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WHO: Byerly & Vanadi
WHAT: The Morning After
WHEN: Backdated to Sonia's party
WHERE: Byerly's I think??
NOTES: it's post-sexy so whatever content warnings might be associated with that

[ It's been easy to fall into old habits, and it grows easier the longer he's in this world. Last night had been a dive straight back into them, all pleasant flirts, courtly dances, and good company. And then all the rest. Oh, it'd been good to lose himself for a while, to really appreciate another body in a way he hasn't in a while ...

... But he can't let go of all of his recent habits, and a keen discomfort sleeping next to a stranger is one of them. It's been a fitful and restless night, and just as the sun rises he decides he's willing to eschew manners and throw in the towel. He'll catch up with the man later, and make whatever apologies are necessary.

Vanadi sits himself up carefully, not quite willing to unduly disturb the form next to him. The man had been lovely company, there's no need to rouse him so early as this. He peels back the sheets, intending to collect his belongings, dress in the almost-dark, and see himself out. ]

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[ Byerly's a light sleeper. The moment the bed shifts, he's awake, and quickly alert - a natural quality of his, but one that's served him well in his tenure as a spy.

He doesn't let on, though, instead just watching in the dimness as the fellow begins to pull on his clothes. He lets it go on a moment, then asks, cheerfully, at full volume - ]

Can you see in the dark?

[ He pauses at the sound of a voice in the darkened room — a very intentionally loud voice. There even might be a tiny, guilty flinch, which he realizes was probably the aim. But then he glances back with a smile, not quite aware of the way his eyes now catch and refract any faint light. ]

Can't you?

[ He backtracks, taking a half-dressed seat at the edge of the bed. He keeps his voice at a low murmur, more appropriate for such an early morning. ]

I didn't want to disturb you, but I see you're disturbed regardless. How did you sleep?

Edited 2020-07-16 00:36 (UTC)

Magnificently.

[ If the fellow can see in the dark, then By considers it his ethical obligation to arrange himself in a way that's as comely as possible. ]

I was thoroughly spent.

I should really hope so.

[ He appreciates the arrangement, really. He sinks back into a more comfortable lean onto his elbows, a fond little grin in place. ]

I should say, please don't think I was sneaking off. I'd rather like to see you again, schedules allowing.

I should hope not.

[ By's smile is a little crooked. ]

Sneaking off might make me think I was less than perfection incarnate. Highly unlikely.

Please, think anything but. It was a perfect evening, I ...

[ He wears some charming thing of a smile as he leans in nearer, but then pauses with a quick realization. He blinks, looks faintly abashed, then sinks into a genuine grin. ]

I can’t believe it. They’ll have to revoke my license as a man of good manners — my dear, I never asked your name. How am I to find you again without it?

Well, I am a rather chatty fellow. Loud, even.

[ He smiles guilelessly. He'd been loud, yes. ]

True enough.

[ His grin is back again, and he shifts to invite himself into a lazy recline atop Bylerly, arms folded over his chest. ]

I’ll just go about town asking for the handsome rogue who enjoys himself loudly. They’ll point me straight to you.

[ Byerly walks two fingers up Vanadi's chin, resting them on his lower lip. His lips part in a little pout. ]

You think I have a reputation around town? My poor demure maidenly virtue is so offended.

I think —

[ He ducks his head, pressing a brief kiss to the knuckles of those wandering fingers. ]

— I may not be the first soul wooed namelessly to your bed. It’s only a theory I’m working on, though.

[ He drops the innocent act. ]

One of my favorites, though.

You don't want to keep it some anonymous little thing? We could still repeat it even without names.

[ It doesn’t matter in the slightest to Vanadi whether he’s given a name or a call sign, but the question does imply it matters to someone here. He studies the face before him, half lit in the brightening light, and wonders just who he is. ]

We could. [ He quirks a small smile. ] Are those the preferred terms of engagement?

Maybe.

[ His smile grows even crookeder. ]

I have, I fear, come to suspect that you will not be particularly charmed by my name once you hear it.

Do you really think so?

[ He looks amused to hear it, and frees a hand to trail a few fingers down the side of Byerly's face fondly. ]

I would say that's unlikely. I've hardly been here long enough to pick up on any reputations, certainly not long enough form any opinions based on them. Try me.

Edited 2020-07-19 16:56 (UTC)

Hmm.

[ A slight smile sits on Byerly's lips. He turns his head slightly to kiss Vanadi's palm. And: ]

Byerly Rutyer. Head of Diplomacy.

[ He immediately goes still, the little smile freezing in place. He remembers the name. He definitely remembers the name, though it'd slipped his mind as a candidate for "uncharming". The frozen smile falls away as he sits himself up, looking down with an unreadable face at Byerly Rutyer, Head of Diplomacy. ]

And have you picked up on mine?

Given your reaction?

[ By's smile grows crookeder still. ]

I believe I have.

[ His eyes narrow slightly, the only sign of an awful lot of quick thinking going on in his short pause. He keeps circling back to the same conclusion: that the night would have gone largely the same if he'd had known, though he'd have been far less genuine about it.

Finally he heaves a sigh and shrugs, swinging himself off of Byerly and back to the edge of the bed. ]

Ah, well, I have only my own libido to blame, hmm? [ There's something gone out of his smile when he tosses it back at Byerly. ] I hope this doesn't put a damper on anything.

Why must it be like that?

[ Still with that crooked smile. Still guarded, wry, a little cynical. ]

Like what? [ His innocent act is very, very practiced. ] My libido is to blame for not ushering introductions along more quickly, is all I meant.

Like this: that a few harsh words make you look - if my eyes do not deceive me, and it is quite dim in here so perhaps they do - make you look like you've taken a swallow of seawater that someone told you was wine.

[ Vanadi's lips thin while his back is turned to Byerly. In his estimation, though, it's much better to keep a man in this position happy. His pride can take the hit. ]

Human eyes never really can be counted on in the dim, you know. [ His smile is back again when he turns back, leaning close once more. ] We got off on the wrong foot, is it really so surprising to find me abashed to realize your identity?

Did we have an unpleasant evening?

Certainly not, no.

Do you feel deceived? Swindled?