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 Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2017 7:32 pm
Buried in a stack of books and papers, with a side of mugs to be cleared, Niamh emersed himself in all he needed to know about the council, the councilmembers, and the process for getting a grant. While all of this needed to be accomplished by the end of the week, it has been... postponed as other life events took priority.
'He's late...' Niamh told himself as he stared down the block at the designated location, 'He's always late...' as he finished his third glass, the bartender came over to collect the drained vessels. Niamh rose from his chair, "I have some business to attend to, which would be greatly hindered by these... I'm going to leave them here, and I will return for them momentarily, Sound good?" With a begrudging grumble, the barkeep agreed to his terms, and Niamh jumped the three-foot fence surrounding the patio area and started down the street to the inn listed on the paper given to him earlier.
Standing in the building's shadow, Niamh decided it was definitely on the nicer end, worthy of housing his lover... for now. Just as he was about to cross the threshold, a cart came up the side alley, "For the love of Essd, are you serious...." Niamh snarled as Talan stepped off the cart and patted the Bushi doing the heavy lifting on the neck, "What?! It's not like they're known for their speed! Plus, we had to make a few stops~" He handed the beast a root vegetable which it eagerly snapped up, "You try maneuvering through a marketplace with a hungry Bushi... The blasted thing kept eating everything with foliage."
Peeking past the beast, Niamh noticed the assortment of arrangements. They were well done, but there was a half dozen, maybe? "This, was all they had?" He asked while walking to the back of the cart.
"Well, no. This was the best of what they had in the entire city... buying everything is unnecessary and dumb." He added bluntly while scooping up two of the arrangements, "Now make yourself useful and grab one of those." Working through the doorway, taking great care not to damage the arrangements, Talan started down the hallway toward Leukos's room, "Beefcakes~ Be a love and get the door, would you?"
The attendant looked mortified as he stepped around the desk, "Talan?! No, you can't- I can't do this! What are you doing here?!" Niamh followed the pair as they continued down the hall and tried his best not to laugh at their squabbling. "Listen, I have six different floral arrangements that equal twice your monthly salary, so either you can open the Gods forsaken door or you can do all of this yourself- which I won't let you- because you'll do it wrong. Now please, before I lose my grip... which will inevitably lead to me losing my temper... TODAY, please."
The attendant fumbled with the key ring and after a moment of hesitation, the door was opened. Talan craned his torso past the arrangements and gave the intimidated young Matoran a quick peck on the cheek, "You're a literal lifesaver... Now hold the door while we grab the rest of them."
"The rest..." He groaned while crossing his arms and tensing, "Wait... Who is this?" He asked as Niamh stepped passed him and placed one of the arrangements. Talan gave the defensive man a proper kiss, "Ah, This one... He's the boss's kid, so basically my livelihood... " He chuckled and stepped back into the hall, "Niamh there's another thing I need you to grab so get back out here!"
With a grumble, Niamh quit his fussing over the arrangements and followed the Talan to the back of the cart where he received a box and an envelope, "Is this it?" he asked while opening the top of the box.
"THIS is what took me so damn long. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find someone with the magic to create a vacuum." he growled as he watched Niamh struggle with the fragile package, "Now be careful! If it gets knocked out of place in there, there is no fixing it." Talan placed a hand over the top of the box, pulling his attention, "How about you grab that last little arrangement and we'll take care of this inside."
Pressing his lips together in protest, Niamh did as he was told and followed Talan back to the room, and as he went about arranging the flowers. Opening both ends of the box Niamh pulled the blush tinted rose dipped in wax to preserve the petals, then magically sealed inside of a dome cloche, "Awe, you even left it in the cup~" Niamh practically melted as he admired the display.
"Because you're such a sentimental little s**t..." Talan grumbled as he tore open the envelope and cut a ribbon of Burlap, "Now set that thing down here before something happens with it." Sliding the key onto the burlap he wrapped the ribbon around the cloche and tied it into an intricate bow, leaving the key dangling in the center.
"How do you know how to do that..." Niamh murmured as he examined the pristine bow.
