[ There's a clear moment of surprise that doesn't entirely fade as Essek accepts the gently folded garment. It's dark and soft with a pleasantly muted shine, the fabric draping elegantly towards the floor as he holds it by the seams at the shoulders. The laced sleeves, too, are quite lovely, the flowering pattern growing more dense the closer they are to the wide cuffs.
It's much more romantic than the style of clothing he's typically known for, but a gentle, faint smile emerges all the same. His eyes meet Fjord's. ]
[ Essek neatly refolds the robe with care, draping it over the back of the desk chair rather than simply adding it to the rest of the pile on the bed. The apology is...somewhat surprising. In the tenuous ground he finds himself on with the handful of the Nein here, he's still learning what their true expectations of them are. While they are rightfully on guard given his past actions, Essek is not about to let himself be subjected to unwarranted scrutiny or criticism.
It still doesn't stop his stomach from doing a little nervous twist, looking at Fjord with small amount of apprehension as though he isn't sure what to make of it. But after a beat he nods slowly, clearing his throat before speaking gently. ]
Apology accepted. I hope you were able to find the advice you were looking for.
I was, actually. [ Apology accepted, he relaxes and plants both hands on his hips, body-language unconsciously open. ] I took Molly out to the fairground they call an arcade, we had a good day.
[ The memory of it still warms his smiling eyes now. ]
We thought everyone ought to go for a day out, sometime. The games are a lot of fun, especially the metal steeds.
Ah, for Molly. I'm glad to hear you had a good time. [ Admittedly Essek feels more confused about the entire practicality angle, but it's not worth bringing up again.
There's a genuine look of confusion and skepticism that follows. ]
What do you mean by metal steeds? [ sounds weird and painful, honestly ]
You have to try them, [ yessSSSS, he loves this topic, ] they have two wheels, one in front and one behind, and they're made of metal in a shape you can ride, like a horse only without legs or a head.
I'm going to request one from the Augur next time, ah ... Well, next time.
Oh, well. Yes, absolutely, [ he needs his cantrips, at the very least, ] but sometimes the Augur grants smaller requests. When I asked for my sword they also gave me some food, too. If the spells don't take up too much of their power, I'll try for the metal steed.
[ They're really ... cool. Don't judge him. ]
You know what, you'll understand when I take you to the arcade.
I see. [ That gets a little more of an amused huff out of him then. Essek settles one hand against the back of the chair, fingering the soft fabric of the robe Fjord has just given him. He doesn't understand the appeal, but it's a little endearing the way Fjord is so excited about it. A softer smile finds its way to his lips, warmth to his eyes. ]
Great. Oh, we brought back a load of sweet snacks that we couldn't finish, they're in the cold-cupboard downstairs if you want to try some of them out. Anything besides the chocolate is a little too rich for me.
[ Dithering in Essek's room, he chatters to fill in the space with something other than an awkward lingering on the softness in those violet eyes. ]
[ Essek follows after a brief moment of resettling the clothes more neatly on the bed should Caleb return during his brief absence. He's still not quite used to the kitchen, in general but especially with all of the oddities that exist in this one. So aside from it being absolutely necessary, he tends to...avoid it.
But still, he wanders in after Fjord. Everyone else appears out right now, a rare occurrence lately, it seems. ]
I assume if you brought it back that it's safe for general consumption?
Safe enough, although it's sweet as hell. I can't stand the sour stuff that Molly eats.
[ But then again his tiefling boyfriend seems to consider salty popcorn spicy being he's an infernal weirdo, so. ]
Take your pick!
[ Fjord takes a basket out of one of the cupboards and upends it on the kitchen table, candies and sugary goodies spilling out, bars of chocolate ... additionally, a red and white striped bag of popcorn is planted down too. Picking up a jelly heart, he tears into it (with some difficulty!) with a tusk. ]
[ Essek shoots Fjord a wry look at the mess now spread out over the table, more amused than annoyed. ] Was that particularly necessary?
