adventageous | Inbox: Aefenglom

[He pauses, then smiles with a little shake of his head.] No, on second thought, not for you. Most people I know love the juicy details. Yet you remain rather far from a gossip.

[It's simply a fact and, to be fair, he's relieved of it. It is... it's difficult to explain even to himself the instincts he'd felt, how he couldn't even remember much of the full moon because he'd fallen victim to them. Yet saying as much feels an excuse. He's certainly in charge of himself. In control. Not like a feral Turnskin or such.

He leans in, tracing his fingertips up her thigh.] But if you ever change your mind...

[He can't help it when her cheeks take on such a pretty pink tone. It's a tease, and yet -- well, he can't help tempting her with more, can he? It takes some reminder for him to pull himself back. That she's still so new to this. And he does not ever mean to tease her with the idea of other lovers.

And she, apparently, means to be as generous as she can with him. It's... appreciated.

To have found someone so practical is honestly a fucking relief.] Yes, I believe so. Now that all the serious talk has been made, shall we have the tea? [He stands and fetches the cups, finally, pouring the water into both through a filter of leaves. He sets it in front of her, along with a few cubes of sugar.] Thank you. For being so honest about everything. Though I think it may be rather nice to meet Karin again on her own terms, so to speak. I haven't seen her since... well, we've only met once. She must be doing well now.

[Alice chooses to take his statement as a compliment, although it's just as much a result of circumstance than of character. Her life has never been such that gossip had a part to play. The stakes of everything were always too high to spend time on such petty frivolities. Even here, more often than not, even though it's the most domestic she's been allowed to be in years.

His teasing gets a bit of squirming and a giggle out of her, even as she shoos his hand away because what if one of his housemates walks in.)] I think you're just looking for an excuse to say things you know will fluster me.

[Not that doing so is especially difficult--she's plenty flustered from merely the suggestion of it. It's little wonder he enjoys teasing her so much, given the way she inevitably reacts. He's lucky he's so charming. (And so is she, when he turns that charm toward her.

Thankfully, Jaskier pulls back and gets to serving the tea. It gives her a few moments to pull herself back together. She accepts her cup with a small "thank you" and adds a couple of the sugar cubes.]

You're welcome. I can't imagine being anything but honest with you. Particularly with something as delicate as our hearts.

I think Karin would be thrilled to catch up with you. She's lost several close friends lately, so I think your increased presence in her life would be welcomed.

[She leaves the suggestion of the Circle unacknowledged. No need to ruin the mood.]

Otherwise, she's been doing well. She's keeping busy, same as I have. I don't think either of us know how to do differently. Although we make it a point to spend our mornings, at least, relaxing over tea and pastries.

It's become something of a daily ritual. One I look forward to.

Mmm, guilty. I can't lie to you.

[He's very talented at reading boundaries, however, and he is happy to respect them. Perhaps there is a chance his housemates walk in; Alice has made it clear she does not wish to flaunt this in front of any of them.

Though he's curious, the dynamic in the home she shares with Karin. If the same rules apply there. He can't say he has near the same reservations.]

Ah, well. I certainly will have to force a bit of myself into Karin's life, then. I'm more than happy to be a friend. I... [He pauses.] I could use more of my own.

[Lost them, as they returned to their homes. As he can only assume. It's the only assumption he wants to make.]

I'm told I make a rather mean fruit tart. I'd be honored to bring some for the two of you. [He snorts to himself.] All right, neither Geralt nor Yennefer have ever complimented me, but they certainly eat them, so it's compliment enough.

[If anything, Alice is more cautious at home because of the teenager who lives there and comes and goes as she pleases. She's sure that Rikku has at least some idea of sex and all that, but Alice does not want to find herself in a position that forces the conversation. At least with Geralt and Yennefer, it would only result in embarrassment.

(She and Karin are also still figuring out the whole 'how does physical intimacy work between two women' aspect of their relationship. That exploration is best kept behind closed doors.)

His comment about needing friends strikes Alice as sad, but it's not terribly surprising. The number of Mirrorbound has shrunk significantly as of late, and everyone still here has lost many a dear person because of it. Alice herself lost two of her best friends in one go, to say nothing of losing Yuri earlier still, and that felt devastating. She imagines it's even more keenly felt by someone as intrinsically social as Jaskier. With a sad smile, she reaches over and gives his hand a gentle squeeze.]

All the more reason to reach out. And maybe, if neither of you find it too strange, the three of us could do something together soon.

[Alice will happily play friendship-matchmaker between the two of them, should it come to it.]

So you're a bard and a baker? Geralt and Yennefer really ought to appreciate what they have in you. [Her smile slips into something more impressed and a touch flirtatious.] I admit that my culinary skills are only good enough to feed myself. Tarts are well beyond what I could manage.

I would happily accept one, should you make it.

[He raises both eyebrows with a smile, her hand a comfort on his. It does feel comforting, letting all of this out. Of course he does with his Bonded, in a way, but to have sympathy returned to him is. Fuck. It's refreshing.

Besides, he is beginning to wonder if Alice has similar... thoughts (or fantasies) to himself. Ooh. How he longs to ask.] The three of us? No. I'd hardly find it strange at all.

[He'll mention Geralt and Yennefer. That night. Later. When things are less vulnerable.]

I'm only exquisitely talented in one. [He leans in and, unable to help himself, kisses her cheek. It's only -- her smile leaves his heart fluttering, no matter what topic brings it.] And I would love to teach you, should you require teaching. Perhaps with some degree of lost clothes. I promise, nothing too distracting.

