A Glorious Wine Tasting

[heiresy]

[With the new Alliance came eager merchants and expanded trade routes. The Limsan wine makers and sellers snapped at the chance to expand their markets; and what better way to sell wine than a wine tasting? The tables were lined all around the ballroom, ready-set to host the moneyed of Ishgard.

The Lord Commander was certainly invited, and he felt obliged to accept. His wine cellars could use some replenishing anyway...

The merchants poured him a little glass at every table, pushing it on him. He drank every glass, and with each glass the next seemed more reasonable. He had worked himself at least halfway around the room before he was starting to eye a way out. His exit is cut off. Nowhere to run-

A woman with a tray of wine stands before him, offering it directly. He can't refuse. He takes it, trying to seem as sober as possible. He thanks her, stepping away. At least with a glass in hand, they aren't making him take up another.]

Comments

[sylphisticated]

I can't imagine you getting very far if we were to detour. [It's a slight tease. A rarity from the usually stoic Au Ra, but he's comfortable around Aymeric.] I can't imagine what would give me away as far as being a foreigner. [Such sarcasm.] I don't think I own a coat that would deem proper to this weather.

[It doesn't help that he spent a good chunk of his time in Coerthas clad in Dragoon armor. A coat just never ended up making it to his wardrobe.]

Probably the inn. [He didn't want to impose on the Fortemps on such short notice.]

[heiresy]

[He looks up at him to grin and chuckle at his jest. Jokes coming from men like Kiehl were such a treat.] You're so broad-shouldered, too. I don't think I own anything that would fit you.

That won't do. You should stay with me. Aside from my manservant, I live alone... I have more than enough room to house you in this frightfully cold weather.

[sylphisticated]

I wouldn't do your wardrobe much justice. [Not sure if insinuating that Aymeric is attractive or downplaying his own appearance. Who knows.] I can look into acquiring one if it'll put you at ease in the future though.

I don't wish to impose on you.

[heiresy]

[He gives him a curious sidelong glance. What was the other man implying here?] I would be very grateful if you did. I know that it is silly to worry about someone like you, but I can hardly help it.

[He reaches over with the arm that isn't bracing himself on Kiehl, placing an ungloved hand on his bare bicep] You couldn't impose on me if you tried. ...And I know for a fact that the beds in my home are more comfortable than those in the inn.

[sylphisticated]

[Like Kiehl will elaborate. He won't.] I will look into it then. [Most of the time; he wouldn't bother. He can make exceptions for certain people.] Your concern is appreciated though.

[Kiehl's skin is cold to the touch. The taller man probably would be more than happy to be back in a warm space. Even if he isn't complaining about it.] Only if you are sure about it. It's not as though I mind the beds of the inn. I have used their services before. [For different reasons.]

[heiresy]

I have, too. —In my younger days. I doubt they have changed the beds since then. You deserve much better. A sight for sore eyes... My home is there, up ahead.

[He begins pulling Kiehl towards it, noting the chill on his skin. The cold had begun to set into his own flesh as well. He unlocks it hastily to usher the other inside, shutting the chilly winds behind them. Once in, he hangs his coat and wipes his boots. ]

Could I get you some hot tea, perhaps? My manservant will have retired for the night, but I am fully capable of being a host.

[sylphisticated]

You flatter me with words. [A little loss to him. He's never been particularly picky about his sleeping arrangements before. He would gladly sleep on the floor if he had to.

Kiehl lets the other usher him in; already noting how much warmer it is inside than it is outside. He glances around him before turning his attention back to Aymeric.]

I would appreciate that. Thank you. [Although, tea isn't probably a good descriptor of how he drinks it. There's probably more milk and sugar than actual tea in the end.

No one would probably guess how much of a sweet tooth he really has.]

[heiresy]

Come sit by the fire while I boil some water, then. [ He leads Kiehl into the parlor. He's still clearly drunk by the way he moves, but it's easier to be this way in one's own home. There are a couple high-backed plush chairs pulled up by the fire. The room is lined with books, and the curtains are drawn against the frozen window panes.

He disappears into another room for a few minutes, coming back with a tea tray. There's a generous pot of coffee, a small pitcher of cream, birch syrup, and a plate of buttery cookies. He sets it on the small table between the chairs.]

How do you take yours?

[sylphisticated]

[Despite being told to sit by the fire; Kiehl was glancing through all the books with a bit of interest. His own place had many. His father was a scholarly type and had a wide collection. He doesn't answer right away even and probably didn't fully realize the other was there until he turns around.]

Ah. Sweet. [Not particularly descriptive.] I like mine sweet. [His tail seems to swing side to side a little more than it usually would.]

[heiresy]

Very well.

[He notes the swing of the tail with interest. He nods, making his tea up as he would for himself. He was under no illusions about how he liked his own tea. Estinien had once accidentally sipped from his cup only to spit it back out, chastising the other man for his tastes. He makes his own cup, sitting back and sipping it.]

