A Spot of Hogswatch Trouble, Pt. 2

[scots_wolf]

[[from here]]

The next morning, Urquhart awakes to fine bed-linen and the unique shade of cool bright light that promises a sunny, snowy day outside.

He lifts his head, pulling his long blond hair free from the pillow where it had remained as it was, tangled from last night, while he'd been sleeping.

Comments

[morethanprops]

"Good, good,"

He looks down and starts eating, warily looking over all the patrons. Apparently shopping is quite tiring.

[scots_wolf]

He gets a lot of glances; apparently, his remark about looking for a wife has made the rounds already.

[morethanprops]

An older woman comes up to him and gives him a long look, she's wearing the hat of her office and Moist visibly blanches,

"Don't you cause any trouble here for a girls, young man."

"Yes, ma'am, I won't do that."

She nods and walks away and now the covert stares just grow.

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart is leaning in the kitchen door, smirking. His sleeves are rolled up, his arms are dusted with flour, and he has two chatting maids leaning in his side and over his shoulder.

But when the witch passes, he bows his head, and the maids curtsey very politely.

[morethanprops]

Moist spots him and gives him a worried glare,

"There you are, Hamish."

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart walks over, trailing the maids and brushing the flour off the pelt on his arms with a dishcloth.

"You are able to take a walk without me nursemaiding you, are you?" he says.

[morethanprops]

"Of course I am, don't be silly. I just don't like being bothered all the time by gossips and you know that."

[scots_wolf]

"Oh, did they bother you very badly?" Urquhart asks, scoffing.

[morethanprops]

"Yes, I know I'm going to have to dance far too much tonight. It had better bet worth it."

[scots_wolf]

"Oh, it'll be so strenuous," Urquhart mocks.

The maid giggles.

[morethanprops]

Moist sighs and concentrates on his dinner before moving upstairs,

"Well, I'm going to go get ready. Don't stay too long. I don't understand what women see in you."

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart laughs, and returns to the kitchen.

The stollen is coming along nicely, and Urquhart finally gets out a hip flask, letting the cooks taste some of the excellent stuff a drop which he had flavoured the marzipan for the stollen with.

They are all very appreciative.

[morethanprops]

They keep him down in the kitchen for as long as they can before the cook sighs,

"We have to help prepare for the ball too, so you'd better see to your master, Hamish."

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart sighs deeply, kisses the maids goodbye, and glumly trudges up the stairs to see to Moist.

Only when the door closes does he stand straight and smile again.

This is going well.

[morethanprops]

Moist is relaxing on the bed in his dressing gown and grins, "Productive day?"

[scots_wolf]

"I had them eating from my fingers the entire time," Urquhart says, grinning brightly.

[morethanprops]

"Good and the daughters will be lining up reluctantly for me. Their mothers are probably convincing them that they can change me without too much trouble."

[scots_wolf]

"They believe that we're from this utterly fabulous place that I won't talk much about," Urquhart says, "and speculate about the fabulous wealth of our lifestyle, as we're used to so phenomenally amazing food and drink. They'll line up, never worry."

[morethanprops]

"Perfect and we'll have some drink with us and sell quite a lot before leaving right after Hogswatch without committing to anything."

[scots_wolf]

"How many days?" Urquhart asks. "After all, I shouldn't really stay away longer than five."

[morethanprops]

"Its tomorrow night, the ball tonight is a party for the Eve."

[scots_wolf]

"Oh, that sounds good," Urquhart says. "We will have one more day to reap the rewards, then leave with great regrets on the day after."

[morethanprops]

"Yes, I do my best to make sure timing is always on our side."

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart walks over to the bed, sits, pulls the dressing gown apart to touch Moist's chests, and bends to kiss him.

"You're very good at it," he says. "And other things, but this especially."

[morethanprops]

Moist pulls him into a nice long kiss,

"I'm glad you approve."