abraxaslogs | i'm reaching for the clouds

The vampires had bloodwine. Which was supposed to be safe to consume, but uh... I wasn't quite brave enough to try that. And lucky for me, you weren't there to dare me.

[ He's smirking as he reaches for his fork, letting it hover over the plate of appetizer with a grin of anticipation. ] Sure, fair enough.

[ He jabs a piece of spiced meat - he thinks it's some sort of fish, fried maybe? - and lifts it to his mouth, waiting for Claude to do the same. Not that he's too worried. Spicy food is one of his favorites. ]

We could look for the spices in Nocwich, they might have some there.

[ Claude's tempted to point out the blood wines are all still available in Nocwich, right there and just waiting and by no means out of reach for a dare, but food's more distracting. As the other man readies a bite he does the same just in time to have his own (silent) logic turned back against him when it comes to looking for the spices. ]

Oh, probably. I meant more the fact that some of the fish we had was raw and same goes for a couple of the meat dishes, and I think it'd be in all of our best interests to not trust me to try replicating that.

[ With one last grin before Claude stops procrastinating and eats the promised spicy bite. Nothing seems to happen at first, even after some cautious chewing just in case there's something hiding somewhere, and he raises an eyebrow. It's deceptive: it's only when he goes to take a second bite that he discovered this is more of a spice level that builds but it's something he can appreciate. So far. ]

On second thought, let's recreate this first. Maybe if we ask really nicely they'll tell us the secrets behind it.

[ Sylvain takes his own bite with a grin as Claude does, taking a moment to savor it. He gets hit with nearly the same reaction, and there's a grin on his lips. One of his favorite things about dishes outside of Faerghus was the array of spices and flavors. Not that his homeland didn't have delicious dishes, but they tended to be hearty and savory instead, and he had a weakness for experiencing new things.

He makes a sound of pleasure as he enjoys that delicious burn that probably borders on obscene, even if for once he hadn't intended that to be the case. It really was just that good. ]

Oh, we so have to try and steal this recipe. [ He stabs a second bite and pops it in his mouth, casting Claude a smirk. ] Maybe you should go try batting your eyes at them.

I think I'll leave any eyelash batting to you, given how you've been upping your game with it recently while working at the bar.

[ Maybe a slight smirk of his own in return at Sylvain's expense while he takes another bite, both over the noise and from what he's seen in the tavern while either loitering around it himself or just passing through. As for the dish in front of them, Claude decides spicy's plenty accurate though it's still good. Now that he thinks about it: those mystery (to Sylvain) choices he'd made with the menu will fit in with this nicely from the guesses generated from those dining hall choices. Crayfish obviously not being one of them, but the others since there were some clues there in what's available.

That can wait, since - ]

Besides, [ as if that's not a lead, ] weren't you the one talking about flirting lessons however long ago it was? Maybe you should try showing off.

I'm pretty sure it would be incredibly rude of me, to have invited you out on a date and then divert to flirt with someone else. Even for something this delicious.

[ He's grinning cheekily as he waves a fork in Claude's direction. ]

Besides. How could I possibly focus on anyone else tonight when you're so eye-catching?

I'm not so sure it counts if I'm the one telling you to do it. Surely there's something in the etiquette books there to counteract it, even if it's a book down in Abyss because that's too scandalous for society to handle.

[ He's reaching for another forkful of food then thinks better of it to take a sip of his ale first. The urge to roll his eyes in nothing but fondness is strong but he resists it while setting down his glass. Narrowly. ]

Yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don't know about how eye-catching I am, especially when you've already told on yourself for paying attention earlier. Don't tell me you've run out of original lines already or I'll be upset.

[ He'll be no such thing, but. Having left their little game on pause is no fun, is it? What a good time to resume it. ]

[ Sylvain's lips twitch faintly as he pops that bite of spicy food into his mouth, rather than continue to wave it in Claude's direction. His gaze is full of impish mischief. ]

I'm not sure you're ready for the lines typically employed at this portion of the evening. Red's not all that flattering with Faerghus blue. And the whole ordeal might be too scandalous for you to handle.

