therookery | crystal;

Entry tags:

crystal;

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Allumin
RECIPIENT: Everybody in Riftwatch
NOTES: gay panic in a couple threads (kinda spicy)

um, hello? [the voice is very soft and nervous at first.]

Pardon my anxiousness, I'm, ah, not used to this kind of communication being so... open?

I was told I'd need a staff and some guidance in order to use my own magic properly here. The general outlook on mages, however, has me doubting if devoting the time is a good idea or if I should focus my efforts elsewhere. However, if it's not as bad as I'm making it out to be in my head, and someone were interested and able in assisting me, I'd be happy to discuss fair compensation for your time.

Also, upon some recent reflection, I suppose I should offer myself up to one of the divisions of Riftwatch - not Diplomacy though, I'm not equipped for that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hmmmm...

[He looks over his impromptu paper fortress, surveying it.]

Well, I think that the conditions here are just right to let them mature. Aging them really brings out the vintage of the paper.

[If someone finds and returns them to the library, fine. If he gets in trouble for leaving them there, fine. If they are left alone until he can come back and return them? Even better.

He does take the open upright ones and shut them before setting them back down on the table though, then rises to his feet. There's a moment where he seems to hesitate, wrestling with himself before eventually looking Loki in the eyes.]

Thank you for this - for coming to see me. [Having the courage to be candid, emotionally vulnerable is a struggle, and he's trying really hard to control his breathing and not go completely weak in the knees (Loki's smile, once again...).]

[ Loki huffs out a little laugh at the idea of letting the books 'age' in the dining hall area for a while. He suspects someone might take a few while Allumin is gone, but it's doubtful in his mind that the entire stack will be cleaned up unless he leaves it for days or weeks.

The thanks are unexpected and something not unlike surprise flits across Loki's features before he closes his eyes and shakes his head, still smiling. ] Next time I won't announce myself from behind you, [ he promises, in lieu of telling Allumin he needn't thank him. It's nice, he supposes, to do things for others like this. It isn't terrible by any stretch at least, and it's cost him only... a now slightly less sore arm and a sliver of pride but he's lost the latter before and over less. ]

Come on, [ he says, taking Allumin's arm as he had at the tourney. ] To the docks, and then to Hightown. Hopefully, we won't get rained on along the way.

Edited 2021-08-27 09:36 (UTC)

[He nods, ready to fall in step with Loki as they head off to the docks.

There's something about what he said, his face, how he said it that lingers heavy on his mind. After some consideration of what to say, he speaks with a different kind of anxiousness than he has before. There's concern, maybe guilt too, behind it.]

Only if you want to - the announcing thing -, [He clarifies, to be sure his context isn't misunderstood.] I don't want you to change who you are or your behavior for my benefit.

[ Loki turns his face towards Allumin, confusion showing up in the furrow of his brow. He hears the concern, the anxiety, and can't place for whose benefit either of those exists. ]

You mean that, [ comes out with more than a little surprise, but in the next moment he raises an eyebrow. ] I merely meant to avoid being struck by objects one might have at hand.

[ That's a lie, actually, mostly because lies are where he is the most comfortable and partially because he doesn't know what to do with Allumin’s earnestness and unexpected kindness. ]

Oh, of course. That's fine then, I did hit you quite hard, didn't I?

[He has a feeling there's something more going unsaid, but he doesn't press. Instead, his expression takes a turn toward playfulness as he casts a glance in Loki's direction.]

You should feel lucky I'm a wizard then and not a fighter. It would have probably hurt more.

You did, in fact. I'm fairly certain it's going to bruise.

[ This is said pretty casually; bruising from something as simple as a book is a new and fascinating experience, actually, and now that the pain is not at the forefront of his mind he doesn't care. As much.

He still cares a little. Bruises should be from battle or from bedrooms, not startling people. ]

I think if you had been a fighter instead of a wizard you'd get along with my brother better than I, but he's not here. [ Well. The version this Loki knows isn't here; presumably Thor d'Asgard is running around Thedas somewhere, probably in Tevinter. ]

Do you really think I'd be so different we wouldn't be friends?

[They met and bonded over magic, sure, but that couldn't have been totally out of the question for this theoretical even if he had been a fighter instead. There are some paths that still lead to the arcane even if you prefer to fight with a sword, or mace, axe, whatever.

