(no subject)

[monolike]

[The first thing Sorey thinks as he falls is what Lailah said as they left Camlann; that without his domain, all of them would instantly be hellions. The ground collapses beneath his feet, the wind drake behind him snaps up his cloak in its jaws and he sees the terror on Mikleo's face just before Symonne's laughter shrieks out and he and the drake fall together.

If they're too far away from me-

He can still feel their connection. He can still feel them, even if they can't go to him, and Sorey prays that's enough.

Wind rushes past them and Sorey tries to wrench out of the drake's grip (It's gotta be a wind seraph, Zaveid had shouted as they were thrown into the thick of battle in the tight corridors of the fortress), twisting and turning, sword in his hand. They'd weakened the drake considerably as a team but he's not sure he's powerful enough on his own to purify it, not even with all the strength he's gathered. Not without the others.

Hopefully, because Rose is there, they'll be okay. Please, please, I can't lose anyone else-

They fall far but hit a collapsed spire at an angle; in the mess the drake releases Sorey (or maybe his cloak tears, he can't tell) and he tumbles, bumps against it and hits the ground hard enough to rattle his teeth in his head and jar his bones. He pushes himself up, ignoring the bruises and aches, the constant, thumping worry of his heart and puts his sword between he and the drake as it sways up to its feet.]

Don't worry, [he promises the poor thing, because thank god, thank god it's not a dragon yet. There's still hope.] I'm going to save you. Don't worry, it'll be over soon.

Comments

[monolike]

[Medicine-making...idly Sorey wonders if Mikleo's been through here, and then wonders if Mikleo had a hand in its cultivation. He always had a knack for making gels and bottles.

And though Dezel's got his number (those men's robes look so cool and comfy) Sorey turns and sternly presses a kiss to his mouth, nipping just a bit.] Thinking about spoiling me again? You'd better not!

[sylphystia]

[Dezel makes a noise of surprise, not expecting Sorey to kiss him in order to shut him up. It's followed by an unmistakable blush.]

I-I'm not spoiling you. I'm just trying to figure out what you like.

[He winds their fingers together, both as revenge for that display and to keep Sorey within sight. There are a surprising amount of people here and he doesn't want to lose his partner.]

There's a garden somewhere around here, and probably some other things. What do you want to see first? [A pause.] Or are you hungry? [He's kind of forgotten how often humans need to eat.]

[monolike]

[ngl that blush is part of why he did it]

I am hungry, [Sorey admits,] but I'd also like to look into something, if there's a library here. And- [Have a blush back, Dezel!] If, um, maybe we could stay here tonight. ... and have some time alone. It'd be nice.

[sylphystia]

There's a library-- not as big as Ladylake's, but with some very ancient books. Or so I've been told.

[Sorey's blush is cute though the precise color is lost on Dezel. He can still feel it on the wind, the shy curl of Sorey's lips. Dezel brushes his nose invisibly with his breezy touch, gentle and a little playful.]

Then we'll take our time. While you're at the library, I can get the inn room squared away. How's that sound?

[monolike]

Sure. [That should be enough time.

Sorey smiles, tilting his chin up to kiss Dezel on the cheek, just above his jaw, resting a hand on his arm for balance.] I can find my way to the library, if you'll meet me there when you're done?

[sylphystia]

[Somehow Dezel still doesn't expect it, and it completely short-circuits anything else he was about to say.]

Uh.

[He looks a little silly like that, actually. After a moment he shoves his hat down, trying to hide it, but he's grinning regardless.]

Yeah. I'll meet you there.

[He has some shopping to do, too. He's sure he can run inside one of these boutiques and find some silk that Sorey would like. He's the kind of guy who likes souvenirs, too-- that's all it is. It's not spoiling if it's like, a reminder of their trip... right...]

[monolike]

[COMPLETELY GIDDY OVER THAT TBH. Dezel is so weak to those little affectionate gestures that Sorey doesn't feel so bad about getting flustered in bed. They both have their own strengths!!

They part and Soreu asks around for the library, determined to find some way of making money in this new world. He meets with the director and discusses the possibility of offering his translation services. People fluent in Ancient Avarost are in even shorter supply after another thousand years, so while Sorey doesn't have paperwork or any kind of proof of formal education, he translates a few passages to the director's satisfaction and lands at least a short-term job right there. The Shepherd garb might've helped a little bit, and though Sorey is guilty for the deception he can't deny its usefulness.

