#esugen

Khepri's turn to tell his tales around the campfire. Featuring Magnai, Mauci, Esugen and some little ones from the tribe.

My piece for @ffcreatorsguild !

“You two never cease to amaze,” Esugen’s voice is soft, his smile kind. “The recipes I’ve been able to make thanks to your efforts, truly you two are most kind. You’ve brought so much... Please, will you not stay a while? It is not much, but I would like to make something for you both as thanks.”

You rub at your neck, sharing a look with Mauci, who puffs up with pride. The dotharl’s skin gleams with sweat, wearing less than usual from the waist up on this hot day. He stretches his arms up over his head, muscles shifting in a clear display as he grins at the both of you. “Your cooking is it’s own reward!” Mauci says with his own smile, slinging an arm over your shoulder as he presses his sweaty body against you and accepts Esugen’s offer for the both of you. “Of course we’ll stay!”

You huff, shoving the sweaty dotharl away. You were already hot enough without his added body heat. Still, you nod and agree as Esugen looks to you with a hopeful smile. 

“Oh, wonderful,” the oronir says. “I am glad for your company.” 

You sigh, seating yourself in the grass nearby and eyeing Mauci as he plops down to recline next to you, fanning himself. 

He must be thirsty, you muse as you take out your waterskin, take a drink, and then offer it over. 

Mauci looks at you like you hung the moon and takes a grateful drink, groaning. 

You snort, accepting it as he offers it back over, and then pouring it over his head. Mauci gives a yelp, because it was cold, but doesn’t complain. 

“You looked hot,” you say with a laugh. “Feel better?”

Mauci slicks his hair back away from his face - a good look for him, his hair usually sticking up in tufts at the top - and shakes himself like a wet dog. 

You shield your face, laughing. 

“Here we are,” Esugen says as he brings over two steaming bowls. 

“That was fast,” you say, straightening up. Mauci sits up eagerly, pressing himself to your side. 

“Well, it was mostly finished,” Esugen says with a gentle chuckle. “You brought me just what I needed to complete the dish.”

A bowl is pressed first into your hands and then one to into Mauci’s, the oronir watching you both with plain anticipation as you take your first bite.

“How is it?” Esugen asks. 

Mauci groans like it is the best thing he ever tasted. “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” he says. He says that every time he tastes Esugen’s cooking. You’ve no doubt it is true every time. Esugen was quite the cook.

You smile around your own mouthful, nodding your head in agreement.

“I am so glad,” Esugen says, his pale skin ever so slightly flushed. He is still unused to such compliments.  

“Esugen,” Mauci says, reaching for the oronir before he can move away, “won’t you eat with us?” 

Esugen pauses, surprised. “...Oh. Well, I must see that my brothers are fed first, but... If you do not mind, I would be glad to join you afterwards.”

Mauci sets his bowl down, leaning back on his hands. “We’ll wait for you.”

Esugen seems flustered as you put your bowl down, too. Glancing between the both of you with wide golden eyes. “Ah, then I will be quick about it. Excuse me.”

You look to Mauci as the oronir hurries away to see his brother oronir fed. The dotharl looks thoughtful.  

“They do not deserve him,” Mauci mutters. 

You hum, taking a sip from your waterskin. The other oronir certainly did not appreciate Esugen and all his effort. Only a very few. 

“Planning to steal him away?” You ask, because if he wasn’t, you certainly were.

The dotharl looks very much like he’s considering it. 

Sometime got to double down and write your own love for a minor character.

-He’s start being a bit fluster around the WoL, the WoL is so nice to him. Helping him cook by hunting meat he needs for his tribe. They do it without complain. Aiding him can spare him some free time.

-Anyone, mostly the Oronir who belittles Esugen is going to get WoL throwing hands. Many of them learn to keep their mouth shut, some still pester.

-Jelme was totally the boy who set them up together. He very much knew of the Xaela’s crush of the WoL and doesn’t even hide it. He just straight up tells you because it’ll take many moons for Esugen to even confess a single word.

-Mauci totally eggs him on suggestions while the two are hunting for special things for the WoL. Usually ending with Esugen being a fluster mess, but he does think about it, sometimes dismiss it but the thoughts come back.

-He likes cooking for the WoL, making them something special just for them when they’re here. Made of pure love.

-A bonus if the WoL is a skilled culinarian. He’ll be so excited of another cook. He can even learn recipes from the WoL’s home and WoL can learn from him.

-Doesn’t matter if the WoL is small or big, they like to hug Esugen, and be the big spoon when resting with him. He’s so cuddly and warm like the sun. He doesn’t mind it and likes being hugged, sometimes it’s the other way around and he gently plays with their hair or traces their outfits.

- He has messy hair behind that helm of his. WoL loves it. Teases how messy it is as they pet and comb their hand through his hair, must to his embarrassment and dismay.