Please eat a few biscuits as well; I can hardly eat them all myself before they go stale.

[sylphisticated]

[Kiehl tears himself away from the books to sit across from Aymeric.

He's sure he's offended people with how he takes his tea. His coffee too. Not that it matters to him. If he's going to consume something; he's going to enjoy it.

Except it's a bit too hot. He recoils a little and places the cup back down to let it cool for a bit. Kiehl will help himself to a biscuit instead.] I would have expected there to be more people with a place of this size.

[heiresy]

Don't burn your tongue, Kiehl. [A smile crossed between genuine concern and teasing. Silly.]

My parents were the last of the Borels, and unable to have children. Between the hardships and tragedies of war and their family line's difficulty in having children, our house has emptied save for me.

[ He looks into his cup and sips his tea. He has no difficulty with the near-boiling water.]

I would like to have children, someday. Though for the life of me, I can't imagine when that might happen.

[sylphisticated]

I stopped drinking, didn't I? [He childishly sticks his tongue out at the other.]

Ah... [There's a distant look in Kiehl's eyes. Talk about family and the likes is an awkward topic.] That's unfortunate. Things are looking up now though.

[Awkward. Going to move on from the topic and absentmindedly eat his biscuit.]

I don't understand that sentiment.

[heiresy]

[He smirks for a moment before returning to his tea]

I would certainly say that Ishgard's— and mine own house's futures have vastly improved.

[He looks at him, head tilting slightly.]

Do you dislike children?

[sylphisticated]

I don't like people much. Wouldn't really matter if they were a child or an adult.

[He probably shouldn't say it so casually, but he has never been the type to lie or be vague. He's just the type who doesn't answer questions if he doesn't want to answer them.]

That isn't the reason though. I'm not attracted to women.

[heiresy]

Am I an exception, then? I know men who don't care for others. You seem very sociable in comparison.

[He regards him a moment. How very blunt.]

Is that so?

[It's not as if that was exactly a problem, just...

He gives a bit of a chuckle.] You never cease to surprise me, do you?

[sylphisticated]

I don't invest this much time in someone if I didn't find your companionship worthwhile.

[It's a problem to Kiehl. He isn't really going to have kids unless he decides to take someone in. Having a child with blood relation to him? Not a chance.

Kiehl tilts his head at the other and frowns a little.] Is what I said surprising?

[heiresy]

Then I'm grateful that you find me worthwhile. [a grin]

I suppose I hadn't thought about it, not specifically. Most men aren't so upfront about having those sort of affections.

[He bites his lip, making a split decision with an awful lot of wine in his blood, smearing his judgement.]

Myself included.

[sylphisticated]

There are plenty of people who probably would love to spend their time with you. [There's a lot of things about Aymeric that would make someone want to spend time with him.]

I can't have sex if I'm not a little upfront about it.

[Kiehl looks genuinely surprised. He stops mid sip of his tea.]

I think what you said is more surprising than what I said. [Aymeric, please. Claiming to want kids then saying this. It'll confuse a guy.]

[heiresy]

[Aymeric is hardly a blushing maiden, but to speak so plainly about sex was not common in polite society.] Ishgardian men oft manage without speaking so bluntly. [He chuckles.]

Is it? I suppose I do keep the company of quite a few women. [ He thinks momentarily of all the dancing he does. He has a couple regular dance partners- Not that he sleeps with any of them.]

[sylphisticated]

Am I speaking out of line to say what I did? [He asks seriously. He isn't always aware if he might be speaking out more than he should be. His people skills are weak.] I feel that being up front makes it easier on me. People are not always open minded about my race.

[Kiehl guesses that being attracted to both isn't weird. Maybe he's just surprised by the other when they spoke of children then spoke of being attracted to men.] It caught me by surprise. I suppose it isn't uncommon.

[heiresy]

Then may I take it that you will accept an up front sort of question?

[ He asks this, but really gives Kiehl no time to respond before hitting him with it.]

Are you attracted to me, then?

[sylphisticated]

[Ah.

Kiehl doesn't answer the other. It's kind of silly to be bashful or shy when he was so blunt before. It's a little different to admit to Aymeric that he finds him attractive.

He looks probably a mix between a deer in headlights and looking significantly embarrassed. The other managed to make him flush a bit.]

[heiresy]

[He seems surprised to have taken the other off guard when he so easily spoke about sex with men half a minute earlier.]

My sincerest apologies, my friend. I hardly meant to upset you. I simply thought that such a question wouldn't be out of line for you. You needn't answer me and we can pretend I never asked.

[sylphisticated]

[He clears his throat.] I'm not upset. I...

It is embarrassing to be honest about something like that to someone I value so highly. You are an attractive person. [It's different to tell a stranger he thinks they're attractive.]