❝Anything worth doing always starts as a bad idea.❞
— Independent portrayal, influenced by: ✧ Books.
— Highly AU ⁝ IC > Crossovers.
— RP+21 > TW: Mature Content & Dark Themes.
— Descriptive & detailed.
「#Hyde」
> unfolding before us.
Rows of tall, slender, old trees lined the way, their branches meeting and arching overhead like a canopy woven by hand, casting shadows across cobblestones worn smooth by generations of hurried footsteps.
"Ah, you're a lot like me."
Lips curled into a smirk that mirrored his, blue eyes sparking with mischief.
I gestured for him to follow as I turned toward the winding path ahead.
"The Night Market is a spectacle. Chaos wrapped in color. You'll need vlachka, and a sharp tongue >
“A Night Market?”
His eyebrows raised, looking at Nikolai with a wicked grin.”
“Now that does sound interesting. I much prefer the unconventional to the conventional. Lead the way.”
> into my mouth once we passed the stall, shooting the other man a sideways look.
"Or are you planning to charm your way through? Because that'll get you nothing but a bruised ego."
I paused.
"And possibly a goat."
I offered him a berry while my gaze scanned the streets >
I tapped my chin in thought.
"There's a Night Market," I said, recalling the itinerant bazaar that appeared once a week, selling all sorts of rare potions and hard-to-find items.
"Now that the sun's down, I mean. The daytime one, run by locals, is much more conventional."
“I think… Well.”
That was the question, wasn’t it? Where to? He rocked backward on his heels, humming to himself.
“I always like to travel a market, first. It gives you the run of the land — not from those who run and rule, but from those who live in it. Any of those around?”
That earned a hearty laugh from me.
"Well, we'd better get going, or there will be no adventures, then."
I patted his back and gestured to the horizon, making a sweep motion with my hands. The world was quite vast before us.
"Where to first, Traveler?"
“One should hope there’d be tales. Tales for books or diaries or written as instructions for the next adventurer. And perhaps, tails also.”
His hands moved as he talked, allowing a wicked smile to form. He repositioned the hat upon his own head, settling it carefully in the —
> However, adventure was adventure, and I'd 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 been one to turn that down.
"How much travel are we talking about here?" Curiosity, ever the present mistress, stirred again. "Will there be tales?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose and heaved a long-suffering sigh.
"No such luck." A brief pause. "𝘠𝘦𝘵. Volkvolny is a beauty, but she doesn't have those kinds of skills."
𝘜𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦, really—leaving her behind left a bitter edge.
>
“Well, I’m a man who travels and sees much. And unfortunately, we can’t steer a ship through a town. Or forest. I should imagine?”
He smirked, straightening out the lapels of his jacket. Far better to be presentable.
“Unless your ship is a special one that can slip —
"Ah, you’ve got a sense of humor. Promising."
I chuckle, the grin already tugging at the corners of my mouth.
"That’s usually a strong sign you’ll make excellent company on long voyages."
I nod once, then tilt my head, letting just a hint of mock offense color my tone.
>
“Privateer.”
The grin forms before he even speaks the next word.
“Private-ear?”
He can’t help but laugh at himself. He does love a play on words.
“Where are we charting to? Or do I get to pick? … We 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 have to travel on foot, without a ship, though. Ready for that?”
> "But tell me... why must you steal my ship out from under me like this? I thought we were off to such a good start."
I tut, a teasing edge to my voice.
"You really should’ve said that 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 I let you choose pick our next destination. Now it’s starting to feel a bit >
A paper bag? |I call from beneath it with a chuckle before removing it. Fingers combing through my perfect hair.| Afraid of what I might stir within you, my lady?