abraxaslogs | i'm reaching for the clouds

[ It only takes a little bit longer before Sylvain makes a choice. A hand rests on his rather decisively and if Claude wasn't already smiling: that would've done it. As for that first part of what's said he just hums in response, far more concerned with shifting his hand only enough to be able to curl both his ring and little fingers around Sylvain's thumb to keep the other's hand right there while stretching his other ones to draw abstract shapes along Sylvain's wrist. A tentative move, in a way, but given the sort of lack of answer about lines he's not going to push them. For now.

For show - and because he picked up on Sylvain shifting the topic away to something pointed less directly at him as that grin appears - Claude puts on a look of deep contemplation, studying the ceiling above them as he 'thinks' for maximum effect. ]

Hm, I suppose that's one way to put it. [ Never mind that it's as good as saying yes in far more words than a simple answer would've been and Sylvain's going to see right through that for what it is as he looks back down. Time for a different tactic since absolutely none of this means he's going to stop pushing the other's buttons any time soon. ] If that means you're about to look scandalized like Seteth hearing someone say the hymns he picks are boring all over again, I'm sorry to tell you it's not gonna make you any less endearing. But you'll still rank above Seteth, in case you were wondering.

I feel like 'ranking above Seteth' isn't actually that difficult of an achievement.

[ Just saying.

But Claude also hadn't said no to his accusation, which was interesting on a multitude of levels. He keeps his fingers tangled against Claude's, maintaining the contact. Enjoying the slide of fingertips against the inside of his wrist.

It was official. Tonight was not going at all like he'd expected. But he wasn't exactly disappointed by that, either. ]

Unless, of course, you've been harboring a secret crush on him all this time too, and then I have to sincerely reassess my opinion of your taste in anything.

[ Claude's immediate (internal) reaction to that is disgust. Sure, Seteth is probably someone's type somewhere, if one liked deeply uptight church officials, but both of those and all those other revelations he'd learned through the war solidly put the man in question far and away from ever being a possibility in this life or the next.

But. Never let it be said that Claude won't take a chance to be ornery whenever it's offering, and Sylvain has certainly provided him a particularly entertaining option.

Rather than letting any of that dislike show, he makes a show of taking a deep breath and turning his gaze down to the nearest plate with vague distress. There's also letting his hand in Sylvain's go still and staying silent to further double down on making this as believable as is required for entertainment's sake. ]

Geez, you've really found me out, haven't you. [ There's no small amount of distress in his voice when he looks up. Hilda would be proud of this performance. ] Sorry to say that if he ever gets summoned here, I'm just not sure I'll be able to contain myself. That's not a deal-breaker, is it?

[ He can still feel your amusement, Claude. Thank the goddess. He might have flipped the table.

But he just smirks in return, arching one eyebrow, and doesn't pull his hand away. ]

Oh, it'd definitely be a dealbreaker for him, sorry to say. My typical reputation back home sounds like a bucketload of compliments, compared to his opinion of me, so you might want to keep me your dirty secret if you hope to have a chance there.

[ At least that joke's an easy enough one to make. One he's gotten used to making. Even if the words are all true. Those usually make the best kinds of jokes anyway, in his case. The benefits of no one taking him seriously. ]

[ Unfortunately for Sylvain, one of those things he's figured out about the other? That list includes this: times where something's said as a joke, one they're both supposedly in on, and something he's certain he's supposed to laugh at as the expected reaction. All very funny, surely, except they'd both be faking any amusement in something else they both have experience with.

He's partially committed to this facade of deep Seteth related distress - for the next few moments, anyway - which conveniently gives him a cover to consider this. To pick apart those words for what's beneath them, in what Sylvain's saying while not saying and what matches something Sylvain's told him before now that he's mulling it over. ]

I hope you're not implying I have some kind of reputation to preserve here or anywhere else. [ So much for the act as he smooths his expression back out into something intentionally neutral to peer at Sylvain and that smirk, his tone implying this is something all rather benign and not a sore spot for one of them. Maybe both of them. ] Have you forgotten who you're talking to? You and I share the unique position of having traded number one and two positions in rumor mills often enough. That ship sailed a long time ago.

