open: 04/28 - 05/04

[thelittlemerman]

a. keeping the deal

Sometimes Finnick wishes he were a lord of greater importance.

The deal he made with Sylvia had implications for all the fae living in the mortal realm, and it's fallen to Finnick to try and keep them in line on the Seelie side of things. He's being quite vigilant about it, lest Sylvia's looking for any opportunity to break it off, but the fact that he's a lesser lord makes it just a bit more challenging. Finnick's good at being charming and threatening, often at the same time, but putting in the extra work when a fae only wants to listen to greater lords is not really his cup of tea.

Regardless, he presses on, maintaining a presence wherever fae congregate in the mortal realm so he can dissolve any problematic situations before they really get going. He's in bars and coffee shops and late night pizza places, following the scent of fae magic whenever he has a moment to spare to make sure there isn't any trouble brewing. It always starts casually, with a wry smile, but if it escalates to threats Finnick always manages to deliver them coated in honey and venom. It's the final week before the election, and he'd hate for it to blow up in his face now.

b. off the clock

With all the work he's doing making sure the fae maintain a facade of cooperation, Finnick finds himself trying to find a little peace and quiet when he's not actively watching over other fae. He spends most of his time with Annie, but when she's busy with Hillingdon or spending some time with her grandmother, he finds himself out in the city. He's always enjoyed the culture of London; and he can be found sometimes in the back of a bar watching a local musician, or wandering a small gallery in the morning when it's quiet.

Otherwise it's the same old routine. He spends time with Annie, runs errands, spends more time with Annie, and tries to relax. With the election coming up, it's not always easy.

[If you want a different/more specific prompt just PM me or hit up dreamalittlebigger. Also if you want brackets instead of prose just do your thing and I'll respond in kind!]

Comments

a.

[aglaochartos]

When one is a lurker, they're bound to notice other lurkers.

Being especially interested in the darker underside to the election, Henry had been placing himself in areas where trouble might arise. Not to fix some of it himself-- just to observe it, still getting a lay of a land, a feel for who might win the power struggle.

But there's no pretending he hasn't seen this man's face before at this particular cafe, or that having noticed him, the man wouldn't also recognize him. So, putting his book, he'd tilt a nod at Finnick in greeting-- an invitation, should he like some company for a few minutes. One he hoped seemed harmless enough.

[thelittlemerman]

With all the fae magic around, Finnick had barely noticed a witch come in and sit down. This particular cafe is usually bustling with fae - there's a barista who enchants drinks whenever another fae comes in, and Finnick has had her lucky coffee on more than one occasion - so he never really worries about other types coming and going. When he makes eye contact with Henry, his eyebrows knit together in concern momentarily, but he picks up his coffee and walks over, pulling out the chair and sitting down without any further invitation.

He leans back in his chair and gives Henry a friendly smile before he says, "you look like you're here to make trouble."

[aglaochartos]

"To observe." Corrected, going to put his hands around his lukewarm coffee cup. "The territorial disputes and the elections going on throughout this city are curious to a newcomer."

But, just to be certain, as he'd really not like to spend his evening being the punctuation mark for chaos or concern: "Forgive me, then, if I'm intruding. They make a very fine noisette here."

[thelittlemerman]

"Not at all," Finnick says, although he will be watching Henry carefully. "I don't control who comes and goes, after all."

His expression shifts to a thoughtful frown. "I do envy the luxury you have of simply being curious about our territories and elections, however."

[aglaochartos]

"No, but you're here often enough."

Like he said; he'd been watching.

"Are you not visiting out of curiosity yourself, then?" Observing and prying were different matters. If he wasn't wont to speak about it, Henry didn't intend to force him.

[thelittlemerman]

"No," Finnick admits, looking down at his coffee. "More out of obligation."

[aglaochartos]

"Obligation?" Tilting his head. "Not one you look thrilled about, if I can be blunt."

b

[anniesgonemad]

"Finnick?" Annie waves her hand gently in front of his eyes, leaning over across the small table. "Finnick, are you okay?" She zoned out on him often enough, though that was an actual medical ordeal, but Finnick had seemed so stressed out lately, so much on his mind... Annie had to check.

She's abandoned her small coffee in favor of looking at him carefully. It was so wonderful to be in public with him. Like a normal couple.

"You're worrying me."

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick blinks and takes a deep breath all of a sudden, shaking his head like he's trying to shake out sleepiness, and then he leans forward to take her hand with a warm smile.

