Two of a Kindda

Eight A.M. Aodh sat relaxed playing his guitar upon the couch waiting for Stanley to show up, while Nuada had retreated to the bedroom after his shower, his reasoning clearly to avoid the faery. Aodh smiled. He still found the rigid prince amusing. Amusing, utterly tantalizing, and therefore frustrating. Not an emotion he was use to. But frustrating in more than just his sexual desires weren't being instantly gratified. There was so much about the man that hinted at so much more. And yet he was a hard nut to crack.

A sharp rap on the door followed by it opening brought the faery out of his musings. "Hey Strin... Whoa... what happened here?" Stanley stared at the pile of broke table, light fixture, and bucket of drywall and plaster. "Redecorating with a sledge hammer?" The big man came and sat down beside his friend. "You know you want help I'm always up for putting some dents in walls." he flexed his muscles in his arms and cracked his knuckles.

"Stud." Aodh greeted his drummer with a bright smile. "House guest actually. Just having a bit of fun. He got very enthusiastic."

"Lover you mean, bangin' away on the table and wall, swingin' from the light, yah?"

"Not lover... guest." Aodh insisted, slipping Méadhbh Aoibh into a carrying case so she'd be ready to go.

"Okay. Thousands wouldn't, but I'll believe you. So where is this guest now? Do I get to met him?"

Aodh tilted his head towards the bedroom, "Likely listenin' now to everything we say."

"Well I hope he has a sense of humour." Stanley laughed, rubbing his huge hand over the top of his shiny dome. "So ya got more songs, or was your non lover too distractin'?"

Aodh handed Stanley the sheaf of music notes. "Here ya go. Say, Im likely gonna be unavailable for abit. Think the three of you can learn these without me?

"Ooh no you don't! No disappearing for months. Not now. I'll nail your lily white ass myself if thats what you need."

Aodh burst out laughing. "Dust! Stud don't tease me!" he bent forward clutching his stomach, until he recovered. "No no really... I promise. I'll be back in a day or two at most. Just a field trip ma... please can I go!?!"

"As if Id be able to stop you. Just have pity on us poor mortals. And don't take too long on this latest excursion of yours." Stanley got up to leave.

"Oh and Stud..." Aodh called out, removing a credit card from his wallet, "...please see about getting these repairs done while I'm gone?"

"Take your cell!" Stanley waved the music sheets at Aodh. "You got a week." At the door he halted, "And tell your friend thanks. He won me a C-note. We should all get together over drinks when you two get back." Then the drummer was gone.

Nuada came out of the bedroom then, making the faery laugh again. "Wow, now thats an expressive face. C'mon handsome, I picked you out a pair of shoes that should fit you in a pinch. Just give me a sec. to get everything I'll need... than we're off. We got some shoppin' to do!"

***

The three immortals, elf, faery and guitar, travelled by cab to the heart of Danforth's Greektown. While Aodh was excited, to say the prince was unhappy with the prospect would be equivalent to saying that Mt. Vesuvius' volcano eruptions were just the earth having a bit of gas. He sat in deadly silence, glaring at Aodh but the waves of seething displeasure kept the faery in stitches. Of course Aodh's good humour just made matters worse.

While Aodh paid the fare, Nuada stared out the window at the grey exterior of Korry's Clothiers. "By the Stars, its like taking five year old to the dentist. Id rather thought a man like you would appreciate some fine well tailored clothes rather than my oversized hand-me-downs. If you just give it a chance you may find you'll enjoy this. Really! I'm not trying to torture you." Aodh coaxed the prince into the store.

Once inside the colour palette changed, the lighting was a warm gold the walls and floors décor natural hues and material to surround you in a welcoming glow. Aodh steering the prince through rows of clothing most in warm dark colours to a coffee bar. The musician was greeted along the way by several sharply dressed attractive salesmen. "Is Saul about? Id like my friend to met him."

"I'll see if he is available Aodh." One young man said, then disappeared further into the store.