[ Sylvain just chuckles, glancing down at the plates now as he distracts himself from that pointed gaze by busying himself with several more bites of food. ]

Yeah, but your rumors made you sound mysterious and interesting. In fact, I'm pretty sure the mystery you built around yourself only helped your reputation, even if it didn't always seem like it.

[ His had been the opposite. But then, his reputation had always been carefully curated for far different reasons. ]

Uh huh.

[ Claude doesn't even attempt to make it sound like he buys that for a second. He does, however, resume drawing random shapes on Sylvain's wrist again mostly to help himself to think and possibly to hedge his bets about where those thoughts lead in setting a small trap.

He never has been able to resist pulling on a loose thread to see where it it leads. If Sylvain had intended for that to dissuade him in some way, it's not happening. Even if he has to give up a scrap of honesty in return. ]

I'm sure it could've seemed that way. Or, alternatively, it might've been because that was easier than countering any of what was said. Anything about that sound familiar?

[ Sylvain just shoots him an innocent (if slightly confused) look. Then he just shrugs. ]

Trying to counter all the rumors and gossip back there was a pointless and exhausting exercise. Better to spin it and use it to your advantage.

So, it is familiar.

[ He wasn't actually expecting to receive a 'yes' or a 'no' to that considering it'd be revealing too much, he's sure, but Claude's counting that as confirmation all the same. Someone who wasn't thinking that would've just said something about defending honor, or how petty idle chatter can be, or any number of things he'd heard suggested over the years.

Spoon still in hand, Claude readies another bite of the meat pie with all the calmness in the world. ]

Especially because there are advantages there, but only people using them think of that first. Everyone else just gets their feelings hurt by whatever's being said and goes right for the righteous indignation. Their loss on a good tactic, though learning to ignore it's easier said than done.

[ Sylvain just waves a fork dismissively at that. ]

It's hard to fall back on righteous indignation when they're right. [ He quips the words lightly, one corner of his lips quirking upwards. He stabs a bit of meat pie instead, still maintaining a mask of nonchalance, like he had learned to ignore all those rumors ages ago. Which... was partially true. He didn't care much about the words bandied about by strangers, that was always going to happen.

It was when they started being shared by people who weren't strangers that it got harder to ignore. ]

[ Something about that response presses a very specific series of buttons buried deep within Claude somewhere. There's a flash of some unnamed feeling, something maybe adjacent to that indignation he'd teased about a second ago, and yet - here it applies in a different context. He studies Sylvain while chewing his mouthful of food to think his response through from all angles, then shakes his head after he finishes it. ]

Just because people repeat something about you over and over doesn't mean they're right or anyone should believe it.

[ Even to his own ears his voice is too neutral, too even, too devoid of what he might make sound like a joke as he does with most things, were it anything else. But it's not, it's this, and he takes a sip of his mostly forgotten drink. Smile back in place, too, as this particular mask he's not letting go of. ]

But what do I know? Maybe the rumors these days are all about how you're a dashing valiant knight right off the pages of those Faerghan books. In which case, forget what I said. That's worth believing in that case since that's just obvious.

[ Claude's guessing about the evolution of rumors about Sylvain's reputation gets a soft but very derisive snort from him. ]

I think we both know that's very unlikely. [ Once gained, such reputations are near impossible to shake or change. He's long since resigned himself to that. ] Pretty sure we both know that I'd be a stain on 'valiant knights' as a whole and my membership invitation has been eternally revoked.

[ He doesn't sound all that broken up over it, at least? ]

But I can't say I hate the fact that no one knows who I am here. Or cares. It's refreshing.

[ There's a long pause after the first half of what's said on Claude's part. The impulse to argue it is there as always, possibly even more than usual because of the topic, the person, everything else - but. Sometimes it's worth choosing when to let the bulk of a disagreement go for now and this is one of them. In lieu of continuing to tug at a thread refusing to unravel, he just fixes a pointed look on Sylvain for a drawn out moment and then goes back to eating. ]

I had the same thought when I arrived. There's a lot of things about Fodlan that are - [ how to put this delicately - ] unfortunate, and getting away from that isn't a bad thing. Even with the rest of what's going on here it still gives us a chance to redefine ourselves.