He's out waiting on the steps with his first assignment, a copy of one of the oldest tomes in library that he's to translate and return upon completion for compensation.]

[sylphystia]

[Dezel is smarter this time, having imbued his gifts with mana so they could be hidden in whatever seraphic hammerspace is. He isn't empty-handed, however; two cups of some milky drink make icy, sloshy noises as he holds them to his chest.]

I thought I wouldn't see you out here for another week at least, [he murmurs good-naturedly. It looks like Sorey's found himself a puzzle.] The room's ready. I didn't know if you wanted to eat there or somewhere else, so I got us some weird drinks in the meantime.

[One of them is green, to no one's surprise, but the other is a milky soft cream color. This is the one he holds out for Sorey.] Vanilla something with coconut milk. She said there's bubbles in it, but I have no idea what the hell that means.

[monolike]

I guess that makes me your snack guinea pig, [Sorey snorts, accepting it gratefully and taking a sip. It's pretty good actually, and Sorey finally understands what the seller meant when he gets a squishy little bubble of flavor bursting between his teeth.]

Oh! Haha, that's really good! Here, try it, [holds up his straw to Dezel's mouth.]

[sylphystia]

At least it's not your cooking, [he says flatly. So much black stuff... some of it Dezel swore was alive. Sorey tries his best, but uh. Yeah.]

... All right... [He has his own, but sure, he'll try Sorey's. The first half second is pretty delicious, honestly. Coconut milk doesn't really taste like coconuts. But then the rest is--]

What the--

[He chews it and swallows it with the classic tasting face.]

Why is it chewy?

[monolike]

[HEY SHUT UP he did his best ok ;_;

Dezel's face is priceless so of course Sorey laughs, taking his straw back to get another mouthful of the stuff.] Dunno! But it's interesting, right? Kinda gives you a feeling like it's bad because you shouldn't have to chew a drink, but then it's good.

I think I like it. Thanks, Dezel.

[sylphystia]

It... is good. Just weird at first.

[He sips his own, which is complex and classic, if you consider matcha mixed with milk and tapioca pearls classic. It's not bad though he's still not sure about the chewy bits.]

Mine's green tea. [He leans a little closer to Sorey. If he looks closely, there's a smile to be found-- soft and fond, hiding in the shadow of his hat.]

... So, where do you want to eat?

[monolike]

[ok well he's stealing a sip of your green tea one, also good

At that suggestion of eating out somewhere, sitting down and dining, Sorey hesitates. While it's true they've mostly been eating in their rooms and it might be nice to have a change of pace...Sorey has a goal in mind, and he wants to at least propose it before he loses his nerve.]

Actually, [he says, shooting for confident as he presses his book to his side,] could we get something and bring it back to the room?

[sylphystia]

[Dezel lets him. He's not particularly possessive about his food anyway. At Sorey's suggestion, he doesn't even seem surprised. They've been doing a lot of traveling; maybe he wants some peace and quiet for a while.

Also, he's carrying a book and Dezel is pretty sure books rank higher than boyfriends on the Sorey Scale.]

Sure.

[He reaches over to ruffle Sorey's hair, then slips his hand down to touch the small of his back. It's not a suffocating hold but a nice reminder.]

If something smells good to you, we'll get that to go.

[monolike]

[dezel what does he have to do, french you right here???? it's time to bring out the big guns

aka reimagining zaveid pickup lines]

I'm looking at something good I'd like to bring back right now. [STARES AT DEZEL, DESPITE WANTING 2 DIE. How does Zaveid manage it.]

[sylphystia]

[He's not even sure what he just heard for a good, like, three seconds. And then he realizes two things: one, Sorey is staring straight at him. Two, he is blushing terribly, something the wind is practically screaming about.

After a moment the wind also makes note of Dezel's blush.]

Er--

[His grip tightens around the boba for a moment.]

-- noted. Let's head over.

[Sorey is rarely so forward but Dezel can't say he doesn't like it. He's just so awkward and dense, he knows this, so it sometimes takes a heavier touch.

Dezel is nonetheless embarrassed so he ends up sucking down the rest of his tea in about thirty seconds.]

