kingdomcomes | [CLOSED] A perfectly reasonable way to deal with your problems!

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[CLOSED] A perfectly reasonable way to deal with your problems!

Who: Alphinaud and Aymeric
What: Grabbing a drink and a chat.
When: Sometime during the festival, probably in the early evening because he's not down enough yet for day drinking??
Where: Alphinaud's quarters
Warnings: ~~Just alcohol at the moment.~~ Alcohol led to questionable decisions involving kissing practice.

[Alphinaud was, at least, glad to be - literally - back on his own two feet and able to wear clothes again. The only downside was that, with the refilling of his wardrobe once his punishment was over, there was... nothing that completely covered his body. There were things in there that barely counted as clothing. He'd at least found a few things that he could interchange without exposing too much skin, and it was better than going completely without.

He'd made plans for another get-together with Aymeric that evening, and as he waited for the Lord Commander to show, he tugged semi-irritably at the outfit he'd chosen for the day. The pants were loose and near-sheer, bunching at his ankles and fitting snugly at his hips, but otherwise draping down his legs. The top looped around his neck and covered his chest, but only his chest, leaving his stomach from the bottom of his ribs to the waist of his pants exposed. Thankfully, with the sleeves that accompanied it, the only other part of him that was exposed were his shoulders and a large portion of his back.

It was also red. Red was more Alisaie's color, and he was pretty certain that even she wouldn't wear something like this.]

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I am not particularly surprised.

[He looks down into his glass, swirling the contents for a second and frowning. Estinien, in the point in time Alphinaud had come from, had been missing for so long. Without the desire for revenge, he's not sure what the dragoon would do otherwise.]

Unfortunately. [He pulls a slight face.] It is still clothing, at least, but I suppose I can't expect modesty in a place like this.

Unfortunately. Modesty is taken in small measures on ones' own time. [Like how he was dressed now. He felt terribly for Alphinaud ever needing to talk to him while he was dressed in his guard uniform...

Face to face with... He hates to ask, but he just can't shake the idea.]

...Are you still honest? [... As in. Are you still a virgin, Alphinaud?]

I suppose so, yes.

[He would have to gather his own clothes, then. Simple as that. Whatever salary he receives, he decides, will go towards proper clothing, since the ones supplied to him will never be to his own exact tastes.

... and then Aymeric's question nearly makes him choke on a mouthful of wine, but he at least manages to swallow it before coughing. Though, the tips of his ears are stained pink, and his cheeks are following suit.]

I-- Y-yes...

I can buy you a few garments, though I wonder if it would be prudent to wear them only in your own room.

[He looks visibly relieved as he continues drinking. He leans forward and pats him on the back.]

Pray forgive me for asking such a thing. It it both none of my concern and aught that I find myself preoccupied with. These lands are not safe, as you know. If you wish to retain your virtue... [He trails off, glancing away, then back to Alphianud.] I may have a solution.

It may offer some comfort regardless, if nothing else. But I'm sure I will be able to make arrangements. I would not want to put you in an awkward position.

[Alphinaud looks down at his glass again, frowning as he momentarily wonders where half the glass had already gone.]

... a solution? [He looks up with interest, tilting his head in curiosity.]

This place is naught else but awkward positions, Master Alphinaud, but we will find a way.

[he glances at the glass, determining it to be sufficient for his purposes.]

Aye. A bit... of a mechanical solution. [He pulls a small metal thing from his bag. It has locks and moving metal parts. It has a cage in the front.]

A chastity belt.

[It takes a moment for the realization to hit Alphinaud, the alcohol already beginning to dull inhibitions a small amount. But the moment he does, the flush rises to his cheeks and to the tips of his ears once more, and his shoulders lift and square.]

I... Oh.

[He swallows nervously. In spite of knowing that it is a rather good idea, there's still some thought of Aymeric being this concerned for his virtue that flusters him.]

Will... Will something like that truly work? Will it not upset the Mistress if she finds out?

I will take punishment in your stead, then. I cannot think of another way to keep the beasts at bay and away from you.

[he unhooks the keys, placing them in Alphinaud's hands.] You have three, you may choose the holders of your spares. I trust you will be wise.

[The look in his eyes is earnest and intense.] Will you accept this?

I... Y-yes. You have the right of it. This will keep any unwanted advances at bay.

[Alphinaud nodded, head down and eyes on the keys, and then on the glass on the table. He picked it up once more, setting his jaw and taking a long pull and only wincing a small bit at the swallow. Wine is meant to be sipped, but right now, he doesn't much care.]

I will. And I will take any punishment that may be given. It may have been your idea, but I am fully accepting it.

[Carefully, he unhooks one key, setting it on the table. The other two keys are handed back to Aymeric.]

