faderift | (no subject)

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WHO: Byerly n Vanadi
WHAT: a stray cat (elf) slides around for a visit
WHEN: Third week of August
WHERE: Byerly's place
NOTES: n/a

[ Vanadi has had quite a week, and would like nothing more than to never think of any of it again. That's probably not very likely, but he can at least find some kind of distraction -- which is the thought that brings him to Byerly's door late in the evening, a bottle of gin in hand. He's not certain the man is home -- or even if he'll be welcome in such unannounced circumstances. Or perhaps Byerly might have company, and not be the sort of man (or it be the sort of company) to want to share. There are a hundred reasons this may not be precisely the best idea, but Vanadi knocks regardless.

He looks tired, with dark rings under his eyes, thought of course there's a certain weariness that's always with him and this isn't so far past the norm. He pushes it aside as he knocks, standing himself up a little straighter, pushing his shoulders back a little more. It had been the charming and flirtatious face that had first set him on the right foot with Byerly, so in the spirit of taking no chances, that's the face he pulls on as he waits for response. ]

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Damned right.

[ He leans forward the rest of the way and plants his lips on Vanadi's. The kiss is as much fond as it is a prelude to anything sexy. ]

So you do not despise me for being human?

[ He appreciates Byerly, and he also appreciates that kiss. It's some kind of reassurance that he doesn't care to think too deeply about. ]

Mm. [ He recovers from his appreciation in a second or two. ] I've not given the impression that I do, have I? The body hair is charming, really.

No, no. It's just a bit rare.

[ He reaches out to fiddle gently with Vanadi's long ear. ]

Most elven-folk have some sort of dislike for humans. Maybe because of the centuries of mistreatment.

Ah, well. [ He tilts his head to brush a kiss against his wrist. ] Perhaps you'll be happy to hear it was typically elves looking down on humans, in my world.

[ so like, this is super weird. discrimination is supposed to go the other way?? ]

Strangely, that actually does.

[ His hand comes down to caress his jawbone. ]

Tell me about your world.

Well ...

[ He pulls away, but only to shift position. He takes a seat on the arm of Byerly's chair instead, folding himself comfortably down on it with an arm comfortably along By's shoulders. ]

That's a rather large question, isn't it? It's hard to know where to start.

True enough.

[ Hmm. By starts playing with Vanadi's fingertips. ]

Tell me about your hometown, to start with.

[ He makes a face, but only briefly. Small talk is just what he'd wanted, he can survive a turn towards unpleasant places. ]

It was the city of Aluthsa, tall and glorious, jewel of the elven kingdom, et cetera. [ A dismissive wave. ] It was built into the side of a mountain, which meant a hell of a lot of steep hills no matter where you were headed. Not very well planned, as it isn't very elegant to be huffing and puffing whenever you arrive somewhere important.

[ A laugh. ]

You're speaking to a fellow who has to trundle up hundreds of stairs each day to reach his office.

Also really very poorly planned, as I hope you've noticed. I truly don't know what's wrong with a first floor.

I didn't choose the location, in my defense. And at least people are often too winded to yell at me like they intended to.

Elves are immortal where you're from, yes?

[ that is a pretty solid business strategy, actually. He's about to say so, but—

With a blink: ] Ah, no. Nothing is truly immortal. About eight hundred years is the upper elven limit, I would say.

Hm.

[ Interesting. ]

They've legends that elves here were once immortal. I've heard that, anyway. That it was consorting with humans that took that away from them. Your version sounds more likely.

It does, doesn't it?

[ That's a bit sad, though. He frowns faintly for a moment, but it doesn't last before a shrug dispels it. ]

You know what I do miss about my world, though? The options. You've — what, four different peoples walking about here? And it's really just the humans, with a dash of elves. We had a veritable buffet of them at home. [ He smiles fondly at nothing in particular. ] I was always fond of goliaths. They're very big.

[ Oh ho. ]

Tell me more.

Tell me — what's the largest woman you've ever seen?

Qunari mercenary named, of all things, Anne. I came up only to her shoulder.

[ He sighs fondly at the memory. ]

Height and a mercenary's build? Lovely. [ He offers a dreamy sort of sigh. ] Among goliaths, though — she would be considered quite short, only a head and a half over you.

[ A little bit of an envious groan. ]

How tall were they?

[ He unfolds himself from his seat, straightens, and eyes an invisible figure before him. Then he stretches a measuring hand up — and up. Only when he's stretched to his toes does he nod, satisfied. ]

Somewhere thereabouts. Usually quite wide in the shoulders, too. They're related to giants, as I understand.

Ohh. And you - sampled from this fine selection upon your marvelous buffet?

[ A hand finds his chest in feigned indignation. ]

I'm offended you feel the need to ask!

You magnificent bastard.

[ He flops back in his chair, groaning more heartily. ]

Was it perfection?

It was a workout, to be sure.

[ He settles down again, looking pleased enough at the memory to be able to reassure that, yes, that is a good thing. ]

It was my goal to sample as many, ah, flavors as there were to have, but — [ He heaves a dramatic sigh. ] I never did get around to any aarakocra, the birdfolk. And now I suppose I never will.

I could glue feathers on.