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

[alphinerd]

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.]

Comments

[alphinerd]

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.]

[heiresy]

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?

[alphinerd]

[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...

[heiresy]

[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-]

[alphinerd]

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.

[heiresy]

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.

[alphinerd]

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...

[heiresy]

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?

[alphinerd]

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--

[heiresy]

You don't kiss?

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

Or you don't have a better idea?

[alphinerd]

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

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

[heiresy]

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".

[alphinerd]

[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.]

[heiresy]

[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.

[alphinerd]

[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.

[heiresy]

[Aymeric moves a little closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.]

Ready, Master Alphinaud?

[He leans in closely bracing his height with a hand in the padded seat. The scent of wine heavy on his breath.]

[alphinerd]

[There's more that he can smell than just the scent of wine. Alphinaud deeply through his nose and lets his eyes close.]

Yes.

[Even if the wild fluttering in his stomach is getting stronger.]

[heiresy]

Just follow my lead, and I will show you all the techniques I know.

[he closes his eyes, pressing his lips against Alphinaud's. He pulls him up into the kiss, deepening it, using his teeth and tongue in his expert little ways. He pulls back to place little kisses on his jaw, then his neck. He captures Alphinaud's lobe between his teeth gently, administering a little lick. The hand on his shoulder moves to his jaw, and he gives little sucking kisses before recapturing his mouth deeply. After a moment he pulls back to check on him.]

Did you catch that?

[alphinerd]

[To his credit, he tries his best to keep up with Aymeric's movements. His own are understandably a bit sluggish as he tries to measure what to do to respond, but after a moment he's giving back in earnest. ... until Aymeric's lips leave his, at which point he gasps and squirms, letting out a heavy breath and reflexively lifting his hands to the front of the other Elezen's shirt. He'd anticipated kissing, not... not this.

As Aymeric's lips break from his own for the final time, Alphinaud attempts to chase for an ilm or two before he remembers himself. Clearing his throat, his hands settle rather strategically in his lap.]

I... I believe so.

[heiresy]

Good, then show me. You may sit on my lap if you need the advantage in height.

[He sits there, slightly breathless himself, just inches from Alphinaud's face. His eyes are half lidded, his expression loosened with the wine. Aymeric readjusts so that Alphinaud may find a perch on him if need be.]

[alphinerd]

Ah-- N-no, I should be alright.

[Sitting on Aymeric's lap would be a death sentence for his dignity right now. Instead, he shifts forward, getting to his feet and pressing up on his toes to give the same in return. Teeth, tongue... It's a bit fumbling to start, and only sticking to lips on lips, but Alphinaud is nothing if not a quick learner.]

[heiresy]

[Aymeric kisses back like he's parrying, but lets him lead the kiss. He places his hands on Alphinaud's hips to help steady him, scooting forward in his seat and spreading his legs to allow Alphinaud to stand between them.]

[Definitely, definitely better than Estinien. He breaks the kiss slowly after several moments.]

Not bad. Remember to use your hands, however.

[To show, he places a hand in the hair at his nape and draws him in with it.]

Your strategy here involves a lot of bluff, so get the details right. Don't be afraid to kiss my neck.

[alphinerd]

[Given room to do so, Alphinaud slips into the space between Aymeric's legs, fitting comfortably due to his slight stature. The break gives him a moment to breathe, and he does so gladly.]

Ah, y-yes...

[Drawn in, he continues his assault, lips against lips to start and moving first to the corner of Aymeric's mouth, then down to his jaw and finally to his ear. Here, he breathes softly against the other man's skin, and takes his earlobe between his lips in imitation of what Aymeric had done before.]

[heiresy]

[Despite himself, Aymeric gasps.]

Good, good. A quick learner indeed.

[He moves his hands from Alphinaud's hips to his shoulders]

That will be plenty, Alphinaud. I think you have the idea.

[alphinerd]

[The gasp does not escape his attention, and for a moment, Alphinaud echoes it.]

Y-yes. I. Thank you, for the lesson.

[... but he's wary to move back just yet, so he remains where he stands, hands still on Aymeric's shoulders and realizing that he hadn't actually moved them as instructed.]

You are a fine teacher. It will take me a while to get the hang of it, yet, I think.