abraxaslogs | april catch-all

[Kell is an honest to heaven introvert. All this is already too much for him. Too loud, too many people, too close in too tight a space. By the time the song ends he looks around dazed, eyes wide, in full overwhelm. But he's also grinning like an idiot. This is awesome! He's always been drawn to people of boundless energy. He can keep up with Rhy, that's already telling. Lila was a like a bag of feral cats in human form, impossible to tame, and he has fallen for her hopelessly, head over heels, in an instant. He still misses her. Awfully.

So when he looks at Kyle now, it's in genuine awe. Kell feels insanely privileged to be able to see this side of him. It's beautiful, all joy and light, no shadows. He doesn't mind if the price for such sight is some overwhelm for him. A lot of overwhelm. Doesn't matter. He can hole up by himself to recover later, but right now he's too happy he can bask in the glow to care about such pesky details.

So when Kyle extends his hand to him, proposing another round, Kell accepts the invitation within a heartbeat. All beaming as he does it.]

I think I could do another one of each.

[He'd rather like to have a second beer.]

[ Kahlil lets out a soft laugh, and with that encouragement he pulls Kell in to dance to the slower tune. The singer does most of the work on this one, and again it seems like a familiar song to those Thorneans in attendance. Some couples are dancing close: men and women, women and women, men and men.

Kahlil leads at first, keeping a enough space between them to keep this friendly - there's a line he doesn't want to cross with Kell being Rhy's brother. Complicated entanglements - the idea of multiple lovers is new and foreign to him, it'd been over a decade since he'd last been with someone, and a few months here before he was able to allow himself to enjoy something even casual with Rhy. Maybe if it were ten years younger he'd have more energy for more. ]

[Kell likes the slower pace of the song. It lets his pulse slow down, his breathing even. Makes him more aware of his surroundings. And of Kyle. The distance between him lets Kell keep his mind clearer, stops him from acting on impulse. That's a good thing. So used to overthinking everything always, he has an unsteady grip on his spontaneity whenever he gets to loosen up a bit. It's so shaky, it could all easily go too fast too far.

Saints know, he needs not further complications in his life. Definitely not coming from his burning need for at least some measure of safety and security usurping any conscious choice about a connection he'd like to have with the other person. He wants to have a genuine one with Kyle. Not only because the man saved his life, but all the other reasons. Like Kyle being the only other person Kell knows with world hoping powers, a calm and soothing presence. He doesn't want to ruin all that.]

[ This song ends eventually too, and as the crowd applauds again it seems there's a break for the musicians, or maybe someone else's turn to summon the courage to face the crowd. For now, though, there's a break. With another warm smile Kahlil clasps a hand on Kell's shoulder, leading him back to the bartender before the rest of the dancers start crowding it. He orders another round of beer for them, and two glasses of water. ]

Let's find a table upstairs. [ He nods to the staircase that leads to the second floor, where the small tables overlook the stage. Kell can grab two glass and he'll grab the other two. ]

[When the song inevitably ends and the pair of musicians leaves the stage Kell feels a little disappointed. He wasn't expecting much so those two surprised him. Dancing to a slower song didn't feel like he can't keep up. It felt good... right.

But Kyle is smiling at him so Kell can't be cranky for too long. He did say he'd like another beer, so he's glad he's getting one. And a glass of water. He should probably drink more water if he wants to keep his head clear. Well, clearer. He's already not entirely sober. Even that little booze can get to you if you drink it as fast as he did. And it's hot and crowded inside. So the temperature contributes too.
Kyle is right, they should probably sit down for a while.]

Alright.

[Kell grabs two glasses and follows Kyle upstairs. Carefully sets them down on a table when Kyle finds them a free one. It's a tiny one at the far corner. Less noisy, but with no view of the stage. Kell sits down and smiles at Kyle above the four glasses that almost fill the small table. The whole set up feels a little precarious, but he doesn't mind. He has the best view here.]

I didn't know this place has a second floor.

[ Just don't accidentally kick the table and it should all be fine. ]

No?

[ He cocks his head to the side. There's a third floor too, with a handful of rooms that the proprietors also own and rent. Kahlil has never had a reason to go up there though, and doesn't expect to tonight - as handsome as his current partner is, unfortunately.