"I'm fine," he says, and he really means it, "just... thinking."

[anniesgonemad]

Annie squeezes his hand in response.

"about what?" he's been so distracted, but she doesn't blame him. "the elections again?"

[thelittlemerman]

His smile turns bashful and he rubs his thumb over the top of Annie's hand. "I'm sorry I've been so busy with it lately," he says, "but it's almost over and the deal will be fulfilled."

[anniesgonemad]

"No, no, Finnick," she says, running her thumb over his knuckles the same as he does. "Don't be sorry. It's important to you." And that made it important to her, too.

"It'll work out. Promise." Then maybe she could have her boyfriend back for a free day. Just for the two of them.

[thelittlemerman]

"I hope you're right," he says, smiling softly and leaning toward her just a bit because it feels safer there. "Fae don't particularly like to be told what to do. Especially if it comes from me, it seems."

a.

[iustitiae]

Finnick might be following some actual lead, but Connor is just trying to get some coffee before class and work. His hours are so long at this point he doesn't really know where his breaks ever come in or when the last time was tha he had one, but coffee sustains him at this point so that's good enough.

He's surprised to see Lucky Charms here, though. He doesn't really notice that he seems to be in a hurry to do something probably actually important.

"Not having ridiculous cereal this morning?" That's not how normal people greet strangers, but whatever.

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick's not in much of a hurry, just warily watching a group of fae at a table in the corner talking about organizing some huge party. He's far enough away that he can't hear every word, but the gesturing alone makes him worry.

He snaps out of it when Connor addresses him, looking sort of like a deer caught in the headlights for about half a second before he smiles bashfully down at his coffee.

"No... ridiculous cereal is only for special occasions, I'm afraid."

[iustitiae]

"Oh man, all this time I've just assumed that was your go-to thing and it turns out you were buying for a special occasion? I feel like the entire world has just been turned upside down." Maybe Finnick even eats adult foods like oatmeal! Say it isn't so!

(that would also make him much more of an adult than Connor, who believes that americanos are definitely a wholesome breakfast.)

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick raises an eyebrow at him, smiling wryly. It's nice that there are no hard feelings after he turned Connor down in the grocery store, but hopefully that doesn't mean Connor's going to take another shot at it.

"Do you often think about other people's breakfast routines?"

[iustitiae]

Oh yeah, Connor is definitely...not going to take another shot...at this...

"Only the cute ones."

Whoops.

[thelittlemerman]

There it is. Finnick lets out a soft laugh, amused and knowing all at the same time. He learned how to turn down his magical attraction long ago, so it's not like it's a supernatural force that's prompting Connor to do this. Nope, this is just plain old human flirting. The poor boy.

"I see," he says, with a sly smile. "And what makes you think you'll have better luck today?" he asks in an inviting kind of way, like he'd love to hear Connor make his case for why this should be a successful flirtation. Humans are so much fun.

b

[falsify]

Hey Finnick it's your new best friend.

Eames arrives with a drink for himself and a pale ale that seems like it's Finnick's taste, (he's pretty good at that, it's his favourite guessing game,) and sets them down carefully before he takes a seat. He's been meaning to buy Finnick a drink for some time now, but there's so much happening all the time, it's rare for their schedules to line up on anything other than Fae Business.

"Nice night," he says, "quiet."

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick looks down at the drink, raising an eyebrow in surprise before he looks up at Eames. Eames has guessed correctly, he does generally drink pale ales, and Finnick even pulls a soft smile and nods his thanks as he picks up the beer.

"I've always considered 'nice' and 'quiet' to be synonyms in most cases," he says.

[falsify]

Eames huffs a small laugh. "Careful," he says, "someone might mistake you for an old man."

Not that he disagrees, but he's older than Finnick so it's okay.

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick smiles wryly. The concept of age is different for fae, and Finnick feels like he's so young and inexperienced, but also that he's lived far too long already. It's not a topic he likes to think too hard about in any case.

"Are you here on business tonight?" he asks instead.

[falsify]

"Believe it or not, this is purely a social call," Eames says with a smirk and raised eyebrows that imply this should, indeed be shocking news. Time away from petty squabbles and demanding mortals isn't as common as Eames would like these days. He imagines it's similar for Finnick too.

[thelittlemerman]

"Oh?" Finnick raises an eyebrow at him with a curious smile. "I apologize if I'm not much of a conversationalist. I've been talking politics for so long I can't remember what else I used to talk about."