[Alice's suggestion is, for now, purely innocent. But it probably won't take much urging for that to change. It was, after all, her well-meaning-but-ultimately-impossible solution for if the relationship between Yuri and Karin had been more romantic. That conversation between her and Karin feels like a lifetime ago, somehow. The first half of this year has definitely been chaotic.

But at least it hasn't been all bad chaos. How she ended up sitting at this table counts as chaotic, and she's very happy to be here. Especially as he keeps teasing and kissing her cheek this way.]

Jaskier.

[She's scolding, but the blush in her cheeks and the giggle that rises out of her chest give her away. He certainly has a way of worming past her defenses, even when she's trying her best to be proper and behave herself lest they be caught. Never too much, never too far. Just enough to get her to relax into it.

(She doesn't really mind that much, in the moment. The flutter in her chest feels too nice to.)]

We'll just end up burning everything if we start with that, and you know it. You're plenty distracting with all of your clothes on.

[Moreso now, although she keeps that thought to herself. It's a compliment, but he may not take it as such.]

The moment a shirt comes off, it would be over.

[It's completely worth being scolded to hear that lovely sound, especially so when he finds himself waking so often just to hear it. Or offering to make a complete fool of himself. It's always worth it in the end, for the sound of his lover's laugh.]

Happily, I have recently learned that, as an Aeternae, I'm impervious to fire. Or immune to it? Is that more accurate? So should any fires arise, I can easily carry you to safety. In a very gentlemanly way, of course.

[Of course. It would involve no creeping of his hands up her thighs that, though he is so very tempted to slide one under her dress, he is. Being good. (The closer to the full moon, though -- lucky he is a master of self-control.)

He laughs, delighted.] Oh, I can feel the swelling of my ego even now! Alice, you are far too wonderful. [And she is. He feels already so comfortable, looking like this, trying to remember to keep his tail tucked politely. She has proven that his fears were well misplaced, a relief in itself.] If you ever do desire to see me lose my clothes, I am yours completely. And it may be new all over again, considering... [Well, how he looks now.] Though we will certainly have to plan a sly sort of rendezvous. I'm more than happy to purchase us the loveliest inn room coin can buy.

Of course. You're nothing if not a gentleman.

[Even behind closed doors, she'd argue, where their activities are far less proper. Although there's something about the way he says it that isn't quite sincere. Perhaps the playful twinkle in his eye.

Which only gets her smiling wider as she places a hand on his chest.]

As appealing as being carried off in your arms may be, I'd prefer to avoid property damage. There's something to be said for having patience and waiting until we're done cooking to engage in anything.

[At her own insinuation and his outright suggestion, Alice feels most of her blood rush to her face and the rest of it go to... other places as her mind wanders the rest of the way. She clears her throat and drops her gaze, not quite losing her nerve but definitely pressing up against what she's able to discuss casually.]

I am curious what else has changed, where I can't see. Under your clothes.

[She dares a peek upward with a shy, hopeful smile.]

There's no need for us to run to an inn, though. We can save the rendezvous for... for another time.

[Like maybe the full moons. But she doesn't quite have the nerve to say that out loud.]

[Ah, a shame. He's always wanted to be the hero for once. Surely there will be time for it still.

His hand covers hers against his chest, over his heart. The contrast of blue on pale white is striking, only emphasizing his inhumanness now. And yet... yes. His heart still feels calm.

A little calm. It kickstarts a bit, certainly, when she so expertly teases him. His blue eyes light up, perhaps even a glow coming to his horns, if such a thing were possible.]

I -- I can possibly confirm there were, ah, some changes -- [Right. Another time. Calm yourself, Jask.] Yes. [He licks his lips, squeezing her hand.] Whenever you wish.

[Alice, too, notes the contrast in their skintones as their hands rest one on the other. There's something striking and beautiful about it, she thinks, even if it's not a human difference. It seems her early introduction to the supernatural has had an effect on what she finds appealing.

Hard not to wonder if that, and this, are somehow fated.

Her brows furrow slightly at Jaskier's response, and Alice realizes she may have been misunderstood.]

I only mean to wait on the inn. I'd... very much like to sneak off somewhere with you right now. [Even if it seems impossible, she feels her face flush further.] If that's all right with you.

[Or... he should not calm himself.

A smile spreads wide across his face, his eyes glowing. Oh. Normally Jaskier would say it's, of course, coming down to his excellent seduction skills, but Alice has thrown him for a loop more than once.

And he is very quickly learning this yearning is all her own, and none from his encouragement.

He replaces his hand onto her cheek to feel the warmth of it. Somehow, it's even more noticeable now, that warmth, as he's grown a bit colder than himself. One must imagine a more intimate moment would be that much more incredible.

Luckily, she does not seem to shy away from his new hue.] There is not a single thing I would love more. [He stands carefully, his tail moving excitedly, offering a hand to help her up, too.] I believe my room is still very private.

[The touch of his hand on her face feels cooler than it once did, but it's no less pleasant. (And given the heat of her blushing, the contrast in temperature is quite appreciated.) Alice smiles and tilts her head slightly into it affectionately before he pulls it away to stand up.

Her smile only grows as she lets him help her to her feet. She stands up on her toes for a moment, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. It's a promise, to be fulfilled behind closed doors.]

I think your room will be perfect.

Edited (wrong icon) 2021-07-08 02:28 (UTC)

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