[ Okay, now he is rolling his eyes for that one. ]

If you're looking for a time where lines alone could make me blush easily, I regret to inform you you're several years too late for that.

[ Forget the food; now Claude leans back in his seat and twirls his fork absently between his fingers while studying Sylvain with his head canted slightly to one side in the perfect picture of thought. ]

Fortunately for you, red does go with Alliance colors in a much nicer way. Unless this is just your way of saying you're not up to the challenge? [ Deep and vaguely suffering sigh here fully meant to goad Sylvain on, then - ] What a shame.

[ Sylvain's grin just widens as he watches this play at mock disappointment and then jabs his empty fork in Claude's direction. ]

Oh, don't think I'm not on to your tricks, Riegan. I'm sure you could bluster your way through any bit of innuendo and scandalous suggestions I could toss your way. Which, granted, would be fun. And telling you I'd like to bend you over the nearest surface and see if Hilda followed through on her threat that your undergarments could be as fancy as your outerwear would be right in line with that. Also, very true. But I also know none of that would turn you the slightest bit red.

Well. Maybe the being bent over the table would, a little. No, the things that makes you sputter are feelings.

[ Claude doesn't stop twirling his fork, like waiting is of no consequence at all, like they've rewound a couple minutes and he's waiting for Sylvain to pick something off the menu. Which, come to think of it: is maybe a tad accurate. Maybe even more so when he gets the answer he's fishing for and then some.

Though his expression doesn't change, something beneath it sharpens. Interest, maybe, though for which part - that remains to be seen. Either way, this feels a little bit like a prize even if it's more like the suggestion of one. Better to purse his lips as if he's considering it and everything else at length before shrugging. ]

I'm that predictable, am I? How boring for both of us. [ Now to sit forward enough to prop his elbow on the edge of the table to prop his chin in his hand, still watching Sylvain carefully beneath that now smiling mask. Sure, he could give an actual answer to all of that, but who's to say this isn't one, too? ] Though if you're intent on bending me over anything, you'll have to work harder than that.

See? Utterly avoiding the feelings.

[ Thank you for proving his point. Actually, that was pretty predictable. Although he would never make the mistake of thinking Claude was ever boring.

But he just smirks when Claude's gaze sharpens, darkens a shade. He can literally feel the focus right now. And damn, but that's potent to have fixed on you. But he's no novice at this either. He just smiles, pleased and knowing, as he threads his fingers together in front of him and studies the man back. Watching for everything he's not showing right now. ]

But you're not wrong. You do love playing hard to get. I could offer to let you do the work, if you were picky about that sort of thing, but I wasn't sure you had the first idea of what to do.

[ Which is true enough. He actually had no idea what would have caught Claude's eye, back in school. But he was pretty sure it was a very short list and he wasn't on it. He's still not entirely sure that's changed, despite the words and looks and teasing they've exchanged since he'd arrived. He's not sure what Claude's game is, unless he just enjoys the tease of it. Which is entirely possible, he supposes. But it doesn't mean he's not curious. ]

[ That gets his smile to grow wider as he leans forward more over the table with his voice a little lower. ]

Then maybe you'd better start paying even closer attention because I'm not that hard to figure out. But then again, neither are you.

[ A partial truth. Claude is complicated in an intentional attempt to keep people out, leave them confused with whatever's constantly shifting beneath the evenness he projects, or something in between. But that hasn't dissuaded Sylvain, has it? And so those traps Claude usually sets have gradually had less teeth and more distance between them in a tacit agreement of letting Sylvain closer if he chose to follow the chase, and here they are. As for the part that was some honesty: in all that time together from being here, in all those playful back-and-forths, he's figured out some less visible certainties about the man sitting across from him.

They'll have to wait since the server once again has excellent timing and he sits up to make space for the plates because there's a few of them. It's a good thing the portions here aren't overly generous so it'll be manageable enough. What's set before them includes a fish stew with the addition of hot peppers, some variety of roasted bird with a sauce Claude hadn't recognized the ingredients to, something else that'd vaguely resembled a promise of the dining hall's wild game pie and seems to have delivered - a quiet showcasing of some of what he's learned (or relearned) about the other.

