[Erenville's ears perk up straight when his hands are taken and his eyes widen a bit. He was not expecting the touch nor the intimacy that touch. It wasn't much, just holding his hand. But that, along with E'kayan's cute smile, had his cheeks warming. Thankfully, his charcoal colored skin hid the blush quite easily.]
I... you're welcome ... Kayan.
[It almost seemed wrong to use his full name, so aside from the stutter if nearly using the other man's full name, he dropped the E. It felt... better. This way.]
Then, would you like to get some dinner? I daresay all this has left me with quite the appetite.
[There it is again. His expression flickers faintly but he doesn't correct the familiar intimacy of dropping the tribal letter from his name. In the end, the letter is more of a courtesy than anything else... he's never visited the E tribe and isn't even sure of where he would find them if he wanted to, but he's always been aware of what it means to simply use his given name like that.
It's nice.
He rolls his thumbs over the gleaner's faintly calloused knuckles then gently slides his hands free.]
Mm, let's go somewhere. I was going to cook, but... I'm not really in the mood. [So it likely wouldn't be anything impressive if he did. He slips off the couch and stretches his arms over his head.] You sure you're feeling up to it? Your arms...
[His eyes linger on them as if he's thinking about something, though it would be easy to just assume he's ruminating on the earlier events again.]
[Erenville strangely already missed those hands. But he did not say much more. Instead, he stood up and grabbed both of their cups to dump and rinse in the sink. He set them aside.]
I could go for a burger, but we do not have the Last Stand here. Know of a good alternative?
[He called out as E'kayan ran off to get his jacket. Erenville's was still being washed, but the weather was fair so he would be fine without for today. He shook his head at the Miqo'te and opened the door.]
Fine. Then, perhaps I will order the most expensive dish on the menu.
Oof, think about my purse for a moment, would you?
[Not for a moment does he think that Erenville would actually choose the most expensive thing. The both of them are accustomed to living frugally when they have to and E'kayan doesn't often splash out on food (group celebrations notwithstanding), but he does intend to treat the Viera if only to assuage his own lingering guilt about both startling him and then dumping trauma on him like that...
Even if he asked.
He moves out into the corridor and then falls into step beside Erenville as they make their way out.]
But all the same, don't worry about how much it costs. We haven't really had the chance to do anything like this yet, right?
[Erenville chuckled, locking the door behind them. They were out of the building within moments as this was not a very large apartment.]
No, we have not. I can't really remember the last time I went out to dinner with someone else. I travel too much.
[And being a gleaner did mean frugal spending as well. The Last Stand wasn't all that expensive so that was usually the only place he felt he could truly "splurge".]
'Tis strange not doing so anymore. This world is quite small compared to our Star.
I'm almost always with other people but... we don't get the chance to sit down and have a meal together that often.
[There's always something going on, some new danger to face... The world just can't seem to stay fixed for five minutes. Sometimes it's exhausting, and what he wouldn't give to go back to a time in his life when things were simpler, but this is what his life is now. He's in far too deep to back out now.
But he nods in agreement while they walk and pushes his hands into his pockets.]
It is, yeah. I didn't realise just how small at first, but it doesn't take that much time to get through the parts of it that aren't taken over by the Darkness.
I am surprised. All this time and you Scions never enjoyed a meal together?
[It seemed odd, even with all the chaos the world seemed to bring over the years since Dalamud's fall. Even someone like Erenville, who was used to solitude, shared meals with his fellow gleaners from time to time. Old friends and colleagues from during his schooling years. Honestly, it was just an near foreign concept to Erenville.
That would need to change.]
Well, then I hope this is the first of many.
[They ate together at home but their friendship had still be more on the distancing side. Clearly, that had changed with E'kayan's opening up to him.]
Now, are we almost there? I don't know what I am looking for. Unless you mean to walk us all that way to Blossomcrown to that new diner that opened up.
[It sounded good but not exactly walking distance, either.]
I didn't say never... just not that often. The way the world keeps rolling into one disaster after another does keep us busy.
[Not a lot of down time when you're not only saving the world but the entire universe as well, even if you didn't realise it to begin with. And not only that, recent events have him thinking that he's probably going to end up having a hand in saving other worlds as well.