[ Peeking into the popcorn, he finds that it is surprisingly familiar, resembling a snack that Jester had once brought into the den at the Xhorhaus on an occasion when he had taught Caleb more dunamancy spells. The memory aches a little, but he still fishes out a few pieces, popping each one delicately into his mouth as he considers the rest. ]
I've never been one for overly sweet things. Suggest something for me?
[ His reaction couldn't be more comical if he was a dog with its ears shooting up, straightening with a cocked chin at Essek. Did he just say what it sounded like? Too busy looking him over to get a clue (pitiful investigation roll not worth speaking of!!) he forgets to disconnect his thoughts from his mouth, ]
He steps around the table to get into Essek's personal space, looming over him so close that he can smell the chocolate. His voice drops in timbre, yellow eyes locked on violet. ]
Don't eat it all before I get a taste, [ no one ever said he wasn't reckless when curious !! ] I want more than one.
[ It really is too bad his ability to float is gone. Hovering up at Fjord's eyelevel would be a terribly amusing way to needle him, but Essek can't quite entirely deny to himself that the looming isn't also causing his pulse to beat just a little faster.
If he's surprised to see that Fjord is rising to his casual tease, Essek hides it with a slow smile and a second, slower lick of lips. ]
Oh...[ another small piece breaks off the bar. ] Is that so?
[ Slender fingers place the morsel on his tongue. Violet eyes stare right back at gold as he savors it slowly, until it completely melts away, and he swallows. ]
[ He cups Essek's chin, thumb pulling down on his lip for a moment just to feel the softness there. Wondering why the guy hasn't been regaining spells at a crazy rate, and letting a smile curl onto his own lips because he knows the reason: Essek hasn't been getting anywhere fast with that damnable A5 card.
His hand slides around to the back of the wizard's neck, warm where it rests. ]
I though you didn't want me kissing you anymore.
[ Essek was the one who ended it, looking a little flustered but otherwise sensible about solving his own blindness. Nothing else has made Fjord think that kissing him again would end in anything but being derided by that sharp tongue. ]
[ He's getting places, Fjord, he's collecting what he needs. Regaining some power is well within reach. Soon.
But for the moment, no.
Fjord's hand is heavy and heated. He's nowhere near as large as the Qunari he'd trysted with at the masquerade, but the weight of the touch is just as alluring.
Essek tilts his chin upward so that the thumb settles just under his jaw, at the juncture of his throat. It would only take a slight press against the skin, and Fjord would be able to feel his pulse. It's mostly steady, if a touch faster than usual. ]
Perhaps teasing you is too much too resist, mm? You do rise to it rather easily.
[ This close, there's an unmistakable flicker in his expression, a fracturing of the smoldering smirk curled on his lips. Heat creeps up the back of his neck, tingles annoyingly at the tips of his ears as his pulse increases just a little.
Violet eyes shift away, dropping down to hover somewhere around Fjord's throat as he adjusts to the sudden change in dynamic with unexpected, gentle honesty. His gaze is searching when Essek looks upward again, taking in a breath. ]
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[ There's a clear moment of surprise that doesn't entirely fade as Essek accepts the gently folded garment. It's dark and soft with a pleasantly muted shine, the fabric draping elegantly towards the floor as he holds it by the seams at the shoulders. The laced sleeves, too, are quite lovely, the flowering pattern growing more dense the closer they are to the wide cuffs.
It's much more romantic than the style of clothing he's typically known for, but a gentle, faint smile emerges all the same. His eyes meet Fjord's. ]
It's lovely. Thank you...for thinking of me.
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[ Thinking about him, not out of guilt. Nope. This seems to be going well, so ... ]
Look, Essek, about the other day when we spoke via the devices ... I didn't mean to come off the way I did. I'm sorry.
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It still doesn't stop his stomach from doing a little nervous twist, looking at Fjord with small amount of apprehension as though he isn't sure what to make of it. But after a beat he nods slowly, clearing his throat before speaking gently. ]
Apology accepted. I hope you were able to find the advice you were looking for.
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[ The memory of it still warms his smiling eyes now. ]
We thought everyone ought to go for a day out, sometime. The games are a lot of fun, especially the metal steeds.