Talan snorted, rather impressed himself, "I'm a Sailor, Niamh. Knots are kind of my thing and bows are a type of knot... sort of." Shaking his head he waved away the comment, "Don't worry about it. Just, here. That slip please." Niamh handed over the cardstock with his hotel and room written on it. Placing the corner just under the base of the cloche the pair stepped back and admired their work. "Told you this would be perfect~" Talan boasted doing his best to deflect the elbow jab that followed, "Now, Let's get out of here before we get in more trouble."
Back in the lobby, Talan gave Niamh a playful grin, "Alright, Now it's your turn to return the bushi while I repay the kindness of this young man has shown us~" he purred, scooping the desk attendant into his arms, "Come, my love~ our suite awaits!" As the pair slipped down a side hallway to what appeared to be a supply closet, Niamh took his leave to attempt to get a stubborn bushi to comply.
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 1:17 am
The sun was just beginning to dive behind the horizon by the time Leukos made it to the familiar doors of the inn he was staying at while in Edrao. The lingering warmth of the sun soaked wood was comforting under his palm, something he hadn’t realized he’d been looking forward to all day.
After waking up bleary eyed, he’d stayed in bed longer than he should have, considering the oddity of his enlightened escapades the night prior: had that actually happened? Or did he just have some crazy dream, brought on by the emotional whirlwind of yesterday? Was that really the same guy, dancing around town and laughing like an escapee from the local asylum? But the cuts on his feet weren’t imaginary, so as odd as it seemed, it had to be true. Even if it had all been rather un-Leukos like of him…he didn’t think he regretted anything.
Mostly, he was just amazed. Maybe he should try acting like a fool more often? There was a certain lightness in his chest that hadn’t been there the day before, like he’d finally released a breath he’d been holding for a long time. He was just going to take the day as it came, whatever heartaches and joys that may bring. He was ready to face the fallout of his brash thinking.
And yet, when he’d gone through the gates of his work prepared for it to be the last…nothing had happened. Even going so far as to invite himself into Mr. Dullaney’s office after no one had come looking for him, Leukos was shocked to find that even though the man had been totally briefed as to what had transpired in his absence, all he essentially received was a smack on the back of his hand.
Don’t try boning people at work, that’s not professional. You and Faro are going to be working separate rounds of each other, and you’ll be picking up some of the jobs of the Prentices. Don’t let it happen again.
That was it.
Leukos wasn’t mad per se, not by any means. Just…surprised. He would have fired himself: especially after the lie he’d fabricated. It was rather awkward to be prepared to go down as a martyr, and then find out that your execution was canceled. So he’d thanked the man, promising him it would never happen again, and left his office. And even after that, no one gave him any trouble. Sure, he was getting a lot more attention than normal, but no one said anything. Well…not to his face, anyways. He wasn’t deaf: he could hear whispers. But if anyone had any nasty opinions, they had no intentions of sharing them with him. Which was…fine. Having traveled with the circus for years, he was used to it: gossip is basically the lifeblood of any close knit group of people. That didn’t stop him from wishing that they’d just say it to his face and get it all over with. But what can you do: people will be people~
So he’d kept his head low and just continued on with his job, making it to the end of the day. The hard work helped distract from any thoughts that tried nagging at him like buzzing flies, which was appreciated. That and the actual flies: they were bloody annoying as well. But that’s what happens when you get the s**t jobs: you deal with s**t. Actual s**t. And lots of it.
Needless to say, he was more than excited to just be back at his residence, ready to lie down and unwind before he tried tackling dinner. His sigh was long winded as the door swung open, smiling wearily in greeting at the young man behind the desk as he passed. Which was…reciprocated quite oddly? The guy looked like he had a weasel crawling around in his shirt and was trying desperately to ignore it, smiling thinly back at Leukos while he mumbled a greeting. How very strange.
He started unbuckling his armor as the distance to his room grew less and less, finally pausing in front of his door as an unexpected scent seemed to float atop the wood grain of the floor boards. A…garden? Tilting his head in a most perplexed manner, he sniffed again, thinking it might have just been his imagination. But no, there it was: something distinctly floral. Had they just cleaned the floors with some kind of new oil? He glanced around, looking for a woman that might have passed by wearing perfume. But there was no one else― just him.
“Weird,” he mumbled, fishing the room key off his person.
He dropped the leather pieces held in his hands, key forgotten in the lock as the portal swung fully open.
“Gods above.”
