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doublethepainAn entire day has already passed, and Spencer is no closer to being used to walking on these legs than he'd been when April had helped him reach the shore. Each step is pure agony and for that alone, he is admittedly relieved that his voice has been taken from him for the time being; but in spite of his fears that Joel would tire of him quickly, that the prince would send him on his way after seeing him fed and clothed, he's been invited to stay in the palace for-- well, for as long as any of the royal family sees fit, he supposes.
Joel had demanded--in as princely a way as possible, of course--that Spencer be seen to, and the workers in the palace had been quick about putting him in a shirt and trousers that he supposes fit him well enough, not that it matters much to him, seeing as he's never had to wear clothes before in the first place. Joel hadn't left his side once, though he'd been very gentlemanly about keeping his back turned while Spencer had been helped into his clothes, and though they hadn't been able to converse, Spencer doesn't think he's ever felt more attended to in his life. The way Joel had looked at him as the evening continued on, as he'd sat across from him at the table while Spencer had been unapologetic about shoveling the stew laid before him into his mouth, is unlike anything he's ever known.
Only the introduction to the king and queen had made him flush terribly, though they'd been nothing but kind to him upon discovering he had been the one to save their son from drowning the day before. Joel's father had laid a gentle hand on his shoulder while his mother had offered a near tearful thanks punctuated with a kiss to his cheek and that had been that before Spencer had been ushered off to a large room with a bed that could certainly fit three of him comfortably on it.
Worse than the pain in his legs had been when the time had come to bid farewell to Joel for the evening, though he'd been assured that if he needed anything, he could call for him anytime. Spencer had slept soundly, though, exhausted from everything that had happened in so short a time, and by the time he'd woken up the next morning, he'd been more than ready to face the day. Now, he's exploring the marketplace, brought here by carriage and equipped with a cane meant to assist him with his walking. Joel had promised to come find him after he'd finished with what Spencer can only assume are his princely duties, though he hasn't the faintest idea what that might entail, but he's content with that for now. He can almost grow numb, in fact, to each sharp jolt that shoots through him with every foot forward as he admires the jewels and fruits and vegetables that are all for sale here, smiling and shaking his head at every merchant who calls out to him.
He has thirteen days left to make being human count for something; but in this moment, Spencer just wants to allow himself the chance to enjoy it the best he can.
[OOC: Open to all!]
Joel had demanded--in as princely a way as possible, of course--that Spencer be seen to, and the workers in the palace had been quick about putting him in a shirt and trousers that he supposes fit him well enough, not that it matters much to him, seeing as he's never had to wear clothes before in the first place. Joel hadn't left his side once, though he'd been very gentlemanly about keeping his back turned while Spencer had been helped into his clothes, and though they hadn't been able to converse, Spencer doesn't think he's ever felt more attended to in his life. The way Joel had looked at him as the evening continued on, as he'd sat across from him at the table while Spencer had been unapologetic about shoveling the stew laid before him into his mouth, is unlike anything he's ever known.
Only the introduction to the king and queen had made him flush terribly, though they'd been nothing but kind to him upon discovering he had been the one to save their son from drowning the day before. Joel's father had laid a gentle hand on his shoulder while his mother had offered a near tearful thanks punctuated with a kiss to his cheek and that had been that before Spencer had been ushered off to a large room with a bed that could certainly fit three of him comfortably on it.
Worse than the pain in his legs had been when the time had come to bid farewell to Joel for the evening, though he'd been assured that if he needed anything, he could call for him anytime. Spencer had slept soundly, though, exhausted from everything that had happened in so short a time, and by the time he'd woken up the next morning, he'd been more than ready to face the day. Now, he's exploring the marketplace, brought here by carriage and equipped with a cane meant to assist him with his walking. Joel had promised to come find him after he'd finished with what Spencer can only assume are his princely duties, though he hasn't the faintest idea what that might entail, but he's content with that for now. He can almost grow numb, in fact, to each sharp jolt that shoots through him with every foot forward as he admires the jewels and fruits and vegetables that are all for sale here, smiling and shaking his head at every merchant who calls out to him.
He has thirteen days left to make being human count for something; but in this moment, Spencer just wants to allow himself the chance to enjoy it the best he can.
[OOC: Open to all!]
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Date: 2015-04-19 08:55 pm (UTC)But this man has agreed and Davin grins, looking around to take in their surroundings. They're off to the side and out of the way, so Davin nods to himself and double checks the spell before putting it away. He's only tried it on Shea, and heard a lot of things that he's been trying to put out of his mind ever since. He thinks this man's thoughts will be a lot nicer to hear.
"Okay, so, I'm gonna say a spell," Davin explains, "an' then just think real loud, aye? An' I should be able t'hear it."
He nods encouragingly and closes his eyes, reaching out to touch the back of the man's hand for a connection, and softly but clearly says a spell. He repeats it twice and opens his eyes, the blue glow in his irises fading quickly. The outward noise of the marketplace seems to have grown dim, fading out and leaving Davin ready. He lets go of Spencer and nods eagerly. "Go ahead."
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Date: 2015-04-19 09:04 pm (UTC)My name is Spencer, and I came from the sea. A witch gave me my legs and that's why there's so much pain, but I did it for--
His eyes snap open then, remembering what Ersa had said about not revealing what he's here for, else the spell will be ruined. He's meant to do this on his own, to make Joel fall in love with him simply by being himself, and Spencer doesn't know if that will work in the end, but he doesn't want to do anything that might risk him losing everything. If by the end of these two weeks, it comes to pass that there is truly nothing between him and the prince, Spencer will return to the sea and try his best to continue his life without the regret he already knows he'll feel; but until then, he needs to remain strong.
