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Codebreaking Conversationalist
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 Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 11:07 am
Was this how his brother Lisandru felt all the time? Constant, pressing, inescapable panic? Alister suddenly felt a bit more sympathy to his younger brother, biting his lip apprehensively. Alister didn't want the panic or the kids or the responsibility or any of this. A weaker man might have run away by now. Alister was vaguely pondering becoming a weaker man, even though he would probably be shamed by his siblings. So what? He was fine-- Hearing Eknath's laughter echo in his head made him straighten up a bit. That, though, would not be fine. Damn rakshasha. Tuning back into the conversation just in time to hear Citlali and see Kasmai's pleased smile, Alister cleared his throat. Right. Baby names. It didn't miss Alister's notice that Kasmai had put forth a name ending with Ali, much like how Alister's started with the same sound. It was almost like branding the kid as his child, but it wasn't exactly a bad name. Though he was partial to his own name. Alister nodded in response to the name. "Cosme and Citlali. Goes together."
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 9:23 am
Kasmai nodded again with a smile. "Good, good." The now-named Citlali was beginning to fall asleep again, so Kasmai put him down in the crib next to his brother. Cosme and Citlali. They did go together, and they were fine names for fine little boys.
"I'm glad we did this together," he said, straightening up and turning toward Alister again. "And I'm sorry for springing so many surprises on you at once."
It felt strange to Kasmai, suddenly being the one in control and confident. The last time they'd met he'd been all tremors and blushes, talking around the subject and too nervous to speak his mind. Now it was Alister who was practically trembling. "Can I get you something to eat?" he asked, remembering his manners and hooking his thumb toward the kitchen. "Maybe a cup of coffee?"
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Codebreaking Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 10:12 am
An apology! Yes, because that totally made the fact that he was more the father to two little boys, one that bore part of his name, better. Yes, much better. ... Not at all actually. Alister shifted from one foot to the other out of nerves, and offered a half-hearted, "It's cool." It wasn't really cool, but it sure was something. Coffee was likely not an ideal thing to be drinking when he was already do strung out. He needed a relaxant. He needed something to put him at ease and maybe forget what had just happened. This place was known for that, when he thought about it. After all, he was in small town Koehaira. "Actually, could I get some of that wine?" Alister offered something akin to a "you know what I mean" kind of hinting grin, as he left the room as swiftly as he could. Food sounded good too actually, but first, alcohol.
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 4:33 pm
Kasmai's brow furrowed for the briefest of seconds. For him it was still a bit early to be having wine, but City people did things a bit differently. "Of course," he said, closing the door behind them. He made a "follow me" sort of motion and turned toward the kitchen. He hung the kettle over the fire and and pulled a pair of earthenware mugs from the cupboard. From a different cupboard he produced a bottle of wine, which he uncorked and poured into a mug for Alister. He slid it gently toward him.
"You're welcome to come around as often as you like," he said casually, sitting on a stool and motioning for Alister to do the same. "Or not, of course."
Anyone want to take bets?
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Codebreaking Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 8:12 pm
Truly, Alister couldn't care less about what Kasmai thought of him for going for the drink so early in the day. Today was one of those days, definitely one of those times he could use plenty of alcohol to warm and relax his system. What better place to get that than in a place that clearly specialised in alcohol? Alister was perhaps too delighted to take the mug that was slid towards him, scooping it up before he even sat down to take a sip. The relieved sigh when the alcohol was swallowed down was unmistakable. It was at that point he plopped his body down on the stool that he was offered, suddenly looking much more ... relaxed. He took another sip. "Ah, that's good!" That probably wasn't the right response to that comment, really, about how he could come ... or not. Maybe he should rephrase that. Or maybe he should take another drink. The second one sounded a little more appealing, admittedly. He clicked his tongue against his teeth, before turning towards Kasmai. "Ah, nice place here. I'm not sure the quiet here is for me but," he took another sip, "it's nice." That was a better response while also not being a response at all, Alister decided.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 9:24 am
Kasmai couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at Alister's reaction. Was he saying it was good he could come as often as he liked? Or good that he could not come at all? He wasn't going to hold his breath, personally, although it was good to know if he ever really needed Alister to show up he could probably tempt him with drink.
"We like it," he agreed to his next statement, offering a small smile and bending over to get the kettle. He poured it into the filter system he had set up for coffee: a funnel over his mug with a thin paper lining it. He'd measured the coffee grounds into the liner, and now he poured hot water over the grounds. Soon the coffee would seep through the liner and into his cup.
"I think the quiet is part of the charm," he said, returning the kettle to the rung over the fire. "Elizabeth built her home here ages ago to get away from the noise and chaos in the City." He shrugged a bit. "Only makes sense it'd stay that way; sort of a refuge from busy life. A lot of us work up in the City, but we're always grateful to return here when the day is done."
He was grateful to be making this less-awkward small talk with him. It was a nice break.
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Codebreaking Conversationalist
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 10:15 am
Alister could likely be bribed with drink, all things considered. He had loved the alcohol when it was sent to him, and he immediately went for it when he was given a choice here. Wine was warming without making him feel like he was smashed, and relaxing without making him feel too loose to function. It was a win-win, really. The quiet was part of the charm? If he meant the area had a charming small town vibe, sure, Alister could agree with that much. He still wasn't sure this was really the place for him in any sort of long term, though. He laughed. "Charming, sure. Where I want to live? Eh." He took another sip from his drink, leaning forward and putting his arms on the table. "The busy life is quite nice, in my opinion. There's always new pae to see, new things to buy, new events to attend, new conversations to have and always surprises. I'm not sure why anyone would want to live away from that. "But," he shrugged, "to each their own." And another drink.
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