A half dozen giant arrangements, explosions of intense indigo hues, were filling the small space with a symphony of sweet smells. Plush blooms mingled with trailing foliage, delicate fluted stems extending like the necks of graceful swans. Walking into an ethereal dream, he was drawn forward, touching a crimped petal reverently. A hand covered his agape mouth as breath barely left his lips, afraid that if he moved too quickly, everything might vanish. “Where did...?”
This had to be a mistake; there was no way all of this was supposed to be for him. Someone had messed up, delivered some lord’s extravagant gift intended for his lady-lover to HIS room by accident. He had to let someone know.
But Leukos was finding it hard to motivate himself to move, spellbound by the whole display as his eyes traveled greedily over every flower, every petal, every sumptuous detail. And then, almost like a mouse among peacocks, he finally saw a small glass container with a big burlap bow wrapped around it tucked away on his desk. Approaching cautiously, for reasons he couldn’t quite understand, Leukos was again struck motionless as he saw what was inside. An unassuming addition to the lavish display―a single rose―was captured like a snapshot in time, perched in its glass cup.
“No way, there’s no way-” he breathed, steadying himself with a hand to the back of his chair. “He didn’t-”
But there was no other way of explaining it: this was intended for him. That was HIS rose. The one he’d given to Niamh just last night. He spun around, getting another look at the room. This was for HIM.
Moisture rimmed his eyes, feeling light headed as he dropped to his knees. His fingers shook as they covered his mouth, smothering a smile that threatened to fly off his face at any moment. “Niamh, you daft boy…”
How much had this all cost? All he’d given him was a piece of paper and one measly flower he’d found; to get all this in return…It was too much. He’d felt optimistic to hope that Niamh would even talk to him, let alone reciprocate any feelings. Leukos was the one in the wrong; that poem had been an apology. He’d been the one to hurt the boy, and yet here he was, surrounded by this overwhelming declaration.
“Well, I guess I got my answer,” he laughed, running a flustered hand through his hair, blushing darker than the blood thumping wildly under his cheeks. How did Niamh even know that purple was his favorite color? What else did he know? Leukos cupped his hands over his face, forehead to the floorboards as he simply tried to keep himself from breaking down into uncontrollable giggling. Thank whatever deity was in the sky that Niamh hadn’t been waiting for him, or else Leukos might have died of complete and utter embarrassment at how giddy he was acting.
They were just flowers. He was a guy; he shouldn’t get so excited over something like this. And yet he was, and Niamh likely knew that he would. Which just made him blush even more; after so little time together, he’d been able to read Leukos so easily?
But the message was clear, regardless of how crazy this all was, or whether or not Leukos deserved it: Niamh still wanted to be with him. He eventually got to his feet, head whirling but grinning from ear to ear. He should thank Niamh.
Right now.
That crazed fire that had overcome him last night flared up again, burning away any lethargy left in his bones from the labors of the day. He would have just risked shaking the information he needed out of whatever poor sod was on duty at Niamh’s hotel that afternoon, were it not for the glimmer that caught his eye. Attached to the giant bow was a single key, and a paper tucked under it. After comprehending the words written there, his grin got even wider, untangling the metal trinket from its burlap prison. He recognized an invitation when he saw one.
After kicking his forgotten armor into the confines of the room, he drank in one more hearty look at the beautiful state his residence was in, before slamming the door shut. There’d be time for more of that later. Right now, he had a boy to find.
[1/10]
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 3:53 pm
"So, Two things..." Talan hummed while leaning on the rear legs of his stool
"Shoot."Pointing to the scattering of papers on the table he continued, " We're obviously not getting anything done here, So you need to get rid of these because paperwork is a drag when you're drinking~ Two, You left the key to your room...... which I illegally obtained......... and the hotel/ room number.......... but you're not there?"The two stared for a moment then broke into laughter. "Fair point... I should probably bring these books... to my room.... and wait a bit, eh?" Niamh gathered the papers and stuffed them into his bag, then stacked the books atop one another."That would be smart of you~" Talan gave a nod and raised his mug, "Go! Claim your booty... But don't you dare forget about me down here... I do know how to break in and if I get too lonely I may join in~"Niamh choked as he drained his beverage, "You~ You wouldn't dare.""You know I would~" He mused while taking a drink from his own mug, "Totally worth it~"Giving him another semi-threatening stare, which didn't phase him a bit, Niamh scooped up his books and scurried off to his room to see if Leukos would show... Climbing the stairs he went to the last door on the right. once inside he dropped off his books, flung his bag over the desk chair, then let his hair down. Such a long day it had been and he never felt like he was really ready to face it. Getting the brush from his bag, Niamh decided to start the day over while he waited; starting with his hair - which needed a thorough brushing, touched up his face, and applied a lip balm; Gods forbid his lips be dry~ Ideally, he would have braided his hair in some fashion, but since undressing and redressing was complicated enough with one good hand, he settled for what he could accomplish. Resting in the desk chair, he began to sort out the mess he dropped on it earlier while he waited for his guest to arrive.