Sometimes it does feel too big for him, and yet... he just keeps on succeeding, somehow.]
We're almost there. If I was going to drag you all the way to Blossomcrown I'd warn you to have a snack first. [A grin. Come on, food before adventure, always.] It's just down this next street on the left. You should be able to smell it in a moment.
I suppose it would be easier said than done, but perhaps try to make time nonetheless?
[Everyone's gotta eat, after all. But Erenville was not really the one to talk, he tended to work alone so eating out with his fellow gleaners was not something he did all that often.
He shook his head with a chuckle. But, viera noses were not as sharp as a miqo'te's. They made up for that with their hearing. Nonetheless, he did eventually start smelling the food as they drew nearer. It definitely reminding him of the Last Stand.]
[Before he speeds up to head into the place he reaches out and grabs hold of Erenville's hand. He glances back over his shoulder with a bright smile and then tugs him along.
The food in the restaurant he picked is good, and he holds himself to the promise of paying for anything that Erenville has a mind to try. Once they've both had their fill (and E'kayan, honestly, ate a little bit too much) and they're heading home, the Miqo'te lets out a soft groan and stretches his arms up over his head.]
I really shouldn't have had dessert...
[He exhales a vaguely uncomfortable-sounding breath and scrunches his nose up.]
[And, of course, Erenville does not pick the expensive items on purpose. He does get a rather large and loaded hamburger, though. It was very tasty, as were the fries. It truly hit the spot much like the Last Stand did.
He chuckled at E'kayan's complaint and the look on his face.]
Because you assured me you had the room. Who was I to deny you?
[Not that Erenville didn't feel like he hadn't eaten his fill, either. He could certainly use a sit down, but the walk would do them some good. Well, perhaps not E'Kayan judging by how uncomfortable he looked.]
Do you need me to carry you home? You are light enough to carry.
[E'kayan doesn't say anything because Erenville is right and he couldn't have stopped him even if he'd tried to, but he's still going to make a face at him for the lack of trying.
And he does give some consideration to the offer before he shakes his head.]
Probably better not... Don't feel like the added pressure on my stomach would be a good idea.
[Not to mention the jostling, how ever gently the Viera tries to carry him along. But he can think of something that he would like, and so... he slips his hand into the other man's instead, rolling the pad of his thumb against the cushioned part of Erenville's hand as he does.]
Don't mind this, though.
[Like before, except... not quite like before, this time it makes the pit of his stomach flutter.]
[Erenville's ears go completely straight when he felt E'kayan slip his hand into his own. But the Viera did not try to stop him, even as he felt his cheeks warm again. His dark skin was usually good at hiding that, but that didn't mean there was no hint of it.
He gave the other man's hand a tentative squeeze and a nod of his head.]
...I don't mind it, either.
[There was a pleasure to holding hands, one that came from this place and one that did not. Erenville, while feeling the former, was definitely more attuned to the latter. It simply felt nice, especially after what happened earlier in the day.
His ears begin to relax back into their usual state.]
[Luckily for Erenville, E'kayan is concentrating enough on his own blushing that he doesn't think to look up to see if the Viera is battling against the same thing. He doesn't take his hand back, at least, and the confirmation of not minding the contact at all makes the Miqo'te smile to himself.
It's nice, and in more ways than those by which Ellipsa encourages physical contact. He might even say it's reassuring to have the other man so solidly there beside him after the sharp spike of worry and anxiety he had suffered on his account.
He looks up in time to see Erenville's ears still perked up straight, watching them relax out of the corner of his eye with a certain private amusement. The gleaner could be pretty cute sometimes... E'kayan isn't sure if he realises it.]
Thought maybe we could pick up a drink on the way home. Sound good?
There's always room for a drink! Like how there's always room for dessert.
[Don't you know people have two separate stomachs when it comes to eating, Erenville? There's always room. He doesn't have any idea of the other man's thoughts about the small size of his hand in comparison to his own, and he gives Erenville's fingers a squeeze.]
[A dark brow rises at that. Somehow, he doesn't E'Kayan and was certain he would hear the other man complain about being too full. But, who was he to really stop him? Instead, he sighed in amusement.]