And if he didn't have any magic at all, but still ended up here, he'd hope to be enough of the same person that if the meeting had been different they could still have moments like this one.]

[ Loki hums in consideration at Allumin's question and then smirks. Friends, good. ]

Possibly not.

[ He doesn't know, really, how much of who Allumin is would change based on what he does for a living, or however he would consider being a wizard versus being a fighter. ]

Hopefully not. [ It's not like Loki has a lot of friends, is it? ]

Hopefully not? [He feels a little bit of self-satisfaction that Loki would value him enough to say that, and it shows. It shows in the way he smiles with a rare confidence, and especially shows in the way that he hugs the arm linked with his and leans in close, speaking next in a lower tone.] Good.

[And then he draws back, casual enough to pretend that the fleeting moment maybe didn't happen.]

I rather enjoy spending time with you.

[ It's Really A Problem (read: kinda hot, actually) that Allumin is a few inches taller than Loki because when the elf leans in that means that he has to tilt his head back juuuuuust a little bit to maintain eye contact. Usually, he's taller, and thus, it's the other way around.

Still. It's Good, Also to see Allumin smile like that and to know it's his fault? Even better. ]

I can easily say the same. [ He reaches over and pats Allumin's hand. ] Spending time with you is quite nice, actually.

[That elicits a laugh, bashful in nature and accompanied by a token reddening in his cheeks. He's comforted to hear that, and welcomes the feeling of ease alongside the fluttering joy in his chest.]

Only quite nice? Well, I'm going to have to do better than that, aren't I?

[He says it in a playful manner, but he does also start to consider what sort of things they could do together that would have Loki saying more about their time than just it being 'quite nice' - which unfortunately leads his imagination down a road to things that are bordering on if not completely indecent. This leads to him turning even more red in the face and looking away.

There are plenty of Perfectly Platonic Things he could think about, but instead his mind is caught up on all of Loki's casual little touches. Confidence from earlier, come back!]

[ Loki thought it was a quite respectable compliment actually, somewhat unused to saying nice things and meaning them, though all he does is smile in light of Allumin's laugh. ]

I, personally, would not say there's anything wrong with 'quite nice', considering our interactions thus far. Though I suppose there's always room for improvement. [ He reaches over with his free hand and attempts to turn Allumin's face back in his direction. ] You do blush quite nicely, however. How far down does that go, I wonder?

[ So much for platonic anything, really. ]

[There absolutely was nothing wrong with 'quite nice' - Allumin just wanted to be a bit cheeky and now look where that's gotten him. Loki definitely succeeds in his intent, netting him another one of those pent up sounds of Allumin's that had been heard before at the tournament. Unlike then, however, Allumin's free hand doesn't fly up to hide his face this time, thoughts abuzz with a fresh new touch to catalog.

And of course, the musing as well only leads to Allumin imagining himself bare in front of him as he finds out the answer firsthand. Which leads to another little sound somewhere between a whine and a moan escaping on shuddering breath.

Words, Allumin, do you remember how to use them?]

I, ah, mm, - [words] - it's fine. [His eyes keep darting up and down Loki's face, lingering on his eyes and then scanning when that's too much and then lingering on his lips and rinse and repeat.] 'Quite nice' is fine.

[ Oh, but Allumin makes the most intriguing sounds when he's all flustered like this. Still. Loki wonders if some clarity would help or hinder things, and thus: ]

I am interested in you, Allumin.

[ He laughs, a subtle flash of teeth, before his hand on Allumin's chin shifts to touch his cheek. ]

I want to know what sort of sounds you make when you're overwhelmed and there's no one else there, amongst other things; but that doesn't have to be today if you'd rather wait. Think about it, and let me know.

[ Either way, they're going to get on this ferry and then make their way to Hightown and the apartment Alexandrie has granted Loki the use of. There will be drinks, and it'll be fun, even if Allumin decides he'd rather not fall into bed right away.

Loki just enjoys giving people options. ]

O-oh...

[He can't help but lean into the touch, a comfort to the absolute rollercoaster he is on right now. There is equal parts relief and a new, different excitement that comes with the affirmation, and Loki's words and the glimpse of teeth work together to conjure images of all manner of touches and noises they might inspire.