It's easy enough to spot a couple precariously weaving their way up that way. ]

It does seem a little irresponsible in a place that serves alcohol to have so many stairs...

[ With a grin it's clear he's teasing. But it's nice up here. The servers have all the windows open at this level, dispersing the heat and humidity that gathers around the lower floor when it's too crowded. ]

[He will try not to. Promise.]

I really didn't.

[It's true. Not the second, and definitely not the third. Kell has been to Muted Lute a couple of times. Never had the thought to just look up crossed his mind. He can be surprisingly oblivious to his surroundings if he's not actively paying attention. Which he currently does. So he's easily drawn to the sight a couple climbing the steep stairs to the third floor. He catches himself watching them with envy, idly musing how it would have been nice to follow the same route with his current company. Then promptly kicks the thought deep into the dark for being completely irresponsible. You're having a conversation here, don't get distracted.

Kell returns his attention back to Kyle. It's already drawn there naturally so all he has to do is to change focus. The gentle tease gets Kyle a chuckle in reply. Yes, the stairs might be a problem, especially after a few rounds of something stronger.]

I guess installing portals between floors could have been too expensive for a place like this, but I see where the issue might be.

[Because that's his solution to everything: magic.]

[ He chuckles at that, taking another drink of water. The couple manage to stumble up to the third floor and out of sight without any accidents, thankfully.

The music from below starts back up again, another string instrument and singer. Not as charismatic sounding as the last pair, though, and he doesn't feel like he's missing all too much without a view. ]

How're things at the tea shop? Any more problem clients?

[ He smiles wryly at this too, thinking of the unexpected encounter with the lady blacksmith. ]

Contrary to Kyle, Kell is not wise, more than happy to chug on his beer first and leave water for later.

"Saints, no! I am still to murder Mildred for that first one." Kell rolls his eyes and laughs. "Thankfully, we have no more crazy aunties that call their wives husband."

It doesn't even register in his mind as odd that they are married. It's only how the call each other that's weird. Must be an injoke of some sort that Kell has not figured out yet. He visited the ladies many times since.

"And they're no longer problem clients. If you disregard blatant attempts at adopting me, but that's something I can live with that. They're harmless."

Kell is still bummed about being treated like a child, but overall he has to admit he started looking up to those deliveries. He sometimes even picks up things for them from the other shops on his way. It's not like Torygg can get very far on her own.

"I wonder if Viktor could make her a better wheelchair. One that doesn't needs re-enchanting all the time."

Then there would be small issue of transporting the thing from Free Cities to Thorne. But maybe if he just made plans? Hm.

Adopting...

[ He shakes his head, chuckling again as he imagines an adult Kell like a schoolboy between the two women. ]

It would have to collapse to fit inside a pocket, I think.

[ He raises an eyebrow, having the same thought. He's not sure they can as easily bring something like that through the Nocwich portal as some of the other items traded in the neutrality zone.

He notes too how casually Kell mentions Victor. ]

He's a friend?

I'm serious. I suspect they tried it on Mildred first. That's why she didn't tell a word. She wanted someone else to share in the embarrassment with her.

[Kell grins over his beer. He might be emptying his glass a bit too fast, but hey they're here to have fun and alcohol helps push away the dark thoughts that plague him most of his days, and all nights. Furrows his brows when Kyle points out the flaw in his plan.]

You're right. This could be difficult. I mean, Viktor is a genius, but to make a full person sized wheelchair that can be folded to fit in a pocket might be a challenge even for him. I should just ask him for plans. Torygg is a smith, she might be able to make one on her own, as long as she has right schematics.

[It's telling how Kell doesn't even entertain a possibility something could be impossible for Viktor to figure out. Kell adamantly believes Viktor would be able to pull anything off. Only it could take more time. He's so used to the fact that everyone knows Jayce and Viktor that Kyle's question surprises him, and has enough alcohol in his blood to be more open about his thoughts and feelings than he's ever when sober.]

Oh yes! A good friend. He's Jayce's partner. They're both from Free Cities. Do you know Jayce?

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