[OPEN] everything is terrible

[alphinerd]

Who: Alphinaud and YOU!
What: Alphinaud is out and about exploring his new surroundings.
When: Some early September afternoon
Where: The village
Warnings: SPOILERS FOR STORMBLOOD and also for Aymeric's junk, you have been warned

[What little Alphinaud had seen of the castle certainly seemed... impressive might be a word for it, though that spoke a bit too much of appreciation for his liking. Intimidating might be the better word usage, considering that in the bell or two he'd spent walking around trying to adjust to that setting, he'd seen far more phalluses than he'd truly been prepared for, even with his limited knowledge of the place. He'd been shown to his quarters, had sorted through the wardrobe - mostly full of things he had no desire to put on his person - and after his brief look-about, he'd had enough of decidedly lewd things for the day.

Thus, he had headed out into the village, in hopes that there might be a bit less blatant pornography, and a few friendly faces besides. Hopefully not too friendly, of course, but anyone willing to talk about something that wasn't related to intercourse would be a godsend.

Of course, he wouldn't be so lucky with the blatant pornography. Not when the fountain in the square has a statue of the Mistress bathing, of all things, upon it. Which leaves him - quite literally - running into someone when he's unable to tear his eyes away.]

Oh! My apologies, I didn't--

Comments

[dravanicide]

[Estinien lets out a sound. To Alphinaud's possible comfort, it sounds more amused, than irritated. He helps himself to a glass from the cupboard, and proceeds to look for something to drink—probably wine.]

You think yourself up to the task, then? Succeed where Aymeric has scant made any traction.

[Sorry, Aymeric. But it's true. Not that Estinien's done much better, but he's more interested in killing the Mistress, at this point.]

[alphinerd]

[Amused seems a better option than irritated, honestly, so Alphinaud will take it.]

I shall do my utmost. I feel that being an apprentice rather than a guard should afford me more opportunity to find things.

[... and then, the important question, as Estinien just makes himself at home in the kitchen:]

Whose house is this...?

[dravanicide]

You may also find your time more scrutinized.

[Fumbling around in the cupboard, he finds his prize! A half drank bottle of wine, and while he lets Alphinaud's question linger a moment as he pours himself a glass, he glances over his shoulder.]

The Warrior of Light's.

[His attention returns to his drink, placing it on the small counter top, before fishing for another.]

[alphinerd]

So, theoretically, my absence from the castle could already be taken into account.

[As Estinien digs through the cabinets, Alphinaud crosses his arms over his chest, looking around. There are far too many alchemical things about for this to be Estinien's home. But the answer makes much more sense.]

You broke into Yenh's house!?

[dravanicide]

Precisely.

[Another glass poured, and Estinien walks over to Alphinaud, offering it to him.]

That would imply I am unwelcomed here.

[Because... that's how that works.]

[alphinerd]

[The glass is taken, though with a moment of hesitation. But if what Estinien says is true, he supposes maybe a little won't hurt.]

It would still be better to have her permission, wouldn't it?

[Taking a small sip. Wine is nothing new, but it's been a while, and the sharp hit of alcohol on his tongue still makes him grimace.]

[dravanicide]

Mayhap.

[He takes a drink of his own, but he'd honestly prefer the bitterness of ale to the sweetness of wine.]

'Twas never a problem before.

[Besides, he leaves her gifts of nasty ale, so it's basically an even trade off.

Probably.]

So, tell me, what do you plan to do? Will you take part in these lwed games of the Mistress, or do you hope that you may keep your virtue by stubbornness alone?

[alphinerd]

[... even so, the next time he sees Yenh, he's going to apologize on Estinien's behalf as well as his own. Or make sure that Estinien does repay her somehow. Or both. ... probably both.]

I intend to hold off from such things. [And suddenly, he's very interested in the contents of his glass.] I can handle being around it, I suppose, but I do not necessarily have to participate.

[He takes a sip of his wine... and then a second later, rather abruptly chokes on the mouthful as he realizes something, at least managing to swallow before sputtering and coughing.]