Nuada watched the faery chat casually with the other salesmen while he prepared two espressos. He took the small cup when passed and sipped at the strong flavoured bitter brew wondering how Aodh was so accepted by these humans. Why they all seemed to like him. Why he seemed to like them so much.

"Aodh, my friend!" small content looking older man called out as he appeared grasping the faery's hand. "Oh you're wearing that fashion again!" referring to Aodh's black mesh and chains and leather with a band Tshirt and worn torn jacket over top. "Where is the nice suit I had made for you?"

"Oh, you know Saul, I feel most comfortable dressed like this. I wear your suit for special occasions. But my friend needs your expert services. Saul, Id like you met Nuada Silverlance. Nuada this is Saul Korman," then with the flare of a showman, "the 'Duke of the Danforth'."

"Oh please, not that name." Saul waved Aodh away. "Please to met you, Mr Silverlance." Saul stuck out his hand in greeting but when Nuada didn't move to take his turned it into a sweeping gesture toward his clothing racks. "What type of suit are you looking for? For what occasion?"

Nuada's eyes flicked to Aodh but the faery just smiled. "I require some functional clothing for day wear. Nothing elaborate. Clothing that will allow me to move freely."

Saul looked over the prince, with a very expertized eye to detail. He saw yet ignored the clothing the man wore now, instead took in the prince's bearing, noted his language, his hands. "I see. Well I will endeavour to please you, sir. Shall we begin with measurements?" He nodded to one of the tailor presence, who came forward with his measuring tape.

"He needs everything Saul, from skivvies to... well a complete wardrobe. What he doesn't wear out your store you can have deliver to my address, yes?"

Saul glanced between Aodh and Nuada. "Should I be offering you a warning about my musician friend here young man? He is a charming rascal! But maybe you are aware of that already."

Nuada nodded. "I am aware of that. But he has been most helpful to me so far."

"Oh my is that a compliment!?!" Aodh laughed.

***

Over the next few hours Nuada was treated to a truck show, of the full range of Saul's labels and collections, while steadily drinking the small cups of espresso the faery kept passing to his hand. Slowly the casual friendly atmosphere, the constant banter of Aodh, Saul as well as the tailors and younger salesmen as well as the sheer pleasure of fine materials and quality craftsmanship wore away at him and he relaxed and even began enjoying himself.

He found he did indeed appreciate the way he looked in the Italian designers Canali and Pal Zileri. The cuts were flattering to his build and materials soothed his ragged sensibilities. He was fitted in an Italian leather dress shoe, which was more comfortable than the oversized shoes Aodh had lent him. He also choose shirts, trousers and other accessories from Saul's own label Roberto to fill out his new wardrobe.

In a moment when the mortals were all busy he took the faery's arm, and pulled him close to speak confidential. "I do not understand you... your affections for these humans. Or how it is they accept you and therefore myself. It seem I have underestimate you. It will not happen again."

Aodh just smiled, "You are welcome."

***

"Well is there anything else you require?" Saul asked as Nuada stood in from a triple mirror admiring his new dark attire.

"I believe you have satisfied me hu,.. Saul. I must thank you." Nuada bowed from his waist most graciously.

"Saul its been fun! As always." Aodh laughed as he smoothed his own hands over the new leather coat he had chosen for himself. He finalized their sale with his full signature. "Ill make sure the tickets and passes are mailed out promptly for the next show. Nic and his friends will have a wonderful night." He bent down to scoop up the strap of Méadhbh Aoibh case.

"Anytime my friend." Saul shook Aodh's hand and this time when he offered his hand to Nuada, the prince took it in his own firm grasp. "Your other purchases will be delivered today good sir. Its been a pleasure meeting you. I hope that we will meet again."

"I am not sure. My future course seems to be changing to uncharted waters. But if our paths cross again I will recall this time, favourably."

***

"So what surprises do you have in store for me now faery?" Nuada asked Aodh once they were on the busy street. "Another cab ride to some other humans I am suppose to learn more lessons from?"

