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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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[ 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?

[ With his smile unfaltering: ] Not in the slightest. Only surprised. Do you?

I do not.

Then we're quite fine, no?

I would assume that we are. After all, it seems unlikely that a few cross words, at a dreadful time, would be sufficient to lead anyone to hold a grudge against a person, hm?

[ That gives him a brief pause. Byerly is correct, technically, there's very little use in holding grudges in a world where Vanadi needs all the help and company he can get in his fresh start.

On the other hand, his high position does change things. Honesty is too expensive. ]

I should say any lingering grudge has been thoroughly smoothed over. It was a very nice evening.

Oh, I'm so very glad to hear it.

[ The lack of change in Vanadi's tone makes Byerly quite, quite skeptical of the truth of that claim. Somewhere, obliquely, there's a little ache in him, like abraded skin brushed against something rough.

But - What does it matter? Not a whit. ]

How agreeable you are.

I do my best.

[ He could've convinced himself to stay longer, to enjoy a slow and lazy morning, maybe even to try a bit more of sleep — if he hadn't gotten that name. But he has, and now Vanadi's only goal is to make a graceful exit. First, though, he leans in, beckoning Byerly nearer with a crooked smile. ]

I've got to be going — may I ask one more kiss to take with me?

Hm.

[ Byerly watches as he's beckoned, a little smile on his lips. A moment, and then he makes his choice: ]

No, I don't think so.

No?

[ He drops that beckoning hand, and a second later it's settled to his chest with a wounded look. ]

You wound me. Have I really managed to darken your mood in so little time?

[ Ah, a familiar move. Precisely the one he'd have given. ]

I take rather few privileges from my station, but one of the ones I do take is that I no longer need to ply those who detest me with kisses.