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 5:02 pm
It felt like little bubbles were popping in his blood as Leukos hurried over to the building he’d visited just last night. Should he have some kinda game plan in mind? What was to be expected in these usual situations? Was he supposed to bring wine or something? Admittedly, he’d done that in the past when making house calls and the gesture was usually appreciated. But that didn’t feel like quite the right course of action for this occasion. Maybe all he needed to bring was himself? Maybe that was all Niamh wanted?
The thought was enlivening in its own right. He’d just do that then: be himself, in whatever form that might take. He’d improvise. React in the moment. Do whatever felt right.
Upon reaching the large inn, he pulled the stiff slip of paper out to read the words there for the hundredth time, ensuring that his final destination didn’t get screwed up. He breezed past the front desk and through a hallway, finding his way to the door he was looking for. He thought to take a breath, perhaps compose himself a moment, straighten out anything that was out of place. But again, for some reason, that didn’t feel like the right thing to do. So he didn’t. Instead, he pushed the key into the slot as soon as he reached the wooden door, pushing it open with little warning and no pretext.
There he was, waiting for him. Before the boy could disappear on him like the phantom he’d been for the last 24 hours, Leukos strode right in without waiting for an invitation. Wrapping his hands around the standing boy’s waist, he lifted Niamh into the air and into a twirl, knocking the chair over in his haste to scoop him up. His laughter only lasted a moment before he brought him lower, connecting their lips in the heated, passionate kiss he had been dying to give to him.
[2/10]
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:09 pm
Niamh shuffled a few papers around the desk, flipped through the pages of his ledger - noting the changes made by the vault accountant. He tried to keep busy while he passed the time. There was too much anticipation to actually accomplish anything, but as time went on the anxiety was agonizing. Each footfall that occupied the hallway had his heart pounding with anticipation. It was maddening, and he wasn't the most patient earthling, but as he finished sorting his papers into piles - council, leisure, and grant information...
Footsteps in the hall? They paused a moment, then a click and... Standing, Niamh turned just in time to be scooped up into Leukos's arms. Holding tight as he was spun around, he echoed Leu's laughter, and before he could get a word in edgewise - a Kiss.
But it wasn't just a kiss. It was the kiss. The kiss to end the doubt, the fear, the anxiety that he was unwanted, he was second rate... It made yesterdays events become a distant memory, and the errands, the favors, and the coin he invested completely worth it; this kiss meant everything. And as much as he wanted to stop time and live in this moment for eternity, all things must come to an end and as Leu’s lips parted from his own, Niamh looked into his eyes, "you actually came~" He whispered, smile widening as he pulled himself closer.
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 10:09 pm
“Of course I did,” Leukos replied, a bit of surprise mixed into his tone. “Why wouldn’t I?” Who could possibly ignore a gesture so grand and thoughtful? And this: holding Niamh close―feeling their hearts beat in rhythm together―who wouldn’t want to experience this again? His hands shifted a bit to get a more secure hold after the impromptu lift; wouldn’t want to drop him, that wouldn’t be very romantic.
He brushed the tip of his nose along Niamh’s neck, planting soft kisses in its wake. Curls tickled his cheek, making him smile against the boy’s skin. “Thank you for the unexpected surprise,” he murmured, nipping at the delicate membrane of his ear playfully. “I can’t fathom what I did to deserve it, but it was amazing none the less~”
[3/10]
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Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:29 pm
Drinking in the moment, Niamh raked his fingers along the nape of Leu's neck as he kissed a trail down his neck, That poem was the best thing to happen since he received his letter. Despite the fact he, again, read it a little late... He wasn't about to let this moment slip through his fingers. "What can I say... you're inspiring~" Niamh breathed.
