CLOSED | if being strong's your kind,

[murderbaby]

WHO: Vanadi, Athessa, Mhavos.
WHAT: stupid elf drama.
WHEN: post-the post-murderhaus log.
WHERE: Somewhere in Lowtown
NOTES: Emotional and romantic drama is the point of a fantasy wargame.

There is a reason Mhavos generally avoids any communal drinking activity, and it's rather obvious: he doesn't drink, and doesn't commune. He doesn't loathe them. He just doesn't feel comfortable at them, and however well they go, he's happy to be rid of them.

Anyway, he's been nervous all night, because... well, because he doesn't want to hurt anyone. Walking out onto the street, he makes a few quick strides to catch up with Athessa, hoping Vanadi, nearby, is out of earshot.

"I-... need to speak with you. It's of... well, of some import." Yet he's staring directly at Vanadi's back. What an utter master of subtlety.

Comments

[sulahnan]

Athessa laughs, first out of surprise at the kiss, then because she recognizes why Vanadi is doing this.

"I don't think he's trying to make you interested in me, little brother."

[highborn]

Please, as if he could read Mhavos as interested in women — or in Athessa, of all people. Vanadi huffs, but it's amused.

"I think I would know better than to try!" He slides between them, releasing Athessa to set his hands on Mhavos instead for a more direct approach. One at his chest, one cupped light at the side of his neck. "No, I'd very much like to know if I should be pretending that I don't think of kissing you with some frequency. I'm perfectly willing to make the attempt."

[murderbaby]

Mhavos rolls his eyes again, but he recognizes that this is some sort of joke, an expression of familiar humor between friends. His part is to play the stooge, while the others poke at parts of his personality they find endearing.

It's unexpectedly nice to feel included, even if it's technically at his expense.

Still, his expression remains flat, even as it shifts toward Vanadi. "I would prefer you didn't, if it's simply to prove a point. I've already kissed you in public, you lout."

[sulahnan]

Athessa tsks. Poor Vanadi, to be thus rejected.

[highborn]

Hmm, he senses he's not quite being understood here. Thanks for the backup, Athessa. Willing as he is to detach and give the man his space back, he still has to try: "And if it weren't to prove a point?"

[murderbaby]

Almost grimacing, Mhavos quickly spits out, "of course I'm not going to stop you."

[sulahnan]

"Oh, just kiss already. Honestly, you two." She rolls her eyes.

[highborn]

It's not the most solid reassurance he could be given, but it does make him grin, so it will do. Both hands hold either side of Mhavos's face and he does indeed kiss him. It doesn't last so long as Athessa's, which had been to make a point, but it ends with a quick peck to the forehead before Vanadi pulls away entirely.

"Right," Vanadi declares, pocketing his hands and feeling very, very pleased, the kind of pleased he had quite honestly never expected to feel again. "Then it's settled. Expect more of that going forward."

[murderbaby]

Mhavos manages a glare that could only be described as bug-eyed, leveled squarely at Athessa. And then he's being kissed, and it's sweet and soft and unconcerned, and Mhavos follows suit, losing a small percentage of the normal level of tension he perpetually carries with him.

The kiss to his forehead would leave him weak-kneed, if they didn't have company, and thank the Maker they do. How embarrassing.

"I'd never dream of restricting you," he says with something that's not quite displeased enough to count as a sneer, "I'd hate to disappoint the audience."

[sulahnan]

"Some audiences wouldn't mind a little restriction," Athessa points out with a waggle of her brows.

Don't mind her, she's just here for a little comedic relief right now.

[highborn]

"Oh, is that a request? I'll see what can be done," he says, but the grin is still more amused than any kind of seductive. And then, "Ah — where is it we're headed, exactly?"

Damn, he just started walking. But it is most definitely a question of we, he's decided, unwilling to release either of these two any time soon.

[murderbaby]

"Will I receive more coddling disapproval if I mention I have work to be doing?"

But, realizes, he finds he wouldn't mind that so much.

[sulahnan]

"Disapproval?" Athessa pulls a face. "I think being asked for permission to kiss you more often should count as approval, shouldn't it?"

[highborn]

With a smile shot at Athessa that borders on mischievous, Vanadi offers an innocent shrug.

"We could always come and keep you company."

And see what playfully aggrieving nonsense they can get up to in a library for poor Mhavos. There's got to be a lot of it.

[murderbaby]

Mhavos tries to glare at Athessa, before breaking into a few scattered peals of laughter. He catches himself, but the light expression lingers. His heart feels too full to even put on anger.

"I would love your company, both of you," he says, humbled by this attention, "but not in the library, I'll get nothing done."

[sulahnan]

"Well I don't think we're fit to climb onto any roofs just yet, that's out. And I've no urge to revisit Wysteria's haunted mansion, so that's out. What even is there to do in this town?"

Plenty, if they were the sort to get absolutely piss-faced drunk, or wanted to commit a crime, or rent a room at a brothel. But Athessa assumes their night is more likely to take them somewhere quiet to sit and talk, and that's vastly preferable.

[highborn]

"There's always a pleasant, quiet evening of cards and drink in someone's quarters," he suggests, then quickly amends, "Athessa's quarters. I don't believe either of us have quite got the knack of decoration as you have."

Their rooms are embarrassingly boring, please take pity.

[murderbaby]

Hey, now, Mhavos' room has boobytrapped drawers and chests with false bottoms. But- no, actually, continue thinking he's boring, that's fine.

"Or you could heroically carry our battered bodies to the nearest roof." He gestures to Vanadi.

[sulahnan]

"If knack is a new word for mess..." Athessa mumbles, then sends Mhavos a sidelong glance.

"Are you really so keen to find more giant bats, Mhavos? I mean I understand the draw completely, what with the success of last year's find—"

[highborn]

"There are bats up there?" This city boy is aghast, horrified, or at least willing to play the part over a kernel of truth. "I spent a bit of time on a roof during Satinalia. I had no idea I was so close to death."

[murderbaby]

Mhavos' only response is to stare at Athessa smugly. Ha, bats are gross, you're outvoted.

[sulahnan]

"Of course there are bat's up there. And in archways all over the city, under the bridge, in the belfry..."

She mimics Mhavos' expression cartoonishly.

"Really it's a wonder you two are brave enough to even be here after dark."

[highborn]

"I know, I say this to myself near every day." He heaves a long-suffering sigh, adding, "But I think I could, if we are really very attached to the roof thought."

[murderbaby]

Mhavos resists the urge to whine about how Vanadi has been spared the giant horror that is Athessa's pet bat, because he doesn't want to ruin the surprise when Vanadi is inevitably cursed with its presence.

Instead, takes a step away from Vanadi, so Athessa is closer, pretending to size Vanadi up. "One at a time, of course."

[sulahnan]

Athessa sighs and starts walking toward the docks. She doesn't explain herself, just puts a little extra feeling behind the sigh, pitches it high at first and lets it dip as it trails off.