contact part deux

[bouchonne]

if this were modern times byerly would probably make you listen to total eclipse of the heart before you were able to leave a message

Comments

[indissection]

Byerly. [ She’s shaking her head. ] I am being quite honest. I am glad you have found those that bring you joy. I am.

[bouchonne]

I am as well. Honestly. Happiness is a strange thing, and a rather uncomfortable thing, but I am glad of it as well.

[indissection]

I know you shan’t believe me, but you deserve it.

[bouchonne]

You've too much kindness in your eyes, Sidony. But I am not displeased by that.

[indissection]

You’re one of the few who would call me kind, Byerly.

[cozen]

Really?

[ He lets go of one foot so he can try using his fingernails to tickle the arch of the one he's still holding by the ankle, with an expression akin to a alchemist pouring one experimental liquid into another. ]

None at all?

crystal

[highborn]

Byerly, I'm brazenly seeking gossip. Do you have a spare moment?

[bouchonne]

[ Immediately and with passion: ]

Oh Maker yes, absolutely. When and where.

[highborn]

Here and now, unless you think wine might improve the experience. In which case, my room, ten minutes?

[bouchonne]

Are you providing the wine, or am I?

[highborn]

It only seems fair that I do, as the one digging.

[bouchonne]

Then yes, I most certainly shall join you.

[ And, ten minutes later: a knock. ]

[highborn]

[ There's much less wariness with an anticipated knock, imagine that. The door swings open, Byerly is ushered briskly but warmly in. The place is still pretty tragically uninhabited-looking, but there are at least a few touches that suggest someone might possibly live here once in a while.

Such as: ] Good news: I have glasses this time.

[ A whole three of them, all set at the little table (with nowhere else to be stored, really), into which he quickly pours two generous cups of red wine. ]

[bouchonne]

You're moving up in the world, dear Vanadi.

[ He picks up the glass soon as it's poured and lifts it to him. ]

Let's drink to that.

[highborn]

[ His smile is wry and distinctly self deprecating, but he'll humor that with a lift and a drink regardless. ]

Appreciated. [ He slides into the not entirely comfortable wooden chair and under the table nudges the other one out for Byerly. ] So, what can you tell me about Benedict?

[bouchonne]

[ By pauses halfway through sitting down, a grin on his lips. ]

Oh, Benedict? Why do you want to know about him?

[highborn]

Because there's clearly quite a story there, but it seemed rude to press for it.

[ much more polite to resort to gathering gossip behind his back! especially because, technically, he has permission to. ]

[bouchonne]

So there is.

[ He finishes sitting down. ]

You know the fellow is my assistant, yes?

[highborn]

Oh? I do now. And this hopefully means you know quite a lot, and not that you'd be reluctant to share it.

[bouchonne]

Hm. That may depend a bit on what your relationship to him is.

[highborn]

[ He spends a few seconds considering that, head tipped, looking thoughtful. ]

Well. Randomly offered blowjob aside, I can't say there really is any relationship.

[bouchonne]

[ A little laugh of surprise. ]

He offered you a blowjob? Surely not truly at random.

[highborn]

[ He casts his mind back, going thoughtful again as he digs for any memory of lead-up, of flirtatiousness between them prior to it. But, nope, coming up empty. He shakes his head. ]

Truly it was. Not quite my style, if you can believe it.

[ Which, well, would probably be more surprising to anyone who'd known Vanadi previous to arrival here. He has gotten a bit cagey lately. ]

[bouchonne]

What, there was no...seduction, nothing?

[highborn]

[ He offers just cocked eyebrows and an apologetic shrug. He's had crasser moments, to be sure, and furthermore having enjoyed many of them is not quite a paragon of class himself, but it was still worthy of a little judgment. ]