[monolike]

[Yeah, Sorey's in a similar spot, head down and going for the world record of tea most quickly consumed as he hugs his book to his chest. How embarrassing. And now he doesn't even have the nerve to touch Dezel all the way there, which is just plain silly considering what he just proposed.

At least they make it to their room before Sorey moans and drops the book onto a nearby desk so he can cover his face.] I'm so sorry, that wasn't me, was it? I'm just- I had no idea how to say 'hey Dezel what d'you think about getting naked together' without- without saying it like that!

[sylphystia]

[That's okay, Dezel keeps his hand on Sorey's back to help guide him, though really they're both a mess by the time they get back to their room.]

I'm glad you didn't say that. I probably would've died right there and left you penniless and starving. [He's had time to recover so of course the sass comes out. His half-smile is fangish and fond.] I know I'm difficult. Why you put up with me is anyone's guess.

But, if you'll indulge me a little, I'm gonna be difficult for one more minute. [He reaches into his coat to remove a flat wrapped box, and then he leans forward to push it into Sorey's arms. Inside is a beautiful yukata made with layers of soft white fabric and accented with a deep blue. As with all foreign clothing, it's assembly required, but that should be fine.]

It's common for visitors to wear local fashion. I was aiming for something comfortable, but then the tailor insisted I take this one. Sorry if it's flashy.

[monolike]

[Stares down at this box because darn him, he'd gone and gotten Sorey yet something else- but it's so beautiful that he can't even be mad about it.

...he'll give Dezel a hard time though.] Dezel, [he says slowly, lifting out the yukata and looking it over in admiration,] It's amazing, but...I mean, I didn't know you were into role playing.

It's a little soon for that, but if you want me to play like, the Lord's flighty son or something similar, I'll do my best. [hi my name is sorey and i enjoy smut novels]

[sylphystia]

... What?

[Sorey might be an awful liar but something about his honest teasing is worse. Not only does it confuse the hell out of Dezel but there's a moment or two where he's halfway offended.]

No, I--

[...]

Are you teasing me?

[monolike]

Yeah. [AT LEAST HE'S HONEST ABOUT IT???? Though Sorey is still turning the yukata in his hands, holding it up to admire the threadwork and the patterns, even though he's grinning like a punkass.] Sorry, I really couldn't help it; Dezel, this is really gorgeous and I love it. And I'm going to try it on right now, if you're amenable.

[sylphystia]

Might as well. You already wanted to... uh... change out of our clothes anyway.

[... Turns out Dezel can't say it either. He pulls another box out of his jacket, then tosses his coat onto the chair.]

The shopkeeper made me take one, too. Let me know if it looks awful. [All he knows is that it's green, and really, that's his only standard. He pops open the box and feels his way around the fabric. It's a light, lovely shade of cream and green printed with leaves. He turns away from Sorey while he strips down to his boxers, because of course he'd wear some kind of edgy underwear.

He tightens the belt and turns around. His neck and shoulders are far more exposed than he'd like, but his hair is just long enough to make it okay. He feels weird without his hat regardless.]

It's comfortable, at least. [And then, very seriously:] Kinda breezy.

[He can pun too sometimes!]

[monolike]

[Sorey's still trying to figure out how to tie the belt to keep the two hems from slipping open when Dezel turns back around and almost gives him a heart attack.

His skin is right there and his hair is around his neck, and Sorey can see a hint of his strong but angled jaw just past the tips...his waist looks smaller than Sorey remembers...oh lordy...]

Dezel, [Sorey mumbles sheepishly, bright red and still fumbling with his own belt,] you look kind of erotic like that...

[sylphystia]

[Dezel isn't expecting Sorey to sort of fail at whatever he was doing. There's a pause before the blush hits his face, perhaps a little harder to see because of his long hair but it's definitely there.]

It's... probably not something I should wear outside then.

[He shuffles over to the younger man. With gentle and deliberate motions, he takes the ends of the belt in hand and ties them so Sorey can learn how.]

There. Go look at yourself in the mirror-- even I can tell you're cute.

[monolike]

[NO...OH NO, HIS GAY LIL HEART CAN'T TAKE IT

Dezel steps in and closes his yukata and ties that silk belt and that's it, the lingering closeness, Dezel's hands hovering near his waist without quite letting go.

Mirror later. Reaching up to take Dezel's face between his hands and pull him down into a kiss now.]