Well, and then there's a vegetable stir fry slathered in cheese which might lean more towards his own interests. Can't let Sylvain have all the fun, after all. ]

Alright, which one are we starting with first?

[ Sylvain's not sure it's actually possible to play any closer attention than he has been. Not that he's going to admit that to Claude either. He's pretty sure the man's ego is well-padded enough.

Although he can't help but chuckle at Claude tossing his words back at him. Yeah, he thought he wasn't all that hard to figure out either, but apparently he'd misjudged how much most people would think to look. When your facade worked a little too well, it wasn't always to your advantage. Sure it served its purpose when he'd needed it to, but realizing it had also worked on the people who were supposed to know him best... That had been a little harder to handle.

But he doesn't have time to think up a comeback because their server returns with a large tray of food, setting out each dish on the table before them. Sylvain's gaze flits from one option to the next, taking in what each one is - and what each of them resemble. Son of a bitch.

He doesn't say anything until the server departs and Claude sits there grinning at him with his typical ease. He jabs his fork in the other man's direction once more. ]

Now you're just trying to show off.

[ Because yeah. Each sample sitting before them resembled one of Sylvain's favorite dishes from back at the Monastery. Ones he'd never realized anyone had paid close enough attention to, to pick up on. ]

[ There's a lot of plates on the table.

And there's no point in pretending he's not watching for that reaction, is there? After all, one large reason in picking what he had off the menu was for this exactly. Whatever expressions flicker across Sylvain's face while looking at each dish as they register in turn - that's the whole point. By the time a fork's pointed his way once more, there's the inclination to laugh or grin even if he's already doing one of those.

Instead, he just widens his eyes in that too practiced innocent look which isn't fooling anyone. ]

Isn't that the whole point of a date?

[ Just a reminder that was Sylvain's own choice of words before he drops the act and waves his own fork a little haphazardly, but with actual intent this time rather than continuing to fidget since now there's more than an appetizer before them. ]

Anyway, if you're not going to choose something first then I'm going to because the pastry's not going to stay crisp on that forever.

I suppose it is.

[ His tone is unquestionably fond as he counters that statement, shaking his head. It's weird. Being on a date with someone he would actually want to impress. Or be impressed by. Claude always has surprises tucked up his sleeves, but Sylvain is still coming to terms with the fact that they're occasionally aimed at him. And not in a bad way. He's still not sure how he should take that. Or any of this.

Just add this to the list of times he really wishes Claude was an easier person to read. Maybe then he wouldn't feel quite so uncertain about what all this is. And as much as he would tease Claude about making him speechless... the other man tends to have the same effect on him at the most unexpected moments. Something Sylvain is very much not used to.

But for now he just hides that behind nudging the meat pie in Claude's direction so he can help himself, even as he ladles out a bowl of the stew to try. ]

Do I even want to know why you somehow remember what dishes I was fond of, back in school?

[ Breaking into the food before the person it was technically ordered for was a rather weak threat, but Claude's not going to think twice about it when what he's eying is pushed his way. A glance around the table reveals he should've thought about asking for a few extra empty plates for courtesy's sake, but all those times camping during the war made for not being very particular about sharing the same serving out of the same dish.

Still, the fork's likely not the best utensil here so he swaps it for his spoon and fishes out a bite from the edge to take a bite with zero caution. The steam really should've warned him since now he has to take a second to abandon table manners to roll it around his mouth to keep it from scalding him. He's got a cocky throwaway comment all ready for Sylvain just as soon as he finishes this bite which is roughly the temperature of Ailell, but - for once Claude thinks better of tossing it out there.

Instead as he gets another spoonful of pie ready, this time making sure to leave it to cool to avoid repeating the initial experience, he takes a second to think of a real answer with his eyes still on his spoon. ]

I spent a lot of time studying people at the academy since I never knew what might be useful out of what I learned. And I learned a lot of things, here and there, but not everyone got my equal attention. Some people were more interesting than others.