You will likely see Estinien before I. Please give him one, and keep the other.

I shall guard it with all of my might, and so shall Estinien.

[With this awkward gift given and well received, Aymeric seems to relax. He finishes his glass and pours another. Fine wines were for savoring, this sweet swill may as well have been hours forgotten, oversweetened tea from the morning, hastily drunk for its caffeine.]

After all, this place has ways of setting a man into bed in ways and with people that he would never have previously dreamt. Every first time is rather awkward, but 'twould be a shame if you had little measure of control over it.

Yes. I would much rather have control over anything that might happen.

[The thought makes his stomach turn a slight bit, but he knows that realistically, this place is not exactly ideal. Sex is as commonplace here as merchants in Ul'dah, and common assumption from any of the locals is probably going to be that he is a willing and consenting adult. ... he needs more wine for this, and refills his own glass.]

That something like this is a safety measure rather than a personal choice...

[Should he put it on now? There's really no reason to, not with Aymeric being the only one with him. Aymeric is trustworthy.]

Aye, I know. This land we live in is a terrible one. I can't even tell if it is truly dangerous or just beguiling.

[He leans over, as if he is inspecting Alphinaud for a moment.]

Man-to-man... And pray pardon me, it simply feels as if I've no one normal to speak to as of late. I feel as though I am going mad. I promise this will make sense in time, but do you have interest in anyone?

[The question catches him off guard, halfway through another, much larger drink of wine. Alphinaud pauses long enough to swallow and settle the glass down on the table, but in that time alone, his ears have gone red again.]

I-- Th-that is, I. I barely know anyone here save for yourself, Estinien, Ysayle and Yenh...

[He stretches a bit in his seat, his eyes flicking to Alphinaud's bed. It certainly looks more comfortable than his own.]

Where do your attractions lay, then?

[He asks it so calmly, so bluntly-]

I...

[Alphinaud pauses, chewing his lower lip in thought as he stares down the wine in his glass. He lifts it to take another drink before responding. It's not exactly what he would expect to talk about, but...]

I don't... prefer one over the other, I suppose.

That is just as well, then. The politics here are based upon sexuality, after all. It seems those with more pliant attractions also attract more power. I have been trying to verse myself on the ways of these lands. The Mistress has visitors of ambassadors frequently enough. I was given permission to... intermingle with them, and I wonder if it would be prudent of me to do so.

Like as not, our salvation does not lay within these castle walls. [He looks to Alphinaud again.]

I am prepared to do what I must for the good of us all, Alphinaud. I will do what I can from my station, but if you believe you discover someone that requires some measure of seduction, I may be up to the task.

Seduction?

[The speed at which Alphinaud sets down his glass makes him seem like he's slamming it down, but it's only slipping heavily from his fingers. He pauses a moment, clearly startled by the slip, but slowly shakes his head after a few seconds.]

That... Is that a good idea? Surely there is another means...

If you have a better idea, I would love to hear it.

[He crosses his legs, leaning into his seat.]

There is a related matter that I wish to discuss with you. While I wish to help you protect your purity, I believe it prudent to act as if you have none. After all, the most well guarded treasure is one entirely unseen. We must blend if we are to survive.

[Aymeric pours himself another glass, bringing his own bottle down halfway]

Have you kissed before?

I--

[The thought of better options flies right out the window at Aymeric's question, and the red that had graced only his ears now begins to crawl across his cheeks. Only a small part of it is due to the wine.]

That is-- I-I dont--

You don't kiss?

[His eyebrows raise gently as he gazes down at the younger man.]

Or you don't have a better idea?

[Alphinaud hunches his shoulders, angling his eyes down to the quickly emptying glass before him.]

I... I have not... more so than do not...

Yet you have an interest in men and women both. [He tilts his head, looking at him cooly under dark lashes. While Alphinaud had clearly spent his teens inside books in studies, Aymeric had spent them inside others.]

You understand that we will need to rectify this in some manner, lest you become a target for those dreadful "Virgin Slayers".

[Something about that proposition is making his head feel oddly light. Or perhaps that's the alcohol.]

And... how, exactly, do you propose we rectify that issue...?

[Nervous bravado: On.]

[He places a hand against his cheek.] Estinien... Would be a terrible mentor, and I understand if such an act would be too strange betwixt you and Yenh.

[He crosses his arms]

You're a bright lad, I'm sure you know what I'm hinting at. I won't make any unwanted advances, but I hope you consider my advisement.

[Estinien would be a terrible mentor, indeed. At least in this regard. But Alphinaud knows exactly what Aymeric is inferring, and his stomach does a flip that is equal parts anticipation and anxiety.]

... very well. As you are more... knowledgeable in the ways of this place, I shall accept your offer.

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