"Oh... I was thinkin' we could grab a bite to eat. Im quite hungry. Afterwards we can take a walk thru the park. Look for your troll bridge." Aodh smiled letting the prince's peevish mood pass unacknowledged. "Do you like Falafel? Or maybe a Gyro? I love gyros!"

Aodh was walking briskly north on Pape, skillfully leading Nuada up the crowded sidewalk. He realized that the faery's own particular glamour was in effect, since humans acknowledged their presence, but were neither amazed or startled.

"These are both human foods. Can we not wait till we get to the Troll Market to dine?" Nuada was eager to get on with their journey and thereby away from these crowding, pushing humans.

"Well... its either a long walk, and I'm hungry now, or a subway ride,... or a cab ride. I'm cool with the subway. I actually quite like it."

"You like everything human!" Nuada scoffed. "Do you really feel more for their kind than your own?"

"It is not that I do not love Faery, that I find humans attractive and seek out their company and friendships." Aodh stopped, holding to Nuada's arm. "I love them yes. But I do not like everything human." In the faery's expression was an old, old pain, long buried, but unearthed now. "Do not mistake me. Humans are children. They blunder and fail through their short lives. But I have hope they will grow up one day."

"You tested my patience, and tolerance." Nuada answered, "Saul may well be a good man. But I've been hurt by these humans too much, we both have, to love them."

"Maybe my pain has been so great that I had to love them." Aodh returned in their debate.

"Please do not rob me of my hate." the prince commanded. "It is all I have left."

Aodh just sighed. "Come, I'm still hungry."

***

The eatery Aodh dragged Nuada to was nothing more than a counter fronting a kitchen. But the food smelt appetizing.

"Are we to eat in our laps this time, but now on the street as well?" Nuada asked Aodh as he scanned the board listing meals to go.

"Most of the foods here come served in a convenient manner to make it easy to eat while walking. You want a Greek Salad Wrap?"

Nuada sighed frustrated, "You choose since you are more experienced in these human conventions.

"Two number twelves and two Fruitopias, tangerine please." Aodh paid and then like a kid watched with mouth watering eagerness as the food was prepared. "Extra olives please!"

"Hey! You're the lead singer, Aodh, from that band SabbathNight!" a scrubby dark teen next in line stared at the faery with wide excited black kohl eyes.

"Guilty as charged. You a fan then?" Aodh turned to the boy with a huge grin.

"Yeah, my GF got me listenin' to your songs. They're uber sick.. weird.. 'trippy' like something my dad would like... but hard... never thought Id like folk shit. You look more metal than that soft ballad stuff."

"Its more like euro metal."

"Yeah like Nightwish. Sarah loves them too. Not saying you got a girl's voice man."

"Sorite, I can sing high enough when I want to. Without squeezin' my nutsac."

"Hey you're really... real. You mind I get your autograph for Sarah? She'd love it. I should be jealous, you know, she kisses your poster at night."

"Sure no problem. What's your name? Aodh took the school notebook and pen the boy offered.

"Tom." he watched as Aodh drew a strange little skull and wrote his name across it, then underneath wrote something else.

Nuada's eyes narrowed as he read what the faery wrote; only two words were in English, Sarah and Tom, the rest was Gaeilge: 'Sarah, póg mé san oíche. Pòg Tom maidin mhaith.'

"Awwww thanks." said Tom a tad uncertain, as he received his book back, and tried to read what Aodh had written.

"I hope Sarah enjoys it." Aodh smiled as he turned back to get his and the prince's food.

"Why did you write that?" Nuada asked Aodh.

"Oh it was just abit of fun." Aodh tilted his head quizzically as he rolled down the start of the paper wrapping.

"No. Why in the ancient language?" following the faery's example and took a bite of his wrap, being both surprised and pleased by the unusual sharp savoury tastes flooding his mouth.

"Ooo, so she could look it up. That's half the fun. Making them find the magic for themselves."

Nuada's eyebrows pulled together, he felt a sudden empathy for the boy Tom.

***