5 - Action

[mmmleather]

[Hello Vertiline temple district! How are you today? Still snowed in? Pity.

Surely, your remember the elf who left your sheltering bosom well over a week ago? On an exploration expedition? Well. He's back. And looks more like something the cat dragged in, rather than the cheerful, flirtatious elf he usually is. He's just... plodding wearily through the snow, making for the temple itself.

There's frost in his hair, and a definite blue tinge to usually tan and healthy skin. Unless anyone intercepts him on his way to the temple, he's just going to slip inside, and all but sprawl against a wall.

He probably should head to his pod, but sitting down is good. He'll get up later. When it stops being so cold and he stops being so tired.]

Comments

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[It had been snowing and cold for a while. Especially odd after a flower festival. Red wasn't much for cold, though he could stand it. Either way, today Lucas's hawk was taking a break today. Lucas was on his way to get some food for the both of them to eat. Perhaps Zeke would be there with that weird delicious chilly stew. Or that AMAZING drink.

Woah now, who's that staggering through the snow? Is that Zevran? He hadn't heard a word from him since their awkward hug-encounter. Lucas pauses for a moment. Zevran looks cold, freezing. Lucas's mind goes instantly back to the last time he saw someone like that. Remy.

He has to help. Has to. Lucas begins to rush to Zevran's side, trying to hide his panic.]

Hey!

[mmmleather]

[It takes him a little longer than usual to realize someone's speaking to him. The words are distant, hard to hear. But, Zevran hauls his head up enough to try and focus on the human.]

Ah... hello.

[While his voice is weak, he smiles. Even half-frozen he still makes game attempt to summon up that old Antivan charm.]

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[Whew, he's still conscious.

Lucas wastes no time. He puts his arm around Zevran and lifts up a little, letting the elf lean on him, but more or less carrying him.]

C'mon.

[mmmleather]

[He isn't difficult to lift. Even for an elf, Zevran was a little on the small side. He gives the man a look, when he's half-lifted off his feet.]

This... is a little forward for you... yes?

[But he holds on to the support. Body heat is nice.]

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[There's no blushing, no stammering. Lucas has a goal and he is focussed. His tone is immensely serious and he refuses to look at Zevran as he speaks. His eyes remain looking forward.]

Ain't gonna let y'freeze t'death.

[mmmleather]

[Maybe some other time, he would be delighted by this change. But, right now, he's currently more interested in the provided warmth of the man supporting him.

And, at least, he's started shivering again.]

That is... m-most kind of you.

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[Good. He's talking and shivering. Lucas adjusts his grip. They're almost to his pod now.]

Don't thank me yet. Jus' keep talkin, yeah?

[mmmleather]

Ah. If you i-insist...

[This would be vastly embarrassing if he weren't so cold. The warden would never have let him hear the end of it. But the warden isn't here. This lovely individual is. A lovely individual who is likely supporting the entirety of the elf's weight by now.]

Shall I t-tell you of the time w-with the merchant prince, and his p-prized pearls...?

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[Hoist! Over the shoulder you go, Zevran. Once Lucas realized he was supporting all of Zevran's weight, this was clearly the easier option. The pod's in sight now.]

Yeah? Go on 'n tell me that one.

[mmmleather]

[He grunts at that, but isn't in any shape to protest the treatment. The elf hangs like a sack of potatoes -- an attractive sack of potatoes, but still.]

Ah... yes. There was... the prince. Very fond of his pearls. Always... hiding them.

[He trails off for a few seconds, his voice and expression distant. Why is he talking? It's too damn cold.]

... In bodily places. Amusing diversion, to find them... until I hid them... in his throat.

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[Lucas laughs at Zevran's stories. It made him miss home a little bit. One of the best parts of having your guild run out of a tavern was the great stories about the kills. Lucas had a dark sense of humor.]

What'd he do t'deserve that?

[Yay pod! Lucas opens the door and carries the elf inside.

Inside, Red is perched on the sofa. He ruffles his feathers.]

[mmmleather]

It was Antiva.

[This should totally explain everything. He'd probably elaborate, were he not trying to conserve all energy to the effort of conserving body heat. The sudden change in temperature gets a little gasp of surprise out of him, and he lifts his head.]

Where is this?

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[Lucas gently places Zevran on the bed.]

's m'pod. Didn't think o' where else t'go. Now get outta those. Y'were wanderin' in th' snow. Layin' there in wet clothes just gonna make ya worse.

[mmmleather]

[The elf frowns, faintly, and looks down at his leather armor. Then back up at Lucas. One of his hands fumble for the clasps of it.]

This... this is so forward... and I am not even drunk.

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[The following is the most firm, serious and stern anyone has ever heard Lucas be since his arrival in Vertiline.]

I'm tryin' t'save yer life. Y'wanna freeze t'death? Drag yourself and yer mouth back out there. If y'd rather live, y'best do what I say.

[Yeah, he's getting frustrated. Maybe it would have been easier if Zevran was unconscious. Remy had been. That was a piece of cake.]

[mmmleather]

That... was a joke.

[No, it wasn't, but that tone registers moreso than the actual words do. Now that they're indoors, it's becoming even more difficult to remain awake.

His hand continues pawing at the buckles, until he curses, and tries for a different set -- fingers not obeying his commands.]

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

[Lucas groans as he watches Zevran weakly attempt to undress himself. The elf needs heat badly.]

Don't y'say nothin'...

[Have a little help, Zevran! Lucas' hands are working quickly as possible to assist.]

[mmmleather]

[He wisely keeps his mouth shut throughout the process. Either that, or speaking has become too much of an effort.

Thankfully! It's only light leather armor. There aren't even pants. Just a kilt... thing. So he lies there, his eyes slowly closing, until it's done. And when it is, there is a tanned and... tattooed elf sprawled out and dozing.]

[oneperfecthit.livejournal.com]

There...got it...

[With the clothing sucessfully removed, Lucas not noticed Zevran's asleep. At least he's asleep somewhere safe.

Lucas puts the elf's clothes aside and starts removing his own. Nothing sexual about it, Lucas was simply always taught that direct skin contact was the best way to share body heat.

Red makes a small noise and Lucas looks to his bird.]

What? Hush it will ya?

[With that said, he climbs into bed next to Zevran and holds the elf close, sharing his warmth.]

[mmmleather]

[Oh, how he would have loved to make a smart comment about this. Dearly. Or some horrible innuendo.

But... it's too much effort to think it up. So, instead, he lets himself be handled, and coddled, and... oh wow, this is really warm. Some part of him is incredibly amused -- it laughs, and so does he.

And then, the elf is out. Like a proverbial light, the shivering slowly starting to ease up.]