He tries to wade past the images swirling around in his head to speak, but it's hard. It feels like his throat is stuck and he can't say anything at all, but he wants to be clear that he does want to, he is also interested, just some kind of positive reciprocation... but he can't quite do it, so he does something else instead.

Allumin reaches up, fingers lightly grazing across the side of Loki's neck to become a firm grasp at the base of his skull, and pulls him into a kiss.]

[ There's a moment, between when Allumin touches the side of his neck and when the other man pulls him in, that Loki honestly has no idea what will happen next. He's still waiting, inaccurately, for the elf to say... something. Yes, no, I'm not ready. Are you sure?

Whatever it is, he feels prepared to receive it.

Kissing is great, though. It leaves very little room for confusion, in the moment.

It starts soft enough. He does part his lips just to nip at Allumin's bottom lip before flicking his tongue against the skin he'd just bitten. ]

[At the brief moment of teeth on his lip, he loses himself a bit and the hand at the back of his neck moves to grab a fistful of Loki's hair. Then there's his tongue, and he can't help but moan into the kiss.

He really wants to keep going but at this rate they'd probably get in trouble for indecency.

It's a struggle to get himself to pull away however, as he takes Loki's upper lip between his own for a moment, lost in finally knowing what this feels like with him. Then, he wins the fight against himself and withdraws but only just enough that their lips no longer touch.]

Hhhopefully that communicates, um, how I feel on the matter.

[ Loki huffs out a bit of a laugh. ]

It does, thank you. [ His hand is still on Allumin's cheek, which he gives a little pat, before taking half a step back. ] Let's get on the ferry, shall we?

[ They can kiss more there, is his plan, and at least be on their way towards their destination. ]

[He nods, gaze lingering as he processes fully what has just happened. Despite the still present flush in his cheeks and quickened beating of his heart, there is a sense of calm he feels in some manner of resolution between them on this front.]

Yes, let's.

[His legs are pretty much on autopilot at this point (head too full), following along at whatever pace Loki sets as they board the ferry.]

[ Loki doesn't move with any particular hurry, or at least not much more than he was already. They board the ferry and he finds them a set of seats far from the other passengers but still within view of the doors.

He lets go of Allumin's arm as they sit down, turning in his seat to give his attention fully to the other man. ]

You're not a bad kisser. [ For the record. ]

[He tucks one leg up, hugging it to his chest in a way, as he too turns to sit face-to-face. He also resists the urge to be contrary, unlike last time (which led to kissing so really, is that so bad?). His eyes take in the sight of the sun becoming low in the sky, edging towards the horizon, then move to behold another stunning sight as well.]

Thank you, I - [what does he even say to that...?] am glad you enjoyed it.

[too polite, not sexy at all. He tries not to laugh at himself for it, but a small chuckle escapes anyway.]

[ He could always be contrary if he so wished to be; it's not like Loki is going to withdraw his invitation or his interest. Or judge someone for being contrary of all things, gods know he's done it himself more than often enough. But for the moment, the corner of his mouth lifts in a little bit of a smile. ]

Are you always so shy?

[ His tone is not one of complaint, but of curiosity. ]

Or am I just inspiring in that way?

[His mouth opens to speak, and pauses, face already starting to redden at the implication of what he's about to say.]

I can be assertive - in certain situations... [oh gods, he is really going to elaborate, isn't he?]

But if I'm not, um, you know, in that particular frame of mind, well - not to say that you aren't also inspiring--! [Because he definitely is.]

[ It is really unfair how cute Allumin's constant blushing is, or how easy it seems to be to inspire it. Loki makes an amused sound, grinning, before putting his arm up on the back of the seat and resting his hand against his own head. ]

So you're a switch? [ To put a fine point on it. ] Good to know. What would you like most to get out of this scenario this evening?

[Oh noooo, the pose already made him feel bashful enough, but when he asks such a question in public (despite the fact that they have openly discussed smut literature) then Allumin can't help the urge to hide his face. Sure, they're sitting far enough away from most of the other passengers, but still!

He peers at Loki through his fingers.]

Are you really asking this here? In public? [His ears are also starting to redden.]

I - ah - [He swallows. Despite his question, he's trying to think of what to say as an answer anyway.] uhhm.. Well... I think, maybe... [He's not getting very far, eyes flicking between Loki and the other passengers.]

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allumin played himself in this one, the fool

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