adventageous | Inbox: Aefenglom

You -- [He blusters for a moment. Jaskier's not the type to really stop anyone from what they set their heart onto, but from what he's heard about the Cwyldheart --

And yet here she sits, seemingly unharmed, as far as he can tell. He's already starting to wish he'd finished the tea beforehand. He doesn't have knowledge of exorcists, and Alice has already emphasized that she's powerful enough to have villains want to control her...

He only wishes he may have helped somehow. That whole time, he'd been locked away in his home, too frightened by the very idea of the Cwyld to face it again.] I see.

[He very much busies himself with lighting the fire, because his fingers won't stay still and who knows how bloody long it will take for the kettle. It lights up, and he notices with half a mind that though his fingers certainly touch the flame, it doesn't burn.

And yet he jerks back out of instinct, bumping his head against the stove as he backs up at the word romantic. Jaskier stares at her, the pain a faraway ache already, blinking a few times as his mouth opens in surprise.

Oh. Karin had not... mentioned this. He had not, in fact, considered this was the case, even knowing they were Bonded. The Bond didn't have to mean that sort of thing.

Not being in one didn't, either. With you. Oh, fuck. His heart.

Jaskier takes a seat beside her, immediately taking her hands in his, smoothing his fingers over her knuckles so the fists may loosen. He knows why this must feel a confession to her: a confession implies there's guilt. And he knows well, in love, that there should never be guilt. Not for love itself.]

I'll be very blunt with you, Alice, because there's no need for me to mince words with pretty ones. [Talk of this, at least, comes easy.] You should love whoever you like. As many people, or Witches, or Monsters as you like. [And he smiles. That? That's the confession? If only she knew how many his own heart had known. How many more it will know, he hopes, because love has always been so easy for him -- to fall into, at least.] It's perfectly as you said. I've many poets who would have killed to be so succinct. [His smile grows a little bigger.] There is precious little of love. Wouldn't you say it's nearly a duty for us to spread it? To me, this only truly speaks of how large and how true your heart is.

[He leans down and kisses her hands.] I think it's wonderful. And I think Karin and Yuri are both as lucky as I am to be the subject of such love. Believe me, my dear, I'm the utter last to ever chide one for unfaithfulness.

[Look, he's cuckolded a lot of husbands, but he can mention that, er, later.]

[Alice sincerely doesn't know if she should laugh or cry at his reaction. Either way, it's now clear that she needn't have worried. Thinking back to their conversation in the club, it should have been obvious that he'd value love itself over old-fashioned notions like hers. Karin had been equally gracious, so really all of her stress over the situation had been self-generated and self-directed.

Unlearning the strict standards she sets for herself is difficult, as it turns out. But seeing him smile at her in such a way, it's worth the discomfort. The expression is so different, given the drastic changes he's undergone, and yet it's still very much the same. Her tension melts away, and she soon finds herself smiling back.

Falling into it, indeed, and already in deeper than she realizes.]

Thank you. I needed to hear that. Navigating all of this is still so new to me, so I appreciate the reassurance.

[She pauses for a moment, then quickly adds:]

Karin knows about this, by the way. So there aren't any secrets.

[Having to sneak around on either side would make this unbearable. Polyamory as a concept is a lot easier to swallow when they're all consenting adults.

Now that she can fully express affection without feeling pangs of guilt about it, she leans in and kisses his cheek.]

I guess this should go without saying, but... if our relationship is going to involve more than just you and I, that permission goes both ways. My only request is you spare me any sordid details of what happens between the sheets.

[It's not that she's worried about being jealous--if he wants to wax poetic about the love of another, she will by all means entertain him. She's merely heading off any would-be insecurities about her own sexual inexperience by comparing herself to whomever else he might fall in with.]

Fair?

Well, of course! It's an important decision, I think, but it should be none the less enjoyable. Finding your footing in love should be so.

[He kisses her cheek, then sits back again. The kettle bubbles, ignored for the moment. This is monumental, he thinks, considering how shy Alice had still been when they were together. He can easily imagine this is the first time she's ever found herself in this position.

There are plenty who would say a heart is only destined for one. Plenty of people who are fools.]

Good. I don't believe there should be secrets.

[Though he is far overdue with a meeting with Karin again. He remembers her being kind, too, in the cages. It's a good memory when everything else is so awful.

His lips twitch, eyebrows raising.] A surprising request, actually, but I'll be happy to grant it. [He pauses, taking her hand in his and rubbing it gently. This sort of thing is not something Jaskier frowns upon himself, nor is he embarrassed about it, but he does not want to... overwhelm her.]

I'm glad you brought it up. With my... my transformation, certain things have -- [How to put it delicately?] During the full moon, the Aeternae instincts are nearly overwhelming. I've never felt anything like it.

[Perhaps she heard of the... er, orgy?] In any case, I welcome this new arrangement. [He squeezes her hand.] I want you to know you are, of course, my priority. I don't think it needs to be fair, necessarily. We have no need to be equal in our -- in whatever you wish. As long as we remain true to ourselves, then surely it will work out.

[The more they talk, the more relief Alice feels. They're more or less on the same page on how they want for this relationship to continue. It feels good to lay everything out like this, making expectations clear. What's blossoming between them is certainly unusual, at least compared to everything Alice has ever known or been taught, but she finds that she doesn't mind it one bit.]

Is it really so surprising? Jaskier, there's only so much of this I can handle at once. I promise it's entirely about me and not because I hold any resentment toward the idea of you sleeping with whomever you want.

[Her voice is light, just shy of a self-deprecating laugh. Just a few months ago, even her current situation would have been totally unthinkable. There are aspects of it she still needs to be eased into, especially since there's quite a gulf between them when it comes to experience. Jaskier, at least, is gracious and seems to understand that on some level with his agreement.

The slight flush to Alice's cheeks is indication enough that she follows his meaning just fine. It'd be harder to not have heard about the full moons orgy, given how quickly gossip about it spread throughout the city. Alice pointedly tries not to think about how much or how little he participated in it--which of course forces that thought to the forefront. While an orgy is about the absolute last place Alice would want to find herself, she imagines he was even more of a sight to behold there...

Ahem. God, when did her mind become like this? Once upon a time, it was pure and innocent and not prone to idle sexual daydreams about monsters.

She forces herself back to the present moment.]

All the better we talked about it, then. The last thing either of us need is for you to fight that back. [It's a generous sentiment, perhaps, but more than that it's a practical one. A feral monster is a force to be reckoned with, and there's no reason to force him into becoming one for the sake of rules of propriety that are already out the window.] I'm not worried about comparing anything between what you and I do. And I'm not worried about this thing between us meaning any less. It will work out. I trust that.

We can both put our doubts to bed, I think. We're going to be just fine.

[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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