[ Motorbike racing!! ]
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There's a genuine look of confusion and skepticism that follows. ]
What do you mean by metal steeds? [ sounds weird and painful, honestly ]
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I'm going to request one from the Augur next time, ah ... Well, next time.
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[ That last bit makes him quirk an eyebrow. ] Next time? Will you not try again to recover your spells?
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[ They're really ... cool. Don't judge him. ]
You know what, you'll understand when I take you to the arcade.
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I think...I would like that, actually.
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[ Dithering in Essek's room, he chatters to fill in the space with something other than an awkward lingering on the softness in those violet eyes. ]
They sold popped corn, too.
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...I'm sorry, what?
[ What is 'corn' and why does it 'pop'? ]
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Come on, we brought back what Molly didn't finish off. Follow me.
[ He heads out, taking the Bag of Holding along the way. Onward to the goodies stashed in the kitchen! ]
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But still, he wanders in after Fjord. Everyone else appears out right now, a rare occurrence lately, it seems. ]
I assume if you brought it back that it's safe for general consumption?
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[ But then again his tiefling boyfriend seems to consider salty popcorn spicy being he's an infernal weirdo, so. ]
Take your pick!
[ Fjord takes a basket out of one of the cupboards and upends it on the kitchen table, candies and sugary goodies spilling out, bars of chocolate ... additionally, a red and white striped bag of popcorn is planted down too. Picking up a jelly heart, he tears into it (with some difficulty!) with a tusk. ]
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[ Peeking into the popcorn, he finds that it is surprisingly familiar, resembling a snack that Jester had once brought into the den at the Xhorhaus on an occasion when he had taught Caleb more dunamancy spells. The memory aches a little, but he still fishes out a few pieces, popping each one delicately into his mouth as he considers the rest. ]
I've never been one for overly sweet things. Suggest something for me?
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[ He gives him a wink and hands over the caramel-infused chocolate bar. ]
It's one of my favourites but it gets stuck all around my tusks so I can't eat it.
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Ah, what a shame.
[ Essek peels back some of the wrapper, snapping off a small piece for a little sample to taste. A slow lick of his lips and a hum later: ]
Mm, that is good. If only there was a more convenient way for you to have a taste so you don't have to miss out on something you enjoy.
[ is that...a flirtation? maybe. ]
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Uhhh ...
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Don't think about it too hard, Fjord.
[ He pops another piece of chocolate into his mouth. ]
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He steps around the table to get into Essek's personal space, looming over him so close that he can smell the chocolate. His voice drops in timbre, yellow eyes locked on violet. ]
Don't eat it all before I get a taste, [ no one ever said he wasn't reckless when curious !! ] I want more than one.
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If he's surprised to see that Fjord is rising to his casual tease, Essek hides it with a slow smile and a second, slower lick of lips. ]
Oh...[ another small piece breaks off the bar. ] Is that so?
[ Slender fingers place the morsel on his tongue. Violet eyes stare right back at gold as he savors it slowly, until it completely melts away, and he swallows. ]
...well?
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His hand slides around to the back of the wizard's neck, warm where it rests. ]
I though you didn't want me kissing you anymore.
[ Essek was the one who ended it, looking a little flustered but otherwise sensible about solving his own blindness. Nothing else has made Fjord think that kissing him again would end in anything but being derided by that sharp tongue. ]
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But for the moment, no.
Fjord's hand is heavy and heated. He's nowhere near as large as the Qunari he'd trysted with at the masquerade, but the weight of the touch is just as alluring.
Essek tilts his chin upward so that the thumb settles just under his jaw, at the juncture of his throat. It would only take a slight press against the skin, and Fjord would be able to feel his pulse. It's mostly steady, if a touch faster than usual. ]
Perhaps teasing you is too much too resist, mm? You do rise to it rather easily.
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[ His thumb runs back and forth under the sharp line of a jaw, calloused but gentle. ]
You don't have to tease, just ask.
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Violet eyes shift away, dropping down to hover somewhere around Fjord's throat as he adjusts to the sudden change in dynamic with unexpected, gentle honesty. His gaze is searching when Essek looks upward again, taking in a breath. ]
And that would be agreeable to you?
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wow this is very rude all of a sudden
puts a green flag here
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