crescentview | 🍁🎑🦋 Bug Eater Farm: Autumn Catch-all 🦋🎑🍁

[They're bad at decor but it's a serviceable house. Syrlya closes the door before he follows Trahearne to the kitchen, stopping in the archway.

Once Trahearne speaks, he folds his arms and casually leans against the edge.] Well, then, I'm listening.

[ He's not going to sit? Trahearne's free hand hesitantly hovers over the chair for a moment, wondering if he should sit anyway, but ultimately decides not to. So he, in turn, decides to lean lightly against the edge of the table, careful not to dislodge it from its spot.

Now here comes the easy part. ]

I owe you an apology. [ It's the easy part, yes, but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel slightly nervous about this.

As he speaks, his tone is calm and measured; whatever emotional turmoil that had possessed him on the day of the auction is gone now. ] I should not have signed you up for the auction without speaking with you first, nor did I take the time to really consider what your perspective might be on the matter.

[ Deciding he doesn't like leaning on the table, he rights himself and takes a half step towards the doorframe. ]

I am sorry, Syrlya.

[Syrlya doesn't even need the empathy connection to tell he's nervous with the way he keeps fidgeting around. Syrlya hardly moves at all, though his posture is relaxed and not defensive.]

Apology accepted. [Well that was easy.] Provided you don't do it again.

Of course not.

[ Trahearne falls silent, lips pursing. Amber eyes settle on the other sylvari, studying him. No way this is that easy.

His eyes drop to the bouquet, then back up again. He could move on to item number two, but...this doesn't feel...right? ]

You were furious with me.

[ An observation, yes. But also an invitation for Syrlya to say more, if he so likes. ]

Yes, I was. [And Trahearne has now apologized and acknowledged he shouldn't have done it.] Do you... need more of an explanation?

[ Trahearne continues to stare, confused. Maybe Syrlya's ire wasn't as deep as he thought it was, that it really was superficial, all things considered. Could he have dropped by three, four days later instead? Did he not need to squander even more time than he already has?

Syrlya cooled off rather quickly, all things considered. A weariness seeps through him, wondering if he'd gotten upset for nothing. All that energy, the worrying, the sleepless nights--for nothing? Was it his own fault that his imagination blew all this out of control? That should be a good thing. It really wasn't a big deal. It's fine.

Ah, but that doesn't really address the root of the problem, does it? ]

No, I suppose not.

[ Otegine gave him the gist afterwards. If Syrlya isn't willing to share details, then either he is not privy to this information or it clearly isn't important.

All the justifications he had ready for this conversation melt away, forgotten.

A little smile crosses his face. ]

I take it your date went well, then?

[It's been a week Trahearne.]

For the most part. [Flynn was the most unknowable factor, and he was nice enough. Everything else was on the back of exactly what happened at the auction proper.] Though I wouldn't say it's put me any closer to getting married.

[ IT WAS AN AGONIZING WEEK. It's hard when you're an overthinker. It's hard when he didn't see, or even feel Syrlya once the entire time.

Syrlya's affirmation that the date went okay visibly eases the tension in his shoulders. He nods, both in satisfaction--see? that wasn't so bad--and agreement--he doubted his time on the boat with Otegine and Pyra really counted as pushing him closer to marriage.

Still. Maybe it did. In a way. ]

...I suppose that brings me to my second order of business.

[ This is the hard part.

Trahearne strides across the room, and stands before Syrlya. Close. Perhaps a little too close. He hands him the bouquet, a modest, yet elegant collection of flowers. A calm smile settles over his face as he peers down at him, barely masking his flutter of nerves. ]

[Ah. Mishka said he intended to talk to Trahearne, so in a way... Syrlya was anticipating this (though he was starting to wonder if the flowers were actually for him).

He looks down into the bouquet, gingerly taking them and breathing in the scent.]

For me? [He looks back up at Trahearne.] Thank you.

[ bug man really ruining the surprise smh

Trahearne's smile widens; he doesn't step back after handing it over. He simply smiles down at him, adoration decorating his features. ]

I'm here to...formally ask you out on a date. Not as part of a goddess-mandated activity, not under the influence of a curse or mind-altering substance, but of my own free will. As Trahearne.

[ No titles, nothing. ]

[There is it. Despite expecting it, in a way, he still finds himself nervous at the prospect. There's a flutter in his stomach that makes him a little sick.

He thinks of the kids they shared, and how much less he expected that.

He doesn't let any of it show on his face.] Very well. You may take me out on a date.

