The Next Morning (Francel & Aymeric)

[heiresy]

[The crisp morning brought out the flush in Aymeric's cheeks as his hot breath hung in the air in front of him. He smoothed his coat and brushed a piece of hair from his face before he rapped on the House Haillenarte's front door. He supposed that he could have sent a courier to deliver the costume piece, but that would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?

He was a little confused with his actions, but nevertheless. It was too late to turn back now... And it wasn't as if he was afraid or that this could be a bad idea...

He greeted the surprised manservant at the door with a warm smile and a politely worded request for Lord Francel.]

Comments

[heiresy]

Novel, sure... But I think I prefer something sweeter. [He takes Francel's drink gently from his hand and sets the two glasses on the bar with an apology. The bartender nodded and seemed to offer some polite, cheerful apology in turn, putting up two pre-made cocktails onto the bar. Aymeric turns back with the champagne flutes of lavender liquid with twists of lime peel hanging delicately from the lip.

An attendant comes by with a chime, and the people slowly start walking back to their seats. Aymeric tipped his head towards Francel with a smile. He put the glass into Francel's hand as naturally as before, wanting to free his hand to hold him again.

He glances towards the women still gossiping as he places his left hand on Francel's lower back.]

[haillenarte]

[inwardly relieved that aymeric, too, likes sweeter drinks, francel sips happily at his new cocktail with no further complaints about the liquor burning his chest.

he does, however, stiffen somewhat at aymeric's touch to his lower back. not because the touch is unwanted, no — but merely because he wonders if this isn't a little too intimate for public display.]

A-Ah... Aymeric? Is that not rather... bold?

[the women across the room have lapsed into a stunned silence as they follow the line of aymeric's arm to francel's back; they conceal their open mouths behind lace fans and arched brows.]

[heiresy]

[His momentarily very serious expression melts into a joyous fox-like expression. He pulls Francel a bit closer, glimpsing back over his shoulder one last time.]

Between lovers I find this to be rather mild.

[He guides Francel back up the stairs toward their seating.]

[haillenarte]

[oh, the things that smile does to francel's poor little heart... whatever worries the lordling has are dismissed in an instant as he practically melts into aymeric's side, blond hair fanning out against aymeric's coat.]

...You really are such a perfect man.

[well. maybe not so perfect to the belles of high society, now that those garrulous ladies (and quite a few foppish dandies) have seen them canoodling. but at any rate francel happily reclaims his seat beside aymeric, ready to watch the rest of the show.]

[heiresy]

And you are the sweetest lover I have ever had the joy of courting.

[He wonders if he's trying to set his lately uninteresting little public persona fully ablaze. Did he crave this attention without realizing it?

As he sits he moves his arm to casually place his hand on Francel's knee.]

To be honest with you, I have never courted anyone before.

[haillenarte]

[objectively, it could be worse. tongues would wag so much more if aymeric were seen with someone like emmanellain. francel, at least, has the benefit of being known as a proper and pious man — albeit one with few accomplishments to his name.

but thoughts of gossip and controversy are far from francel's mind as he looks in surprise at the hand on his knee — then, smiling shyly, he places his hand atop aymeric's.]

Never? But — Ser Aymeric, surely you must know how fervently you are desired by... certain men and women in our fair city. Have you... truly never felt tempted towards another?

[heiresy]

Tempted, of course. But I've never found anyone worth my while. I have never met a man who has captured me so. I have danced and taken others to bed, but...

[He looks down at their hands at as the house lights dim again.]

You have changed things for me.

[As the room goes dark to their unadjusted eyes, Aymeric leans forward to place a kiss on his lips.]

[haillenarte]

[oh.

oh.

the second act starts with a musical number that francel really should watch and listen to, given that his beloved lord ilvaux is singing and dancing on stage, but this kiss from aymeric is far more important, and he closes his eyes to savor every second, as if it's their first. aymeric's lips are wonderfully warm, and it takes all the self-control that francel has in his body to stay perfectly still as those soft, plush lips pull away.]

...I do not understand what it is that draws you to me. But I am... so very drawn to you, Aymeric, I...

[simultaneously greedy and innocent, francel ignores the voices and the sound of strings from below in favor of leaning close for another kiss.]

[heiresy]

[Aymeric reciprocates the second with enthusiasm, allowing the music to color his own love story.

He pulls after a moment, placing a fingers softly to Francel's lips. ]

I think it may bother you if you miss the handsome lord's song. We can resume at my home.

[haillenarte]

...Your song is sweeter.

[but on that lustful note, francel sighs and makes himself comfortable leaning on aymeric's shoulder to watch the play.

lord ilvaux and his many romantic woes distract him from his pressing lust for aymeric soon enough; eventually, he gets back to being engrossed in the comedic courtship of ilvaux and hatione. in the end, ilvaux does not fake-marry echette the way francel had hoped — instead, it turns out that hatione has been a noble lady in disguise all along, which rather defeats the whole purpose of the play being about a lord and a maidservant...]

[heiresy]

[Aymeric places his head upon Francel's, finding it easier to pay attention now.

Sadly, there's hardly anything that controversial in the theaters. He had heard of some nobleman writing a ballad about the dragonsong war, but surely they would be waiting many, many moons for that. He was a little curious who would play him in it...]

Did you enjoy it, Lord Francel?

[He asks with a small smile as he finishes the last drop of his drink. He sets it down on the tiny seat-side table. He offers his hand to Francel to assist him in standing.]

[haillenarte]

[francel stirs as if from a long slumber, holding tightly to aymeric's hand and allowing the older man to pull him to his feet. the drinks were rather more strong than he was expecting, also; feeling vaguely dizzy, he continues leaning on aymeric's arm as they walk out.]