[ And that feels a little too close to admitting something, equivocal as it is. Sylvain might've been onto something about feelings since to avoid the tiniest flicker of anxiety well-hidden to anyone looking at expressions alone Claude puts on a thoughtful expression and adds, ] or the dining hall in the Horizon helped me out. Your choice.

[ He might have been more inclined to believe the latter, honestly, because that's just what he expected. But the faintest surge of emotion he'd picked up before Claude had blurted that out made him think otherwise. That the former was the truth and Claude was trying to cover it up.

He ponders that for a moment as he samples a bite of the stew and then steals a bit of the roast bird as he tries to figure out how to come back at that.

Which is how he ends up propping his chin in his hands and eyeing Claude curiously a moment later. ]

You musta been really subtle about it. Finding me that interesting back then, I mean. I was usually pretty aware of that sort of thing. [ Then again, he's pretty sure Claude's still trying to be subtle about it now unless he's reading into things too much. Which he does, on occasion, but the brief glimpses into Claude's emotions tonight are starting to make him doubt that. ]

[ This isn't always the kind of suspense Claude always enjoys being on this side of even if he's used to scrutiny for all kinds of reasons. Causing suspense for someone else and watching it play out? Absolutely. But sitting here studying the pie and being well aware of Sylvain fiddling with dishes while studying him is - different. Not in an unpleasant way if he takes a second for honesty with himself while leaning forward to prod a chunk of meat like it's somehow interesting, but that comment about sputtering continues to tug at the edges of his mind. It makes him feel as flighty as a grumpy lord or two have muttered before.

The wait for whatever will be said doesn't last that long in reality. Claude doesn't bother sitting up as he simply flashes Sylvain a highly amused look. ]

You're not the only one with your own set of tricks. Plus from what I remember, you were a little occupied back then. Maybe more than a little depending on the day.

[ Abandoning the pie temporarily to investigate the vegetables next since he has high hopes for the both the cheese and the amount of it, some of his amusement fades considering it can't all be pinned on Sylvain. There's something else important and something he's self-aware enough to admit as the stumbling block there.

Or here. ]

Then again, it's not like I was the easiest person to get to know either so that likely didn't help with any awareness.

You really do like playing your cards close to your chest.

[ Struggling to interpret that mix of emotion - and seriously, how does the guy have his own emotional language that's completely different from anyone else, this is ridiculous - Sylvain buys himself a moment behind a bite of bird. Which, to be fair, might actually be even better than the one served back at the Monastery, so it's more than a valid delay.

But if Claude can be self-aware, at least Sylvain can be honest in return. Even if that feels way scarier than showing up in public in a dress. He's pretty sure Claude still got the easy end of the deal here. ]

You know, you had me pretty convinced you never would have given me the time of day. That you were way out of my league. Which... Fair, you probably are. And I don't think I possessed a level of "occupied" back then that would have kept me from noticing that if you'd dropped any hints.

[ There's something that escapes him close to a laugh when his tendency towards secrecy is confirmed all over again, partially because it's muffled around a mouthful of vegetables and cheese and also because it's one he forces without really thinking about it. Practicing them for years helps with that. It does not, however, prepare him for Sylvain says next. It's a good thing he's already swallowed his food or he might have actually choked on it due to being caught off-guard.

Back to scrutinizing Sylvain for a stretch of silence as he extrapolates the past to the present. The other isn't kidding, what with none of those usual tells there, and it's not idle flattery either in the way of those lines they've tossed each other here and there for all the sake of laughter. Or... maybe that never was what Sylvain was doing. Maybe that was just an uncharitable assumption on his own part and made it too easy to pretend all he was doing was the same and nothing more.

This feels uncannily like the first time he stood on his wyvern's back and decided to trust she wouldn't send him plummeting. Whatever unknown ground this is still seems as volatile as a wyvern, somehow, and to where the next place to step may not be as sure of footing as it appears. You probably are. Suddenly he feels rather foolish for overlooking the obvious, but that's a feeling he can work with to make it less so. ]

Well. I'm here now, aren't I? And wearing a dress. [ Slight twitch of his mouth there because it's a good time to laugh and for real this time. But he doesn't, because that'd undermine the important part: ] Both because you asked.