[ Something he's assuming either Sylvain's saying in not so many words, or that the other man's about to have that same revelation if he hasn't already. One more important thing though, and for this he immediately frowns. For full effect, even if he doesn't mean the frowning part. ]

Way to sidestep my compliment, though. Don't think I don't have other ones up my sleeves especially since this dress very helpfully has voluminous ones.

[ Sylvain is still figuring out what 'redefining himself' entails, honestly. And he'd prefer to have a better idea of that before having to talk about it.

Which is why he sidesteps that topic entirely for the moment - kinda like the compliment Claude had accused him of. Which he still isn't really acknowledging. Instead, he just grins, fingers teasing against the inside of Claude's wrist once more. ]

Like that, huh? It also has pockets. I don't think you understand how hard a find that was. Hilda was very impressed.

[ He's supposed to be eating, but Claude has to stop to laugh at that. Don't think he didn't notice that there was yet another sidestep immediately after he'd pointed out the first one, but he'll ignore it for now. ]

I tried to give this dress to Hilda, you know. Now I'm just impressed she stayed strong in not taking it for herself with all this thought the two of you put into it. Or maybe you're just regretting not getting it for your own wardrobe?

[ And, because it's been a minute (or several) since he's last done this - time for some creative shifting around in his seat where he won't have to let go of Sylvain's hand while simultaneously stretching one leg in a too casual stretch before crossing it over the other again. Just because. Definitely no ulterior motives here. ]

Technically, this is your color.

[ Sylvain just grins at him, even though his gaze doesn't miss any of that. He is, however, at least pretending to be a gentleman tonight. Even if he is enjoying the tease for what it is.

Dress aside, Sylvain's finding his favorite part of the night might actually be Claude in those boots. ]

Oh, I bribed her with her own bottle of dye. [ he informs Claude impishly. ] Although I'm sure she wouldn't be opposed to accepting it after. Unless you like it enough to work it into your regular wardrobe, and then I'll have to find another way to soothe her disappointment. It will probably involve an ugly hat.

[ No one tell Hilda he insulted her sense of hat fashion. He likes living. ]

And while it is my color, the ruffles are on the wrong end. Alas.

[ As if that would be the only reason. ]

[ Ah. Bribing Hilda with fancy dye is a very smart move, and Claude's begrudgingly impressed. No wonder she hadn't been so willing to trade without something better offered to go along with it, though he's still likely to offer this dress to her. Never mind that they have a decent height difference since there's probably a tailor or two who could make that work.

He is going to raise an eyebrow at one particular mention, though. ]

Don't let her hear you say that about the hat. Weren't you the one who got too much sun and regretted it not once but several times over? Having a bunch of hats would help with that.

[ Helping! More like teasing and obviously so since even when he takes another sip of his drink amusement's still quite clear on what's visible on the rest of his face and then more so when the glass is placed back on the table once more. ]

Oh, well. In that case, tell me more about your preferences. I'd hate to buy the wrong thing sometime and offend your ruffle sensibilities.

She's already getting me hats. It's been terrible. [ That's not a real complaint, his voice is too full of laughter to let it be remotely honest.

He's trying not to dwell on how comfortable this is. Sitting here playing at flirting and teasing, hands still brushing the whole time. Not what he expected at all, but he's not complaining about that, either. ]

Most of my preferences don't involve ruffles at all, so I think you should be safe.

[ There's nothing to say to Sylvain's hat predicament that a fond smile can't say better than anything else about Hilda's antics. The same goes for the complaint about it supposedly being terrible - one he's voiced himself a few times, and had done so while putting this dress on - in what's also a familiar routine.

The rest of it, however? ]

How very coy of you. You know leaving that so open-ended is a dangerous move, don't you?