[ He feels the flutter, and it feeds into his own nerves. The tug at the corner of his mouth quivers lightly, trying to keep his joy from completely overtaking him. Even if the reply is close to neutral, it's still a yes.

Syrlya's measured response keeps him calm, too. His tone, though, comes out with more delight than he intends. ]

Then I'll come by at dusk, if that's all right with you.

[Wait.] Tonight? [Already??]

Um, what did you have in mind?

[ Unexpected? Trahearne grins, head tilting as he does. ]

I thought it would be nice to have a meal together, then perhaps go for a walk.

[ And talk, but that should be a given.

It sounds simple, but...he really doesn't think they need an elaborate activity to enjoy each other's company. Selfishly, he just wants to spend quality time with him alone. ]

[Later, Syrlya will wonder what Trahearne's plan was if he'd said no.]

All right, then. [He almost asks where to meet but, right, Trahearne said he'd find him. Here. So he shouldn't leave today? Just in case.] I'll... look forward to it.

[ A simple plan means it's much easier to cancel, doesn't it? ]

I am looking forward to it. [ Maybe Syrlya isn't now, but Trahearne most certainly is. Right now.

He gives the hands that hold the bouquet a light squeeze before stepping back, eyes still on Syrlya. The excitement coming from him is palpable. ]

See you tonight, Syrlya.

[ And he excuses himself, back to his own farm. ]

[Syrlya watches Trahearne leave, barely sees him to the door and is left standing there alone once it clicks shut.

He buries his face into the bouquet and breathes deep. Finally he finds the ability to move, turning back to the kitchen to fill a pitcher with water for a makeshift vase and set the flowers on the table. He needs to get done by evening, so... he's better get to work now.

...

It's a lot of work, it turns out, and he almost loses track of the hour. As the sun is coming down he hurries back to deposit most of the gathered harvest in the kitchen. Otegine can handle that, probably.

By the time Trahearne returns, Syrlya is near the flowers just in front of the farmhouse, trying to dust all the dirt off his clothes.]

[ The rest of Trahearne's day is spent in a buzz between working the farm and getting Kaspar's help in looking good. It's hard to hide his chipper he is, though he tries to keep reasonable expectations for the outing. Even, considering, what little skeletons of plans he has mapped out in his mind.

And so arrives at Syrlya's farm right on time; he has foregone his usual coverings for a different assortment of leaves, pieces long, slimming, reminiscent of a suit—a sylvari interpretation of formal wear.

It doesn't bother him to see Syrlya in his regular armor, though. He only approaches with a smile, admiring the other's faint glow under the setting sun. ]

Are we ready?

[Syrlya looks up--and freezes on the spot. Trahearne is dressed up? In nice leaves?

... Maybe he should have expected this. But his other dates had been casual. Is this not casual?]

... I don't have anything else to wear.

[ To be fair, Trahearne had given no indication it was not mean to be anything more than casual.

Except, perhaps, this is Trahearne. ]

I think you are perfectly lovely the way you are.

[ With a reassuring smile, he places his hand on Syrlya's arm, offering a gentle squeeze. ]

But if you'd like to dress up, I don't mind stopping by the shop to pick something up. [ They're not in a hurry, anyway. ] My treat.

Am I underdressed? [He didn't think there was any fancy noble places on this island. Is this actually normal for dating? That's an aspect of Kas and Jory's relationship he wasn't really privy to, but now that he thinks about it hadn't Kas been worrying about her clothes once?]

I--I couldn't ask you to pay for it.

No? I wouldn't mind.

[ A small price to pay for a nice evening, he honestly doesn't mind. ]

But I also don't want to make you uncomfortable. You are not underdressed. All I wanted to do was look nicer, perhaps, for you.

[ He tilts his head. ]

It's your decision.

No, no, I'll pay for it. [He knows neither of them are loaded on gold and connections like it would be in Tyria. He doesn't know how much Trahearne has to spend on his farm and roommate, maybe Kaspar is expensive.] Where is it we're going? Is there a reservation?

[ Syrlya's confirmation of what he wants to do lets Trahearne nod. So it shall be, then. He angles himself towards town and holds out his elbow for the other to take. It happens so fluidly that it seems practiced, almost thoughtless, but he most certainly agonized over this. Not that it shows. ]

We're going to the restaurant. We don't have a reservation, but I'm sure it'll be fine.

[ They'll end up eating together, one way or another. ]

Lucia's? Or the other one? [Neither of them need a reservation anyway he... thinks? He's just considering how much time they actually have to stop by the clothing shop.]

If we're stopping by anywhere else we'll have to be quick. I doubt the stores will still be open much later.

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