Technically, you're here because you're really bad at saying no to bets and dares.

[ His lips are curved in faint amusement, however, not really able to argue the point he suspects Claude is trying to make. He pauses in between bites, wanting to get this out without interruption. Or before he talks himself out of it. ]

But you are here now, it's true. Asked or not. But you're still really good at playing your cards close to your chest. I never know if I should take what you say at face value or not.

Sylvain. If you think I wouldn't talk my way out of doing something I don't want to do all because of the honor of upholding bets or whatever else, think again. I never do anything I don't want to do.

[ Maybe a fair bit of mirth goes along with that because if that guess is right, it's wildly underestimating his usual desire to control an outcome and something else he's aware enough to admit. If asked. The dress - well. He absolutely hadn't wanted to do that at first, that's true. Then the epiphany of using it to mess with Sylvain hit him, then in reality that plan spiraled a bit for a different motivation than that, and here they are.

It's not really an answer to what Sylvain's said. There's parts missing to making it a complete one, but those pieces aren't ones Claude's willing to share yet even if he's certain that's part of what Sylvain's asking. There's still a chance of doing a little more prodding of his own first to get there. Or to show off the other side of that coin of doing what he wants - stubbornness - as he raises an eyebrow because what was said feels a bit like an incomplete thought if that's not merely hope alone. ]

Let me ask you this, then. Are you saying I should be taking what you're saying at face value?

[ Man, this being honest thing sucks. It's also kinda terrifying.

Far too used to brushing off such questions with platitudes or outrageous flirtations anyway, Sylvain has to actually stop himself from just giving the automatic answer here. Because he's pretty sure Claude would see through that in a heartbeat.

Besides. He's still not sure if he should brush this off. Sure, it'd be safer. But that's rarely stopped him in the past. And all the old rules he tended to live by... no longer applied here. ]

Maybe I am saying that. [ Goddess. Had he actually just admitted that? Out loud, even? ] Maybe I wanted you here tonight regardless of a bet to get you here.

[ He needs way more alcohol to deal with this conversation already and it's barely started. Then again, with his luck, he's also expecting it to be over before it begins. Which is why he staves off any other words behind a deep swallow of ale. He doesn't even bother trying to play this one cool. There's no way, it's too late. He's clearly an idiot. ]

[ Some part of him doesn't expect honesty here. After all, it's not like Claude is offering any in anything other than a crumb of it here and there. All placed along a deliberate trail, but it's one either of them could walk away from. Best to always leave an out to keep expectations low, and that goes for both what's offered and what's asked for.

So when Sylvain doesn't take the obvious escape route, Claude's startled even if the only outward sign of it is a blink. A brief one and barely a flicker before he's appraising the other again and without bothering to hide it - not that it's needed since there's a mug conveniently blocking any eye contact or most of it. After a moment Claude has to look down at his plate with his mouth pursed to one side in a poor attempt to suppress a smile since it's not to tease while it threatens to outdo his usual ability to keep an even expression. Not at Sylvain's expense, no; he's trying to temper being delighted even if Sylvain seems to be drowning himself in ale before he's said anything in response.

Because he wasn't imagining it, this, or anything else. ]

Then maybe you should have kissed me in Nocwich when you were thinking about it. [ Don't think he's forgotten about that. Claude looks up without bothering to hide that smile now any longer. ] And then you wouldn't have had to go to such elaborate lengths to get me here tonight, though I still think suspense worked out in my favor then and now.

[ Sylvain's eyebrows wing upwards in surprise as his mug of ale thuds back to the top of the table, sloshing a little inside it.

He... hadn't expected Claude to still remember that, actually. Which is silly, because apparently Claude remembers everything, even inconsequential things from half a decade ago. ]

What did... Are you fucking with me right now?

[ Look. That's an honest question and he feels it's very warranted. ]

Edited 2023-02-16 01:35 (UTC)

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