boxofkururu | (no subject)

(no subject)

The Lily Bed apartments were often quiet, for they were rested far from any action. That is, when one of their residents was resting between projects. (Not the Sylph lady, however. Sasaxia was chaotic even if she wasn't around.)

No, in one of the lower-down rooms was Nero tol Scaeva - even if he had put down another name to buy the apartment. Being on the run was good and all, but it didn't give you time or gil. So, to continue his quest to seek out Omega, he'd taken up work of all sorts with Magitek. Claiming to be a reformed Garlean soldier - what a lie. The entrance to the apartment, however, didn't betray the lie. A messy desk lay at the side of the door, covered in plans and books. Well, he had a lot of bookshelves, filled with books from many Era.

Another thing about having a place to rest? He could let himself collect these books on so many subjects. But leaning on one of the wooden walls was Nero himself - dressed in his casual robes and mask.

He was waiting, a wine glass in his hand. (Sasaxia - that Sylph - had dropped off a drink that she claimed was from Lord Ramuh. A curiosity - a delusional lady? Free drinks were free, though, even if it sparked of electricity.)

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Jahri's apartment was quite far away in a nice subsection of Ul'dah, but his wanderlust often carried him away from home in search of new shiny, whirring things to take home. Whether he was attempting to improve them or dismantling them to try and learn more in the long run, he collected books and junk and sometimes when he found a neat little treasure he brought it to the handsome man with the pale blonde hair.

Today was one of those such days. Expected as he was, he wound his way through the houses amidst the forest, marveling as he always did at the weather here. It was warm without the humidity today, and he was thankful as he walked along, clutching a couple of books in his arms. The apartments loomed ahead and he let himself in, ears flitting into a forward position as he studied the clerk at the desk. The elezen took in his attire and tried to hide their sneer, but they were met with an air-kiss in return before the miqo'te continued onward towards Nero's apartment.

He was expected. Or, at least he thought he was. Probably was? Hopefully. Either way he rapped his knuckles sharply against the doorframe, peeking inwards with an interested huff.

"Hey! You in here? I got a book for you! I mean you probably have it but I read it and I thought it sounded like something you might like." Maybe. It was the thought that counted, right? The book looked fancy enough to be something Nero might like.

Not the one he was expecting - but Nero, either way, walked forward to greet the Miqo'te. "It's too fine a day for design to be out there."

Taking one of the books with his free hand, Nero began to look it over - no, it's not one he's read before. Or, at least, not in this tongue. A new translation would be curious, to be honest.

Clearing his throat, Nero then gave a small, charming smile. "Stay, would you? If this tome is interesting enough to catch your attention, then perhaps we shall share words and wine?"

...not that Nero knew if it was a wine. His words were always chosen so very carefully, to hide his loneliness. Once before, he had opened himself, and that resulted in all that World of Darkness mess.

Jahri's smile was genuine when he looked at Nero, friendly and open as he willingly parted with the book for the other to examine, slipping in once he was bid. He didn't seem the least bit uncertain around the taller man, his fluffy white tail lashing energetically as he gazed at the man.

"I'd be honored, thanks!" He had been hoping to be able to stay for a bit-- the weather here was nice and all, but the thought of trying to trudge all the way home too quickly was disheartening. "How've you been?" Not that he knew him all that well but he was interested all the same. People as a rule fascinated the miqo'te and Nero was no exception. Swaggering forward, he paused to stretch his arms over his head, working tired muscles before glancing back and up, eyeing the wine with sudden interest as if it had just occurred to him.

"You had me at words but you definitely have me at wine. What is that, exactly?"

"A gift, from the Elementals," Nero said - answering that first question first. Honestly, he didn't believe that they'd do anything for these people. Why rely on fickle gods?

But he smiled at Jahri, moving to close the door. There was a spare couch set near a fireplace - the table filled mostly with a figurine of Ultima Weapon, with markings and notes made on it. "It's been a time of peace. And you?" he asked, making sure not to mention how he's been struggling to find his way towards his new goal.

"Elementals, eh? That... could go one of a few ways." With every step he turned his head this way and that, taking in everything around him with absolute, unabashed interest. Thankfully he reigned himself from touching anything-- which meant a lot where Jahri was concerned. The urge to touch shiny or particularly interesting things was often an itch he couldn't quite scratch, but he at least had enough manners to realize that that was not his host's problem.

"Peaceful enough. A lot of the usual-- but mostly keeping my tail outta trouble." There was something to his smile that made it hard to be certain if he were teasing or not as he gazed at Nero, his expression warm.

As Nero slipped onto his couch - self-made, of course - he couldn't help but chuckle - grabbing for the bottle, and another glass. "And what ways might those be?" he muses, before laughing.

"Come, sit." Nero, honestly, is trying not to sound commanding. He casually takes off his mask, however, so his face is shown. And, well - he has a few scratches on his face. Perhaps they distracted from the deep purple eyes, with a slight glow to them. "Alas, I've not had the Gil to get into too much trouble. I've had to open commissions."

"Possession, getting lost in a giant beard vortex, or just staring like a fish for eternity! But we're cunning, we'll be fine. I'm good luck besides, so clearly you're in good hands with me here!" He added with a playful waggle of his brow as he settled himself. There was little elegance to the way he unfolded, but at least he had the manners not to throw himself into the seat like he might at home. Someone had done right by the world and taught him that much at least!

For a moment he simply studied Nero, gazing at his eyes and the scratches with a tip of his head. The wine was pushed slightly to the side in his mind as he listened to what the man said, and tried to draw conclusions around what could be read between the lines.