Sure, I would not mind a drink. I assume you already have a place in mind?
Just to pick something up and take it home. I'm pretty tired.
[Being full up to your fuzzy ears with good food does do that to a guy, but he looks like he perks up enormously when Erenville agrees with him. He grins up at the Viera again, tightening his grip on the other's hand to tug him along to the nearest store where they'd be able to pick up a drink.
E'kayan is just lucky that he looks his age in spite of his small size and they manage to get a bottle of decent wine with no problems, and the Miqo'te happily chatters away for the entire walk back to their shared apartment. When they get back he kicks off his shoes, scoots them against the wall with his foot, and sets the wine on the table in the living room on his way through.]
[Erenville couldn't help the soft laugh as he was led to the establishment with the drink. A bottle of wine, it seemed. That would definitely be a little easier on a full stomach than ale or beer. A good choice.
As E'kayan went to go change, Erenville went about getting the wine glasses from the cupboard in the kitchen along with a bottle opener. He had the wine poured and set aside by the time the Miqo'te returned.]
[E'kayan does not always make bad choices! Hardly ever, in fact..! Except when it comes to good food, where he really doesn't know when to stop.]
Thank Shamani Lohmani. He taught me how to pick a good one.
[If nothing else, the Lalafell knows wine... and teaching E'kayan how to select a good vintage from a variety of options was the least he felt he could do after the Miqo'te's efforts in restoring the Bacchus wine industry.
He settles himself next to Erenville and nudges his knee against the Viera's leg.]
[Wine-making was never going to be his forté but he had been glad to get a couple of tips to impress the other Scions with when it came to choosing a wine to share together.]
But I meant the meal. [And the... time spent, he supposes. After the semi-drama of earlier in the day he had felt he owed it to the man to let them both have a good time.]
We never just got to hang out in Sharlayan, did we?
[He shook his head with a rueful smile, taking another sip as he leaned forward to rest his elbow on his knee.]
We were a little busy.
[An understatement of the century.]
And then, I suppose, things went back to normal. I with my duties and you with yours.
[Did adventurers have duties? Erenville wasn't sure, but he had heard about the "disbandment" of the Scions. Not that he believed it. But he did know that they had been quiet for some time, with E'kayan being a simple adventurer for awhile. He deserved the quiet, so Erenville had not wanted to be a bother.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 12:11 am (UTC)I... you're welcome ... Kayan.
[It almost seemed wrong to use his full name, so aside from the stutter if nearly using the other man's full name, he dropped the E. It felt... better. This way.]
Then, would you like to get some dinner? I daresay all this has left me with quite the appetite.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 12:23 am (UTC)It's nice.
He rolls his thumbs over the gleaner's faintly calloused knuckles then gently slides his hands free.]
Mm, let's go somewhere. I was going to cook, but... I'm not really in the mood. [So it likely wouldn't be anything impressive if he did. He slips off the couch and stretches his arms over his head.] You sure you're feeling up to it? Your arms...
[His eyes linger on them as if he's thinking about something, though it would be easy to just assume he's ruminating on the earlier events again.]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 12:45 am (UTC)[Erenville strangely already missed those hands. But he did not say much more. Instead, he stood up and grabbed both of their cups to dump and rinse in the sink. He set them aside.]
I could go for a burger, but we do not have the Last Stand here. Know of a good alternative?
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 12:52 am (UTC)The consideration of where they might go feels like a better use of his brainpower and he cocks his head to one side in thought.]
I know a place. It's no Last Stand, but it should be good enough for your discerning tastes.
[A wink, a grin, as if none of the upset ever happened. E'kayan whisks himself away to grab his jacket then heads to the door to wait.]
I'm buying. No arguments.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 12:57 am (UTC)[He called out as E'kayan ran off to get his jacket. Erenville's was still being washed, but the weather was fair so he would be fine without for today. He shook his head at the Miqo'te and opened the door.]
Fine. Then, perhaps I will order the most expensive dish on the menu.