He glances at Davin with a small, sad smile, knowing that he can't offer great detail but figuring that revealing just a bit of it wouldn't be such an awful thing.
I did it for someone I love.
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Date: 2015-04-19 09:35 pm (UTC)He's doing all of this for love. That makes Davin smile softly, and he nods. Davin loves love, and he loves all the fairytales and romance. It's not something he sees in his own future, but he still likes knowing that it's out there, and that it's real.
"What can I do t'help?" Davin asks sincerely. "I'll do whatever I can, Spencer."
He smiles hugely, feeling happy that he might be able to help make a real love story come true.
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Date: 2015-04-21 08:17 am (UTC)He gives Davin a small, sad smile, knowing very well that as noble as it is that the young witch would want to offer his assistance, there's little that can be done here. I can't force him to love me back. If there's to be any hope at all, what we share between us has to be real--and I can't even wish him a good night or morning. Ersa had known exactly what she'd been doing when she'd taken his voice and despite the fact that she'd openly admitted this would be a difficult task, Spencer can't help but resent her for it.
After another moment of thought, he pauses, glancing at Davin with uncertainty. Could you do this for him? Make him hear my thoughts, too?
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Date: 2015-04-21 06:34 pm (UTC)Davin frowns thoughtfully as he listens to Spencer's concerns. They're very valid, of course, but not all hope is lost. He smiles reassuringly at Spencer and leans in a little closer, eyes bright and excited. "Words aren't everything, y'know. Some people are just plain terrible with words. At least you'll never have t'deal with puttin' your foot in your mouth on a damn near daily basis. I've got the market corned on that one."
He chuckles a bit and then sighs, resting his elbow on the back of the bench and propping his chin in his hand. "But look at all you've done for him. Ya left your home for him. Ya changed your whole shape for him. It can't be easy, dealin' with all this, but you're doin' it. That says I love ya better than any dumb words ever could! An' I know I'd be pretty damn smitten if someone went through all that trouble for me. Not that anyone would, but still. He's a very lucky guy, your fella. I can't imagine why he wouldn't love ya back."
His face falls a bit at Spencer's question and he bites his lip as he shakes his head regretfully. "No, I don't think I could. If he was a witch, I could teach him the spell, but I don't think I can transfer it t'others. I'll look into it, though!"
This must be so incredibly frustrating for Spencer, and Davin is desperate to help. Spencer seems like such a good man, and this is a real, honest to god fairytale. It has to have a happy ending. It just has to.
"I could translate? I mean, I could tell him what you're thinkin'," Davin suggests, but then he frowns with a slight pout. "That wouldn't be very romantic though, would it? Hm, could ya write him a letter? Yeah, write him a love letter!"
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Date: 2015-04-22 07:57 am (UTC)That's what mermen and mermaids who dare to venture so close to shore rely on, that the human world will continue to view them only as part of myth and legend, and unless Joel sees something in the next two weeks that vastly changes that opinion, Spencer can't express to him just how much he'd given up to be here. He misses his father, if he's honest, because as angry as he would be, Spencer thinks he'd very much like the parental advice he's so dearly missing right now. It helps that Davin is offering his kindness, that Spencer can talk--for lack of a out, there are still so many obstacles to overcome.better term--to someone about this at all, but as much as he'd like to hope it would all work
When I tell him I love him, I want him to hear it. My voice, my words. I just need him to feel the same way before I can do that, and he-- Well, considering who he is, he has many obligations that have nothing to do with me.
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Date: 2015-04-22 11:58 pm (UTC)"That makes sense, I s'pose. Even if ya are makin' this super difficult on yourself." Davin winks to let Spencer know that he's just teasing and then rubs his chin while he thinks. "Well Spencer, you've got me all invested an' I need t'see how this romance plays out."
He laughs and leans in a bit closer, looking at Spencer with a soft smile. He likes this man and he truly is invested, and this will be a good way not to think about his own problems for awhile. "Can I do anythin' at all? I'm yours for the rest o' the day. I was just gonna try t'see if I could find some work os I could get somethin' t'eat, but that can wait."
His stomach rumbles then as if to say no, it really can't, but Davin ignores it. "D'ya want me t'pass any sort of message t'him at all?"
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Date: 2015-04-26 08:56 am (UTC)Below the sea, declarations of love are often accompanied by the exchange of shells, the most elaborate of which are often indicative of just how great the lengths one or the other are willing to go for each other because the most beautiful ones tend to be housed in the most dangerous waters. Spencer can't imagine that presenting Joel with a shell will be met with anything more than a slightly bewildered expression and a hesitant but sincere thanks, which is all well and good but gets him absolutely nowhere with the task at hand.
Would it help to say that he's a prince? Perhaps they require a different sort of strategy than those who are not of the royal family.
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Date: 2015-04-26 10:20 am (UTC)"Fancy that, I like a prince too. I'm tryin' t'woo mine as well, but ours is kind of an awkward situation. I'm meetin' up with him later, though." Davin realizes that he's rambling and his cheeks go a bit pink. They're not talking about Davin here, and he looks back at Spencer curiously. "Ya must mean Joel or Caden. Which one has caught your eye?"
He goes through everything that he's heard about the brothers, which isn't much and all generally positive. Well, aside from Coop. He has a severe and seemingly random dislike of Joel, and Davin can't quite figure out why. "They both seem quite nice."