"Anything fun?" He asked, trying to sound casual and not at all excited at the prospect of talking over fun projects for profit. It kept him from asking about the scratches, but he offered more than one look of concern all the same.

"Hah. It was that lass who claims to follow the Eikon of Levin who gave it over," he said, "and I doubt I'll be getting lost in another realm - physically or mentally."

Nero won't let it happen - though he's noticed his tongue is a little looser then he'd like. Had this drink been spiked? It tasted good, but he didn't care. He closes his eyes, and smirks a little. "Most of these sa-- Eorzeans have been wary about quite a bit I make." There's a beat, and then: "But some of the more... lewd people of Eorzea have gotten quite some interesting requests made."

Like being a furry artist, making sexy toys sells.

"No beard vortexes for you, huh? Smart man." He was relaxed, eyeing the bottle for a long moment, weighing the pros and cons before offering Nero a beseeching glance while holding a hand out. "Can I taste it?" Those deep purple eyes caught him again and he found himself staring before Nero's voice once again diverted him, reminding him that manners were a thing he was supposed to have to at least some small degree.

Staring was rude, no matter how attractive the target. Stare in small doses so as not to be creepy.

"They're not giving you a chance?" He paused, ears flickering forward, a frown marring his face as he contemplated that. Perhaps there was reason for it-- people were wary, and maybe they had reason, but he didn't really understand it. Thankfully, the pensive expression was short-lived as a wide grin split his lips at this sexy new tidbit of information.

"But of course they'll show up for the fun stuff. You'll have to show me sometime." Of course they sold. There was always someone out there desperate for an exciting, shiny new toy.

Nero pours a second glass of it, to hand over to him. He enjoyed the staring, if he was to be honest. Look him over, give him love. But, he slid closer to him, his coat staying bundled under him.

From closer, his eyes still seemed quite purple - but it wasn't just the iris. No, his pupil was a deep purple, and the sclera was ever-so-slightly tinted. (Nero knew this. It's why he tended to wear eyewear or contacts - but today, he couldn't be bothered for... somebody he liked.) Offering him the glass, Nero snorted. "And why would they give me a chance? Garlean, remember."

The subject of toys, though, made Nero smirk a little. "Ah... I don't think you're quite worthy of a demonstration." Nero stated, with a soft, casual sigh. Even if, in the back of his mind, he wondered what it would be like to witness that from a Miqo'te. There weren't many in Garlemald, after all - his kind were much more common.

Jahri held off on sipping at first, holding the glass close and examining it and the marvelous liquid within as he made himself comfortable without taking up too much room. Eventually though as Nero settled himself closer, the miqo'te looked up, studying Nero once more with that pleasant smile. He still wasn't sure about his eyes, but they didn't seem to be doing him any harm thus far--and they were incredibly nice to look at, if he was honest with himself.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." And he honestly sounded relatively put-out by the idea around it. But then again, thus far he had been incredibly open and receptive to talking to Nero with little inherent reserve. This would continue.

At talk of a demonstration-- or lack thereof, the miqo'te winced, drawing his gaze down to the strange wine in his glass. Ouch. But he could take a hit and keep rolling and a moment later he pushed it down and back and lifted the glass a little in a little mock-salute before taking a long sip.

Though, as they rested together, Nero wrapped an arm around Jahri - mostly because he felt rather off. Perhaps gripping to somebody would help that. He didn't get drunk this easily - that would be embarrassing, to say the very least. "It's a pity most Eorzeans simply look at one and disregards them for a third eye."

Or a taint. Softly, he laughed. Perhaps this was more potent then he thought - there was no way his condition had anything to do with it. "The great Nero tol Scaeva, reduced to making sex toys."

After the one comment, he hadn't expected an arm to wrap about him but there it was and Jahri snuggled a little closer because of it. Idly he took another sip, rubbing a thumb over his glass as he contemplated his words and what would be best to say in the situation. There really weren't any platitudes or 'it'll change, just give it time!' that wouldn't have sounded like lip service and that was not the sort of lip service that Jahri gave.

...this wine was strange. Not... bad. No, it was actually quite good, but there was something different about it. But he pushed that down and back as well, tipping his head up to study Nero anew.

"A stepping stone. You gotta think of it as a stepping stone. And there's another out there, and you'll head for that one." He pushed his face to the wineglass for a moment, rubbing it against his cheek. It felt so nice and cool at the moment-- another sip wouldn't hurt.

"Forward and back - starting from the beginning over and over. It's disgusting."

Nero had finished one glass - but he remained holding, his eyes slowly closing and opening again, with soft blinks. He didn't feel drunk - no, when he was drunk he was angry, he let his facade of friendliness drop so very easily. The thought of the drink being altered by whatever the Sylph did had slipped his mind.

But he still felt frustrated. "When Garlond fled, he didn't need to do something so degrading. As far as I know, that is," he mused - getting closer and closer to the Miqo'te. Their ears were always so curious.

Thus far, Jahri couldn't pick up any traces of ill feelings on the strange but delicious liquor, and that was more than enough reason for him to keep drinking. Honesty, he couldn't place what it might have even been made of-- and then thought better about asking because he wasn't really sure he wanted to know. Sometimes a mystery was better as a mystery.

"You'll figure something out. You're clever, you're quick-- much as it sucks some people just don't see it right away." His ears flickered upwards, a row of small golden rings glinting in the light along the edge. He turned his head slightly as he quaffed another mouthful, gazing up at Nero with a sly grin.

"You'll figure something out."

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only