Giggled softly as a shiver ran down his spine, "Oh~" He involuntarily shrugged his shoulder to his ears, "That tickles~" Rotating his head just slightly he nuzzled the Leukos's nose, "Glad you enjoyed my little surprise, but in spite of how fantastic this is, and how I would like nothing more than to knock you onto this bed and spend the rest of the evening tangled up in the sheets..." He kissed his nose and smirked, "If we don't go join a friend of mine for a drink within the next few minutes, we're going to be violated... In more ways than just our privacy~" He snickered while untangling his fingers from Leukos's silky ebony hair.
Stepping away from that moment was one of the hardest things he had done to date, but smiling weakly Niamh spoke, "I'll be here for the rest of the week, probably a while longer. With that key you can stop in anytime; whether I'm here or not. Think of all the possibilities~"
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 8:47 am
 Rather reluctantly, Leukos let him escape the onslaught of his kisses, grinning as the boy squirmed. But his expression was soured a bit as Niamh went on, scrunching his nose up when it was kissed. “Hrrm,” he murmured, pouting for a moment. “Sounds like a bit of poor planning on your part. But alright, if that’s how it’s going to be, then fine: let’s go meet this impatient friend of yours.”
But rather than let him slip away just yet, Leukos shifted his hands, gripping firmly at his rear. “But after that,” he purred, suckling at Niamh’s plush lips. “We’re coming back here…and you’re not sleeping until the sight of your back arched and legs shaking has equaled the number of bouquets filling that room.”
Grinning impishly at him with hooded eyes, he set the boy back down on his feet, pulling away as he tucked a stray curl behind Niamh’s ear. “So, let’s get this other business wrapped up neatly, shall we~?”
[4/10]
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 8:03 pm
Niamh half turned, peering over his shoulder with eyes like saucers. He felt an overwhelming heat building in his face, burning his ears with its intensity. He hadn't had much experience with such tantalizing fantasies, but the mere mention of it caused him to hesitate, "Leaving... We were leaving?" Completing his turn, Niamh slithered his way back to Leukos's waist, "He's resourceful~ I'm sure if we Lock.Down.Everything He won't make it-"
"In through the balcony?" Talan snickered as he strode in through the french style double doors, bottle in hand. "You treacherous whore~ " He pointed an accusing finger in Niamh's direction trying to hide his amusement, "Abandoning your dear friend to drink alone while you finally get what you've been so desperately chasing all week~" Leaning against the desk he retrieved three small glasses from the various pockets in his spacious pants.
For a brief moment, Niamh had toyed with the idea of punting Talan off the balcony, slamming the door, and never looking back. But Talan had accomplished the impossible for him today; against his better judgment, he decided it would be rude... With any luck, he was not too lit and looking to burn down the town.
Pouring out three drinks Talan handed one of the glasses to Leukos with a wink, "an Ambitious goal you set for yourself, Sir. Good for you~" Handing the other shot over to Niamh he raised the vile fluid to toast, "To youthful passion, overflowing libido, and neverending stamina~"
With an exasperated sigh, Niamh amused his drunken friend and took the shot; immediately coughing and gasping for air, "Atun's balls..." holding his throat he set the glass down next to Talan and tried to cringe through the hellfire clawing its way down his esophagus.