[He would not.]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 02:38 pm (UTC)[Not for a moment does he think that Erenville would actually choose the most expensive thing. The both of them are accustomed to living frugally when they have to and E'kayan doesn't often splash out on food (group celebrations notwithstanding), but he does intend to treat the Viera if only to assuage his own lingering guilt about both startling him and then dumping trauma on him like that...
Even if he asked.
He moves out into the corridor and then falls into step beside Erenville as they make their way out.]
But all the same, don't worry about how much it costs. We haven't really had the chance to do anything like this yet, right?
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 02:56 pm (UTC)No, we have not. I can't really remember the last time I went out to dinner with someone else. I travel too much.
[And being a gleaner did mean frugal spending as well. The Last Stand wasn't all that expensive so that was usually the only place he felt he could truly "splurge".]
'Tis strange not doing so anymore. This world is quite small compared to our Star.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 03:01 pm (UTC)[There's always something going on, some new danger to face... The world just can't seem to stay fixed for five minutes. Sometimes it's exhausting, and what he wouldn't give to go back to a time in his life when things were simpler, but this is what his life is now. He's in far too deep to back out now.
But he nods in agreement while they walk and pushes his hands into his pockets.]
It is, yeah. I didn't realise just how small at first, but it doesn't take that much time to get through the parts of it that aren't taken over by the Darkness.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-12 11:55 pm (UTC)[It seemed odd, even with all the chaos the world seemed to bring over the years since Dalamud's fall. Even someone like Erenville, who was used to solitude, shared meals with his fellow gleaners from time to time. Old friends and colleagues from during his schooling years. Honestly, it was just an near foreign concept to Erenville.
That would need to change.]
Well, then I hope this is the first of many.
[They ate together at home but their friendship had still be more on the distancing side. Clearly, that had changed with E'kayan's opening up to him.]
Now, are we almost there? I don't know what I am looking for. Unless you mean to walk us all that way to Blossomcrown to that new diner that opened up.
[It sounded good but not exactly walking distance, either.]
no subject
Date: 2023-05-16 04:48 pm (UTC)[Not a lot of down time when you're not only saving the world but the entire universe as well, even if you didn't realise it to begin with. And not only that, recent events have him thinking that he's probably going to end up having a hand in saving other worlds as well.
Sometimes it does feel too big for him, and yet... he just keeps on succeeding, somehow.]
We're almost there. If I was going to drag you all the way to Blossomcrown I'd warn you to have a snack first. [A grin. Come on, food before adventure, always.] It's just down this next street on the left. You should be able to smell it in a moment.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-25 02:50 pm (UTC)[Everyone's gotta eat, after all. But Erenville was not really the one to talk, he tended to work alone so eating out with his fellow gleaners was not something he did all that often.
He shook his head with a chuckle. But, viera noses were not as sharp as a miqo'te's. They made up for that with their hearing. Nonetheless, he did eventually start smelling the food as they drew nearer. It definitely reminding him of the Last Stand.]
That I certainly do. It smells good.
no subject
Date: 2023-05-27 09:48 pm (UTC)[Before he speeds up to head into the place he reaches out and grabs hold of Erenville's hand. He glances back over his shoulder with a bright smile and then tugs him along.
The food in the restaurant he picked is good, and he holds himself to the promise of paying for anything that Erenville has a mind to try. Once they've both had their fill (and E'kayan, honestly, ate a little bit too much) and they're heading home, the Miqo'te lets out a soft groan and stretches his arms up over his head.]
I really shouldn't have had dessert...
[He exhales a vaguely uncomfortable-sounding breath and scrunches his nose up.]
Why didn't you stop me?
no subject
Date: 2023-05-29 07:58 pm (UTC)He chuckled at E'kayan's complaint and the look on his face.]
Because you assured me you had the room. Who was I to deny you?
[Not that Erenville didn't feel like he hadn't eaten his fill, either. He could certainly use a sit down, but the walk would do them some good. Well, perhaps not E'Kayan judging by how uncomfortable he looked.]
Do you need me to carry you home? You are light enough to carry.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-01 07:53 pm (UTC)And he does give some consideration to the offer before he shakes his head.]
Probably better not... Don't feel like the added pressure on my stomach would be a good idea.