...I was rather hoping Hatione would not turn out to be a noblewoman in disguise. But — yes, aside from that point, I thought it was a lovely show.

Oh, I wonder if I should speak to the actor who played Lord Ilvaux...

[heiresy]

A terribly safe choice, wasn't it? [Aymeric gives him a momentary knowing sideways smile.]

[He pulls Francel up much more easily than he thought he would. He is still unused to Francel's light frame.]

It is not unusual to pay compliments to the actors. [Aymeric is very slightly tipsy, his constitution much higher than his partner's.] Shall we find him?

[haillenarte]

With the both of us so dizzy?

[francel laughs — at least he's self-aware enough for it.]

Oh, he will think us a pair of terrible drunkards! Let us not, let us not. I am much too shy.

[heiresy]

[He pulls Francel in close against his side, wrapping his arm around the back of Francel's middle.]

Are you sure? He likely deal with worse.... Though I am eager to take you home.

[He walks them down to towards the lobby, firing serious looks to onlookers.

[haillenarte]

[being so close to aymeric is absolutely ruining francel's sense of propriety. he giggles again, breathlessly, and — heedless of the fact that they're now in the heart of the throng — leans forward and talks to aymeric in a flirtatious voice.]

Will you be angry if I go to say hello?

[his nose touches aymeric's ear when he croons:]

I love a jealous man...

[heiresy]

[Aymeric's face heats as Francel touches his ear. He looks down at him with a curious look. He figures that it's only natural to feel desired as such. He vaguely remembers some stories of husbands in a jealous rage, but that's entirely too far and not even a little romantic-]

I won't be angry if you want to greet him. I would be terribly sore if you tried to leave with him, however.

[He squeezes Francel for emphasis. In this, Aymeric has lessened his diligence, and the chattering about them raises to a murmur.] I believe that's him there. [He whispers and points close to his body, trying not to be rude.]

[haillenarte]

[francel follows aymeric's gesture to where lord ilvaux's actor is indeed standing outside the stage doors, politely greeting his small crowd of devotees. already, some noble ladies have begun plying the young man with gifts: one woman is holding a bouquet of roses; another, a box of some no doubt luxurious jewelry. tokens to show who truly loves their idol most.

all of them are calling his name to get his attention. "alterre!" "alterre, a moment, if you would?" "alterre..."

because of the actor's fans, francel can't get any closer to him without pushing through some very determined ladies — so he settles for calling out, the only tenor voice in a chorus of sopranos. "master alterre!" he says, somewhat loudly. "your performance was brilliant!"

that gets lord ilvaux's attention. the chance that he would reciprocate francel's particular brand of admiration is not terribly high — but, in ishgard, there are things that men may do between men that they cannot do with the fairer sex, and being rather more intimate is one of them. alterre the actor has graced every noble lady with a smile and a polite thank-you; when he turns to the only noble lord that has greeted him, he instead delivers a roguish wink and a blown kiss. "thank you kindly, my lord — thank you kindly, brother!" he calls back, in a rather genuine voice.

elated, francel turns back toward aymeric, gleaming with glee.]

Oh, did you see that, Aymeric? He winked at me!

[heiresy]

[Aymeric is personally floored by this other man's charm. This shouldn't be baffling- the man is an actor. He makes a hand gesture as if he is trying to think to cover his reddening cheeks. He takes a steadying breath and drops his hand once he thinks he's good.]

I forbid you from getting any closer to that incubus of a man.

[His hand moves from his lower back to Francel's hip. His hand squeezes very firmly there]

[haillenarte]

O — Oh? Er — Aymeric? Why is that?

[this is just innocent stammering, and not an actual question, but the squeeze to his hip makes him squeak with delight and he melts into aymeric's touch all over again.]

Surely he won't bite...

[but he allows himself to be walked out of the theater, quite eager now to see aymeric's home.]

[heiresy]

You can't trust a man like that. [He fans himself a bit, hoping that Francel just chalks up it up to the body heat in the lobby.]

[They step up into the cold, Aymeric looks over to Francel to see if he seems cold. They walk towards his home, and Aymeric can't stop smiling at him. The way back to Borel manor isn't a horrible walk, but by the time they can see it, the sun is beginning to set.]

Pardon if this is an intrusion, but your family won't be expecting you tonight, will they?

[haillenarte]

No, I do not believe so. They never seem to care whether I am out or at home...

[francel's siblings likely care for him a lot more than he thinks. still, he doesn't seem upset about the situation as he smiles back at aymeric and pulls his capelet tight over himself to shield his neck from the cold.]

Besides, I am a man grown. They've little room to complain even if they wished to.

[heiresy]

Aye. You aren't a young maiden. [Aymeric makes a noise of confusion as he sees a few people standing outside his gate.]

Though perhaps your assessment is somewhat off.

[Count Baurendouin, his sons, and bizarrely, Lord Emmanellain are milling about. The Count seems agitated as he turns. "Joacin!"]

[haillenarte]

F-Father?! Oh... oh dear...

[at first francel makes as if to break away from aymeric, but, well... they've already been seen snuggling and it wouldn't do any good now. instead, francel looks around desperately, as though trying to identify escape routes.

in the end — thankfully — he steps up to face his father like a real man.]

Father, what are you doing here?!

[heiresy]

["I've come to end this farce, Joacin. Your brothers and Lord Emmanellain corroborate that you have been parading the Lord Commander around all of Ishgard! You will be coming back with me at once! And my humblest, most sincere apologies on behalf of my rotten son," the count offers a bow so deep that his hat nearly falls off.

Aymeric's words are stopped in his throat. He's unsure if he should laugh, or allow Francel to talk first? He looks at Francel with a baffled look.]

No, no... Ser. That is, Count Baurendouin. You are mistaken.