Talan slapped a hand to Niamh's back, "Oh, you p***y! It's not that bad~" he groaned and poured another, "The second one's better~" Setting the glass beside Niamh's hand he stole the empty one and refilled it for himself, "Well then, Mister Leukos~ You are- Hmmm~...." He trailed off, lips pressed together to keep from expelling the obvious attraction he was projecting, "You are something else, Aren't you~"
Taking the second shot, Niamh made a face and sucked air through his teeth, "Not... Better!" opening his clenched eye the room dipped down to the left, then up and back to the right. Still hanging on to the desk Niamh groaned, "Oh, you b*****d... what have you done to me~"
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:40 am
Getting exactly the kind of response he had come to expect from the boy, Leukos’ grin split and he showed teeth when Niamh’s whole face went red, thoroughly amused. His hand slipped around Niamh’s hip, fingers hooking at the ridge of his pelvis; he was talking FAR too much about things that didn’t matter right now, he needed some help getting his mind back to more exciting things…
Leukos was already dipping to silence Niamh’s rambling with another kiss, when suddenly they weren’t so alone anymore. A jolt raced from his toes to his skull like a zipper drawn up his spine, reflexively gripping tighter to Niamh as his head whipped to assess the threat level of the situation. But the only weapon wielded by the strange intruder was a bottle of liquor and barbed jibes directed Niamh’s way; judging by the familiar banter and relaxed manner he carried himself, Leukos had to assume this was the friend Niamh had been trying to warn him about. He hadn’t really paid any mind to the supposed threat, but seeing as there was suddenly another young man in the room with them handing out shot glasses, perhaps he should have been more concerned after all.
Detaching himself from Niamh, Leukos accepted the glass in a state of shell shock, half put out by the fact that they had been interrupted, and half honestly impressed that the other boy had been able to climb up onto the balcony with a bottle in hand. But despite his mixed feelings right now, he had to crack a smile at the rather colorful toast, following Niamh’s lead and tossing back the shot as well. He squinted as the liquid traveled down his throat, eyeing the empty cup in his hand. It certainly wasn’t the smoothest liquor he’d ever had the pleasure of consuming; there were doctors who likely used alcohol weaker than this on their patients. It was probably hoping too much for a chaser at the moment, so he simply cleared his throat to help lessen some of the burn, tipping the empty glass in Niamh’s sputtering direction, “Well, cheers then.”
Turning his attention away from his suffering lover, Leukos returned the assessment directed at him, sizing up this ‘friend’ of Niamh’s. Tall, sun kissed skin, lean frame, weathered hands: he was a laborer of some kind, but one whose job wasn't so taxing that the spark hadn’t left his eyes yet. He enjoyed his work, whatever it might be. And judging by the way he was taking his sweet time looking Leukos over...he shared the same interests as Niamh.
“Well, I shall take that comment as a compliment, thank you,” he said to the young man, turning a sympathetic eye on poor Niamh as he rubbed soothing circles onto the small of his back. “Niamh, don’t forget to breathe~” It was going to take more than one measly shot to ******** him up, but judging by the state of the bottle, he might guess that the same could be said of their new guest.
Offering the other boy a charming trademark Leukos smile, he kept his hand at Niamh’s backside as he addressed him. “I’m sorry, you seem to know me, but Niamh here has not been quite as forthcoming. We were on our way down to meet you, but it looks like the party has moved up here instead. So let’s get formality out of the way~” He drew his hand away for a moment, extending it the stranger’s way. “I’m Leukos. And what sort of flavorful personality might I have the pleasure of sharing a drink with tonight?”
[5/10]
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2017 4:20 pm
Inhaling deeply through his nose, Niamh coughed a laugh and managed to utter between breaths, "Thanks.... For the reminder~" Seeing the third shot at his hand he grimaced, "honestly, at this rate, it won't even be any fun anymore..." Picking up the shot he turned to face the two gentlemen sizing one another up, "I'll just be passed out in the corner within the hour."
"Then don't drink it!" Talan exclaimed half tempted to slap the shot from his hand, but there was a more pressing matter that required his attention. Turning his attention back to Leukos he shook his hand in a firm but friendly manner, "You may call me Talan~ and I have a feeling by the end of this bottle you will learn much about me... Should you choose~"
Nimah could see that look in his eyes and knew this wasn't going to end well. It seemed like Talan was always on a mission to run everyone around him into an early grave whenever he came ashore - a perfect sailor out at sea though... focused, driven, mostly sober... "There's a game coming on isn't there..." He groaned as he watched Talan top off Leukos's glass without asking.