[Not to mention the jostling, how ever gently the Viera tries to carry him along. But he can think of something that he would like, and so... he slips his hand into the other man's instead, rolling the pad of his thumb against the cushioned part of Erenville's hand as he does.]
Don't mind this, though.
[Like before, except... not quite like before, this time it makes the pit of his stomach flutter.]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-03 06:50 pm (UTC)He gave the other man's hand a tentative squeeze and a nod of his head.]
...I don't mind it, either.
[There was a pleasure to holding hands, one that came from this place and one that did not. Erenville, while feeling the former, was definitely more attuned to the latter. It simply felt nice, especially after what happened earlier in the day.
His ears begin to relax back into their usual state.]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-05 04:50 pm (UTC)It's nice, and in more ways than those by which Ellipsa encourages physical contact. He might even say it's reassuring to have the other man so solidly there beside him after the sharp spike of worry and anxiety he had suffered on his account.
He looks up in time to see Erenville's ears still perked up straight, watching them relax out of the corner of his eye with a certain private amusement. The gleaner could be pretty cute sometimes... E'kayan isn't sure if he realises it.]
Thought maybe we could pick up a drink on the way home. Sound good?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-11 02:44 pm (UTC)...do you even have room for a drink?
[He couldn't help but give the Miqo'te a disbelieving look. He had just been complaining of being too full!]
no subject
Date: 2023-06-16 01:18 pm (UTC)There's always room for a drink! Like how there's always room for dessert.
[Don't you know people have two separate stomachs when it comes to eating, Erenville? There's always room. He doesn't have any idea of the other man's thoughts about the small size of his hand in comparison to his own, and he gives Erenville's fingers a squeeze.]
Soooo do you want one or not?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-17 10:51 pm (UTC)Sure, I would not mind a drink. I assume you already have a place in mind?
no subject
Date: 2023-06-21 08:53 pm (UTC)[Being full up to your fuzzy ears with good food does do that to a guy, but he looks like he perks up enormously when Erenville agrees with him. He grins up at the Viera again, tightening his grip on the other's hand to tug him along to the nearest store where they'd be able to pick up a drink.
E'kayan is just lucky that he looks his age in spite of his small size and they manage to get a bottle of decent wine with no problems, and the Miqo'te happily chatters away for the entire walk back to their shared apartment. When they get back he kicks off his shoes, scoots them against the wall with his foot, and sets the wine on the table in the living room on his way through.]
I'm gonna get changed, I'll be back in a minute.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-03 04:48 pm (UTC)As E'kayan went to go change, Erenville went about getting the wine glasses from the cupboard in the kitchen along with a bottle opener. He had the wine poured and set aside by the time the Miqo'te returned.]
'Tis a good vintage you chose. Smells good.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-08 12:29 pm (UTC)Thank Shamani Lohmani. He taught me how to pick a good one.
[If nothing else, the Lalafell knows wine... and teaching E'kayan how to select a good vintage from a variety of options was the least he felt he could do after the Miqo'te's efforts in restoring the Bacchus wine industry.
He settles himself next to Erenville and nudges his knee against the Viera's leg.]
Good night, right?
no subject
Date: 2023-07-09 10:58 pm (UTC)[He had spoken to the winery folk there from time to time, but unless there was anything he needed to procure, he did not stay long.
He took a moment to sip and savor the wine. He nodded at the nudging ]
Very good. You certainly learned a thing or two.
no subject
Date: 2023-07-13 06:32 pm (UTC)[Wine-making was never going to be his forté but he had been glad to get a couple of tips to impress the other Scions with when it came to choosing a wine to share together.]
But I meant the meal. [And the... time spent, he supposes. After the semi-drama of earlier in the day he had felt he owed it to the man to let them both have a good time.]
We never just got to hang out in Sharlayan, did we?
no subject
Date: 2023-07-16 03:29 pm (UTC)We were a little busy.
[An understatement of the century.]
And then, I suppose, things went back to normal. I with my duties and you with yours.
[Did adventurers have duties? Erenville wasn't sure, but he had heard about the "disbandment" of the Scions. Not that he believed it. But he did know that they had been quiet for some time, with E'kayan being a simple adventurer for awhile. He deserved the quiet, so Erenville had not wanted to be a bother.]
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