting around and fighting the slight urge to go limp because as much as he was a cat, he was also a free fae and thus not one to play this game. ]

You protest too much for it to not exist. [ He hissed the words, twisting enough to look back at Cromm, eyes narrowed. ] How improper to play this in front of your guest.

[unsatisfying]

[Briefly, she wonders whether that move is for her honor or something quite different. Coire doesn't think on that long. It's kind of dry stuff, but besides that, the near violent reaction is more to focus on.]

Not so long that I'm bothered by it. There's no room for me to complain even if I were, really. I came on my own.

[The angry cat in the room, though... ]

Do let him go, he couldn't have expected me either.

[unchangeling]

[ He's about half-tempted to bare his teeth and snarl at Robin again, but then Coire speaks up. He blinks a couple times before letting go of the puck's neck. ]

I suppose.

[ He crosses his arms, not pouting but still looking fairly annoyed. ]

[allinacon]

[ It was amazing at how they manage to get along considering that they were always arguing about matters. There was an aspect of when they weren't fighting, they worked together rather well - Robin and his illusions helping boost Cromm's already stealthy skills. But as she could no doubt tell, they still got on each other's nerves a lot.

Freed from the grip, Robin visibly puffed up a little. If he was in cat form, his fur would be puffed out and his tail whipping around as he tried to smooth his fur back down. Like this, he settled for tugging his clothing back to reasonable shape, tugging his charm back to rest at the hollow of his neck, and ending with a flick of his fingers at Cromm.

All to annoy him, of course. ]

I had thought him to be far too prickly to have very many friends.

[unsatisfying]

[Well. That's interesting. She watches without comment, trying to figure this out. There's something to the bickering.

Ah, boys.]

I can't see why not. Honestly, he's so very sweet.

[Didn't he stalk around his own house with a knife literally three minutes ago ready to stab a man, Coire]

But you know him too, of course. However did you meet?

[unchangeling]

[ Okay no that one gets him to bare his teeth a little. Apparently being around each other brought out traits from the animals the two of them prefered to shift into.

But then he remembers who's also in the room with them and he opts to look more disgruntled than anything. And if he felt a little swell of pride when Coire called him sweet, he wouldn't say anything else. ]

I ... had gone to a casino, mostly to mess with a few mortals. He .. he was there as well. Apparently he had the same idea.

[allinacon]

I think you must see that side of him more, my lady. Then again, I do tend to bring out the ire of a lot of people.

[ He shrugs as he says that, knowing that he was by nature a rather different fae for most others' sense of responsibility. Free faes usually were, especially one that was prone to mischief and chaos as him. It took a rather stubborn person to stay around him for so long - that or be someone like Cromm who just seemed to always end up within Robin's usual haunts.

Really, he was beginning to think that Cromm liked him for some reason. ]

It was like that, more or less. He was in the same place as I and we ended up combining a few of our talents against some idiot humans that thought themselves wolves among sheep.

[unsatisfying]

Very possibly. But I find I often see another side of people.

[A more vulnerable, raw, naked side. Well, that's hardly a surprise. Most fae know how extremely open she is with those sorts of relationships. It does explain away her name. None ever left unsatisfied.

She does look pleased by the story. She probably would have enjoyed any, but that doesn't diminish a thing.]

It sounds almost thrilling. I hope they learned their place, or saw you crush their condescension into something pitiable. Do you often go against those sorts of mortals, Robin?

[unchangeling]

[ Cromm doesn't confirm or deny any of it at this point - it was a waste of breath when they both have seen the different sides of him.

So for now he only opts to nod to confirm the story, letting the two of them commiserate over it for a bit. ]

[allinacon]

[ Cromm looked like he was trying to not say or do anything wrong, which was kind of funny to Robin. He glances at him for a second and then turns back to her, his smile widening a little more. ]

Oh, I find myself playing with a lot of fools in one form or another. I am a gambler at heart, and it's so very easy to gamble with those that think they are better. They make for easy marks.

[ And he was going to move around the room to look, but decided that the best thing to do would be to lean back and look up at Cromm, all but purring. ] Of course, we did have a spectacular time after as well.

[unsatisfying]

I've never tried my hand at it, you see. Gambling. Perhaps I'll give it a try someday.

[Now he's speaking her language. Her own smile grows more teasing.]

I trust you fully enjoyed yourselves? It would be a pity otherwise.

[unchangeling]

I'll teach you, if you would prefer.

[ Never mind he'd probably want to go along as well anyway.

Cromm's body stiffens as Robin leans back against him, eyes narrowing at him for a few moments. He should've known. ]

We ... did. Yes.

[allinacon]

I don't know... Are you sure you want to learn from a rube? He still fumbles some of the quick palming techniques.

[ And he pulls away because he knows just how much of a limit Cromm had for casual touching and did not want him to get itchy enough to force him into something more ridiculous than a bow. Of course that meant that Robin just now had to explore so now he is casually walking around the room and peeking around things or poking them. ]

I'm pretty sure he has the basics though.

[ He glances at Cromm and winks. ] That we did. I think there is a table that will never recover as well.

[unsatisfying]

I'm fine with it. Starting with the basics is usually recommended. But I have no doubt that Cromm would be thorough with his teaching. I wouldn't let him shirk.

[that just means she can slip closer to Cromm in his absence. She isn't mean enough to drape all over him or start grabbing to embarrass him. It's fine to take up position at his side and just let her hips brush up against his as she takes her place]

Do you think they'll try to keep using it? Without ever knowing?

[unchangeling]

And I wouldn't shirk considering who I'd be teaching, either.

[ Honestly, he's a little insulted that Robin would insinuate he wouldn't know what he's doing.

He's more than okay with Coire replacing Robin at his side, though. Even if it does mean that the puck is starting to try and wander the apartment. A hand gently brushes against her hip before dropping down. ]

Probably. We used glamour to keep people away when we did the deed but afterward ...

[ He makes a vague gesture. ]

[allinacon]

We will see, though I'm sure he at leas tknows the basics.

[ Yes Cromm, fear a free puck exploring the room. He wouldn't do anything as rude as use his magic in another fae's place, but he does move things around a little and open drawers to take a peek. Nothing really big, just a general poking around before he just flops on the bed. ]

They had to refurbish it and I was scolded so severally by the old family for being such a pest.

[unsatisfying]

Yes, I know, Cromm. I can always count on you to do it well.

[She can't quite imagine that Cromm is pleased by the snooping, but she is sure now that it's only going on because she is present. She does seem to have a knack for distraction even in the worst times.]

Really! How sad. I didn't think anyone minded such little bothers when only humans were affected.

[unchangeling]

[ No, he's not pleased by the snooping at all, but he doesn't try his usual tactic of pinning Robin against the wall to get him to stop if only because Coire's there. ]

Needless to say there wasn't a repeat performance.

[ ... y'know, at least not there, anyway. ]

[allinacon]

I suppose since I'm no longer their luck, they don't feel the need to be so polite.

[ He stretched out toes and fingers curling and a strip of skin at his waist showing before rolling over so the his head was hanging upside down while he looked at them. The smile he gave Cromm was that of a very satisfied puck that knows he was getting away with murder in the eyes of all that was present. ]

At least, not at that particular spot. Cromm tries to make me shut up in the most interesting ways.