"What a fantastic idea, my dear boy~" Talan chimed dragging over a loveseat for the couple to sit on. "Drinking games are one of my favorite passtimes~" He explained while circling around the extended cushioned chair, "You land dwelling folk can't hold your liquor well which usually makes for the most amusing stories. ANYWAY!" Plopping himself into the desk chair he hopped it across the floor to close off the circle they were to form, "So, Rules of the game~" He began by pointing to Niamh, "Since this is YOUR idea you may start! You have to ask either of us a question... and we have to answer. BUT! if it is something we are uncomfortable answering we have to take a shot. Simple, Right?" He paused a moment to make sure everyone had the idea, "Gives us all the perfect opportunity to get to know one another, right?!" Setting the bottle on the floor between them he looked to Niamh, "We can start now."
'I am so screwed...' he told himself while eying the nearly full bottle of liquor, "Ummm, okay. Leukos, how well can you swim?" Niamh asked while taking his place in the circle on the far left side of the loveseat. He decided to start with something simple, that would have later relevance.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:06 am
Feeling curiosity curling around him like a cat, Leukos watched Talan scoot around the room, dragging furniture and chaos in his wake. He was certainly a lively one, like a storm blowing into port, and the best you could hope to do was ride it out. Taking his place as indicated, Leukos crossed his booted legs one over the other, shot glass in one hand and tapered fingers resting against his temple with the other. His curiosity grew to dubiousness as the young man went on to lay out the rules of the game, pursing his lips skeptically.
If his plan was to interrupt their evening completely, this would be a fine way to do it. It could either go two ways. The first option, everyone would play it safe and ask simple questions, in which case the game could go on for hours, keeping Talan with them all night long and likely causing them all to grow too tired to even want to bother with anything else by the time he finally left. The second option: this was a ploy to mine for information, likely resulting in questions that would be harder to want to answer, resulting in more drinking taking place. And judging by Niamh’s reaction and what he knew of him, the boy couldn’t exactly handle his liquor, so he’d probably go down early. Or, alternatively, he himself might feel disinclined to answer the questions, getting him hammered instead: and it was rather hard to perform impressively with much stamina when you were s**t faced. Either way it played out, it looked like the pair weren’t going to be getting into much trouble of the carnal kind.
Or...a third option: get Talan too drunk, making him conk out early instead. He taps out, they politely and responsibly help him get wherever he needs to go to sleep it off, and the rest of the evening is their’s to share. That was the much prefered scenario for the night, but everything he’d drawn from just their few moments together led Leukos to believe that Talan wouldn’t go down without a fight: he was used to these sorts of games, he could probably hold his liquor like a champ. So it would be tough. Maybe impossible.
But it wasn't like he was unaccustomed to hard work.
As Niamh asked his question, Leukos decided then and there to at least give it a try, see how the evening played out. But best not make his intentions too obvious: he’d start out easy, test the waters a bit first.
“Ah yes, swimming, the natural past-time of the Matorans,” He mused, foot lightly bouncing as he continued. “Don’t worry, I’m not a total embarrassment to our people: I can swim. Took a bit longer than many here, I would think, but then again: water isn’t exactly something we have in vast quantities in Oba. I’m still getting my feet wet when it comes to tackling the ocean (no pun intended), but I have a strong foundation. I’m sure Talan here could swim circles around me though: he looks like the sort~”
Leveraging the segway, he looked the other man’s way, resting his chin on his knuckles as he simpered, “So, Talan, what is it that you do here in Matori~?”
[6/10]
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:38 pm
"Oooooh~ A question for me~" Talan squealed with a girlish delight, clapping to each word. "I am a man of many hats; you'd almost be better off asking what I don't do~" He snorted back a laugh, "But to answer your question the best I can, I work for the Lorcan's and my "official Title" is Second Mate of The Esrahim; My title-" "holds enough authority that I can walk all over most of the other seamen, but doesn't require me to be entirely responsible." Niamh spoke in unison, then choked back a giggle, "You always say that~"Talan gave Niamh's shenanigans an amused grin, "The only way I end up in charge is if the Captain, First Mate, and Chief Navigator all leave at the same time. Which they go to painstaking lengths to ensure that never happens. It has only happened like... Twice. Ever." Mimicking Leukos's posture He leaned onto his knee and stared down the man to his right, "My turn~" He grinned while rubbing his hands together mischievously, "So, You say you're from Oba~ In what City did you live longest?" Scowling at Talan, he began to pick up on his motive - this wasn't a game... this was a fisherman laying bait. He wanted information and while Nimah was curious, he wasn't sure this was the way he wanted to get it. Keeping his disapproval to himself, Niamh waited for Leukos to respond in whatever fashion he chose, then asked, "If you could go anywhere - in all of Tendaji - where would you go?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:26 pm
Leukos grinned as Talan explained himself, honestly feeling a bit smug because he had been pretty close in his gut assessment of the young man. He seemed like a man of the sea, now that he knew for sure. And perhaps this helped shed some light on his relationship with Niamh, if only on the surface at least.
