One Share = A Golden Kiss

[westfallcorndog]

 "Shit, shit, shit!" Harrow whispers frantically to himself as he powerwalks through the Nexus holding his bag close at his side.

He forgot! He totally forgot! 

It had been at least a week since Nekomata gave him his orders. Sure it was a holiday game, and sure it wasn't actually an order, but it was still a quest, and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to finish it. Okay, so maybe he's damned regardless, but the sentiment stands:

Ixis Naugus Must Be Smooched.

"Naugus!" he hollers as he approaches the mage's tower. "Ixis Naugus! It's important! Get your ass down here NOW, man!"

Comments

[westfallcorndog]

Drool level: CONTAINED
Enthusiasm level: UNCONTAINED

Harrowheart is a sad little man inside of a sad giant man's body. Naugus has made the unfortunate mistake of kissing a sadsack, even in jest. As it stands he gets to be the brunt of a few months of spurned affections. Harrow can't drum up the bravery to proposition Jim, for all he knows he blew his chance with Isidor and hasn't had the express pleasure of meeting her yet in the swap thread thanks to linear time and anyone else he might have been interested in has made it extremely clear that he's an unsettling corpse unfit for attention.

Does he love Naugus? No, not at all. He hasn't got any feelings for him, really, other than admiration for his magic and his unreasonable biceps. Would he take him on a date, or hold his terrifying crab claw as they walk across a beach, or ever do anything like this again? Light, hopefully not. But will he be a creep who directs all of his sadness and loneliness at an evil ancient wizard-goblin?...

Oh yes. He snuffles in on that kiss like a pig rooting for truffles, like a dog eating out of a popcorn bag, like so many horrible, unsaid things.

This most unfortunate of jokes has gone too far, and the rumor demon will feast heartily tonight.

[ixis]

Whoa! Hey now, friendo. He doesn't expect that enthusiasm. It makes Naugus tilt his head back slightly, one eye flicking back open. There's a small 'mmf', one ear quirking upright in curiosity.

He waits until Harrow notices that he's stopped returning this smooch-for-a-prize affection before he says, "I'm not sure that'll photograph well." A glance again at the phone. "Did you even take one?"

Another pause before also asking, "Are you sure you were put up to this?"

[westfallcorndog]

Harrow's hands fumble the phone and he nearly drops it. He stammers a non-answer of vowels and grunts as he turns his head away from Naugus. Shame, shame, terrible shame. His ears press flat against his mane and he rubs at his snout with one hand.

"I– I'm sorry. I'm weird. I'm bein' weird," he mumbles. His hand with the phone floats towards his pocket and goes to slip it in and out of sight.

"You think I oughta go? Just pretend I never showed up, maybe?" It's hard to look at Naugus when he asks that, but at least the guy doesn't look too angry with him.

[ixis]

"But you didn't even get a picture! How are we going to win this without it!? Get back here." Competitiveness is in full swing now. He tugs at Harrowheart's arm, not letting this nerd escape yet!

"It wasn't even that bad. You can kiss in this form! A fine discovery. I won't have to pretend to enjoy kissing an Overlander. No offense." Smooch attempt, take 2.

[westfallcorndog]

His ears flick towards Naugus and he spends about a second looking confused before his arm is being pulled at. He can't help but laugh, and it's a laugh he sorely needed. He's in much better spirits and a clearer state of mind when he holds the phone up again. Look at the smile on those doggy lips!

And then kiss the doggy lips.

Now that he's a hair more confident with the business of worgen kisses he hooks one arm around Naug's shoulders and pulls him in for a second, much saner go. Finally, it happens. The promised GOLDEN SMOOCH. It's not perfect, no, but it'll make for a cute picture if Naugus does his part.

[ixis]

THERE. Much better. That's more like a kiss that's not going to make the person looking at it feel second-hand embarrassment or sadness. No sorrow for Harrow here.

Hopefully, the worgen doesn't puff up with fright when that crab claw braces itself on the guy's shoulder in return. And his hand, since he doesn't have to be fumbling with any stupid phones, he can use to ruffle that fuzz along Harrow's jawline. Touch this guy in all the picturesque ways to ensure they win! It doesn't even matter anymore what the prize is. Naugus just has to be the best at everything presented to him.

[westfallcorndog]

Who knew Naugus could turn this into the cover of a romance novel? All of us do now. When the kiss his through Harrow tries to restrain his smile. The twist that Naugus is a sweet guy isn't one he quite expected, but it's a good one none the less.

Harrow flips through the pictures he's taken of their latest kiss. With swiveling, disembodied hands it's easy to get a few angles in, some better than others. This is True Art, real photography. He shows it off to Naugus with a proud, doggy smile.

"You look real cute in photographs, you know that?" he asks quietly. "I think we're gonna win. Nah, I know it. Those other schmucks ain't bringin' half what we are."

[ixis]

"Cute? Are you sure? I would have thought of words like magnificent. Powerful. Impressive." He peers curiously at the phone screen to see if this horrid device really does render him cute. What would that even look like?

[westfallcorndog]

What would that look like indeed.

Harrow laughs as he taps the screen with one claw. A little menu comes up and he picks through the options until sparkles and hearts appear at the edge of the picture. He even adds a well-placed lens flare. All pretense of majesty and power is out the window. The memory of their kiss is now officially kawaii.