[dravanicide]

Would that it were so simple.

[Estinien finishes his own glass with uncomfortable swiftness, placing it on the counter top beside him. He allows just as an uncomfortable silence fall between them (as well as he can with Alphinaud's sputtering. For the boy's sake, he ignores it. You're welcome) as he mulls around explaining his own woes, his own burden.

He decides against it.]

There are traps and tricks. She knows not mercy, and would sooner laugh in the face of the suffering than to relent her sickening wiles.

Do take care, Alphinaud. Whilst I fully intend to shield you from such perversion, I recognize the impossible. You must needs keep your wits about you.

[He says his warning with a deadly seriousness. Sure, Estinien often was serious, but there was something knowing behind his words.]

[alphinerd]

[Alphinaud is aware that the situation is... a bit different here than home, but the dire tone in Estinien's voice sobers him from his sputtering rather quickly. ... he does recall Yenh mentioning that Estinien had been cursed, and that it was something that Aymeric had been assisting with, but he's hesitant to actually inquire.]

I... I see.

[He rubs the edge of his glass with the pad of his thumb, frowning down at his drink. The burn of alcohol is a bit less and less with each sip, but he can already feel it's warming effects.]

I will do my best to keep aware of my surroundings, then.

[But he turns his frown up at Estinien before the subject is able to be changed.]

And you will, as well, I hope?

[dravanicide]

[Estinien nods, though it's a shallow one. He's certainly aware of his surroundings--he can't not be, but it doesn't change that lack of awareness isn't quite his issue.

He opens his mouth to say something--but a wholly familiar feeling rips through him like a jolt, and he praises Halone that he's facing Alphinaud. Because, in the next moment his curse is making an uninvited appearance in the form of a tail forming from seemingly no where.

Estinien holds still, hoping that the sounding thud against the counter, and the shake to his glass isn't all that obvious. The visual is hidden well enough behind him. For the time being, anyways.

Estinien stays silent though, because what does one say when a dragon tail just appears out of your ass? Or, rather, above it.]

[alphinerd]

[The nod is answer enough. Alphinaud knows that Estinien isn't wordy. But the moment he opens his mouth to bring up the fact that Yenh had told him about the curse, his ears pick up what he thinks to be a soft thud. His face pinches in a frown, and he peers at Estinien, not having seen the slight shake.]

Did you... hear something?

[Is Yenh here after all? Or had the sound come from outside?]

[dravanicide]

The wind.

[He says it quickly, holding himself unnaturally still. It's not that he's exactly embarrassed of this curse, it's more like... he's humiliated by it. Totally different.]

Do you wager you will learn aught of merit from being her apprentice?

[Totally moving on with topics, because he needs to keep Alphinaud engaged while he tries to figure out a way out of this situation.]

[alphinerd]

[The wind. Alphinaud is silent for a moment, peering at Estinien as if he doesn't quite believe him with such a quick response. But for now, he'll move on.]

I hope I can. I know not what information is stored within the castle, but as an apprentice, I am more likely to access that information than a guard or someone from the village.

[He hesitates a moment, then takes a long pull from his glass.]

... Yenh told me about what the Mistress did to you.

[dravanicide]

[Estinien makes no move as Alphinaud talks, save for a slight affirming nod that may leave one to question if he moved at all.

Until Alphinaud shares that zinger, and Estinien finds himself letting out an ill deliberate sigh. Of course she would. If anything, he owes her nothing for this little break in. The wine's barely enough for what damage she's caused with this.]

'Tis naught worth fretting. I am in control.

[alphinerd]

You may be in control, but that does not stop the fact that you blatantly threatened someone so dangerous!

[It's clear in his voice that he's worried. His voice is tight and ever so slightly gaining in pitch, and he eventually has to take a calming breath and an even more calming sip of wine.]

If she is capable of turning you into... into something like that, there is no telling what she is fully capable of. We must needs be cautious and treat our situation with a bit of finesse.