He reclined back into the seat, gesturing with a nod off his head and his full shot glass. “Yes, I am a man of the sand~” Figuring it would be best to do away with the thing before he spilt any of the liquor (however much he wished to never subject his trachea to the abuse of it's burn again), he set the cup on the floor near the foot of the sofa. “And the city in question would be the one I was born in: Sulburi, the ever impressive capital of the country. I spent my childhood there before venturing out with our troupe. If you'd ever be up for a a visit, I could give you an insider's tour around all the best places to waste your hard earned coin~”
Figuring that was enough of an answer to the question, he pursed his lips with a smile, indicating that he was pretty much done with that. But not a moment after, Niamh used his turn to ask his question, directed again at Leukos. He cocked his eyebrow at the boy as he spoke, “Well, what a bunch of curious boys you are; I feel like the prettiest girl at the ball~”
But the question was harmless enough, so he chuckled good-naturedly, resting his elbow on the arm rest. “But that is a good question. Hmm...which place?” He tapped his lips, thinking. “Well, I suppose I've always been interested in what snow would be like, since all I've ever really seen is the sand. So I guess Zena? A place so cold the air itself freezes? That sounds like quite the sight. But…” He shrugged, continuing. “If we are counting EVERYWHERE, I wouldn't be opposed to checking out...Belrea? I believe that's the name of the place. I bet there are some pretty fantastic things over there just waiting for our eyes to see…”
He trailed off, leaving that with an air of mystery. But it looked like it was his turn again, so he drummed his fingers on the arm rest, considering what he should ask. “Well, my turn,” he started, looking over at Niamh. “You haven't gotten any love yet, let's ask Niamh something~”
He grinned impishly, thinking of something good. “How ever did you manage to know exactly which room I was staying in, and get inside?”
[7/10]
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:47 pm
Niamh's eyes widen as he looks to Talan for the answer, "I... ummm~"
"Ho, Ho now sir~" Talan scolded with a wag of his finger, "That Is two questions~ but I tell you what! You take your shot as punishment and I will allow it~" His lips curved into a smile.
Getting the nod from Talan, Niamh looked at his reflection in the shot he held between his fingers, "I... got the information from Talan, actually." He wasn't telling the whole truth, but enough of it to satisfy the question, "and since we were delivering the flowers, under the reluctant supervision of the attendant we were able to set everything... up?"
Talan rolled his eyes at Niamh's all too safe response, "That quite little deskboy at your inn... Turns out he's a little bi-curious and well~" He eyed his shot and drank its contents, "He gets off later in the evening when that older gentleman takes over, and after a few rounds of this game... we both got the answers we were looking for~" He purred while refilling his glass, "As it turns out, You're not the only one with this particular set of skills~" His piercing stare fixed on Leukos as he took his turn, "What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever done OR that has ever happened to you?"
Sheepishly curled up in the very corner of the loveseat, Niamh hummed as he thought up a good question to ask Leukos. Being as he seems to have Talan's attention, maybe Niamh could slip one over on the crafty fellow. Not waiting for Leu's response, Niamh murmured, "Talan, Have you heard from Miri?"
Talan's eyes snapped from Leu, his brow furrowed, "That's... your question?"
"Yes, that's my-"
"No." He answered far too quickly. Giving it some thought Talan continued, "She has a way of making herself hard to find when she wants to... Nothing to worry about." Talan's eyes drifted to the bottle at the center of the floor, then back to Leukos, "storytime~"
Hugging his legs to his chest Niamh let out a disappointed sigh, it wasn't the answer he had wanted, but it did tell him one thing; he was being lied to. He must have had a stack of a half dozen letters that were returned to him after circulating the trade routes. No one had seen Miri, and yes, she did tend to drop off the map every now and again, but Talan telling him not to worry had him worried. Something was up...
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