[ Look - that's not a tease. Or not completely one since there's still plenty of that in there, especially when when he puts on a mock frown following it. ]

I'm not so sure that saying your preferences don't involve something really counts as an answer, anyway.

Did you really expect me to make it that easy on you?

[ He's still teasing, because the strange combination of bickering and flirting he and Claude seem to frequently dip into is becoming one of his favorite things. It's responsible for the mischievous grin lingering on his lips, at the very least. ]

Besides. I know you love a mystery. I'm totally helping.

[ Not that he expects Claude to buy that excuse either. ]

That's an interesting idea you have in mind for 'helping' considering the whole point of asking was to benefit you.

[ Just to make that clear, though he has a feeling Sylvain knows that already. What would be the point of even wondering aloud otherwise? Time for a shrug just to further the teasing. ]

But fine, keep your secrets. If ruffles aren't your preference then I always knew it was lace anyway. And you could - [ time to lean over slightly in his seat to appraise Sylvain's current shoe choice before nodding as he sits back like he reached an important decision here - ] find some nice lace stockings to go with those boots.

[ Sylvain just laughs as Claude leans close and then nods at what he finds. But before he answers, he gives a very pointed look at Claude’s crossed legs, letting his gaze travel up the entire exquisite length of them. ]

I’m pretty sure we both know the lace stockings would go much better with your boots.

[ Yup. Still his favorite part of the whole outfit. Although he appreciates how much the skirt lets him openly admire them. ]

[ Even if Sylvain was being subtle - which he isn't - Claude would've been all too aware of that gaze. And, well. If Sylvain wants something to watch, that can be arranged. ]

Huh. Guess I was right about lace being involved, but maybe I should've specified laces instead.

[ There's emphasis on the plural in obvious allusion to the ones on the front of the boots Sylvain can't stop admiring every time they're mentioned. Or moved, which is really the helpful part here and what spurs on testing a boundary because sitting still for too long is rather boring.

All the better to uncross his legs to stretch one out to wedge it between Sylvain's. Kind of. At ankle level, anyway, which is hardly exciting given they're both wearing boots and makes for a lack of... any contact, and ankles aren't particularly noteworthy for it either. But. What was that about anticipation again? ]

No, I think these particular boots would cover them up far too much. You've spent a lot of time staring at them tonight, so wouldn't you agree?

[ Sylvain's favorite thing about boundaries... is tossing them out the window when they no longer apply. And since that was definitely either a flirt or a challenge - or both at once - he decides to roll with it.

In a move that probably shouldn't be as smooth as it is, he separates his own ankles where they'd been crossed beneath his chair, casually keeping the heel of Claude's boot hooked overtop his own. With a movement that looks like he's about to cross his own legs, he instead ends up lifting that booted foot to rest atop his knee with a smirk, reaching down to catch it and steady it with one hand, just in case. Not that he needs to, but it gives him the excuse to partially curl his fingers around the leather-covered ankle. Which Claude doesn't think is all that exciting, but Sylvain knows anticipation builds in different ways and he knows how to play with it.

In fact, the laces up the front are just loose enough that he can slip a thumb beneath them to rub against lace-covered skin tucked away underneath. ]

I don't know. I think there's something to be said about the anticipation the tease of what's hidden just enough can build.

Now you're just stealing my lines, Gautier.

[ Claude sits back in his seat with a smirk, all too pleased that it feels like Sylvain's taken the bait. He's well aware of the chances he'd being led towards something just as much. That doesn't mean he won't enjoy pulling strings along the way now that he's been presented with an additional array of them. All the better to see where they all lead through one orchestration at a time. ]

Weren't you the one who tried to say there was such a thing as too much anticipation earlier? Look how that's turned around now.

[ The touch to his ankle is a small distraction, certainly, given that Sylvain's taken the chance to be crafty all on his own at the open invitation to do so. But it'll take more than that to make him waver or lose his focus, and with his free hand he gestures to what's happening. ]

Not to mention you're telling on yourself entirely, what with not disagreeing about your very careful studies tonight.

i'm reaching for the clouds

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