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

[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.

The other one.

[ He nudges Syrlya with his extended arm with a tease. Take it, fool. ]

Then perhaps we'd best stop talking and get moving.

[It takes Syrlya a minute to realize Trahearne is offering his arm, but he slips his around.] All right. We can go now.

[... He quickly scrapes dirt off the bottom of his shoes.]

[ Trahearne can't help but give a light chuckle at that. What a delight he is. Just in general.

And so they make their way to town—swiftly, before the stores close. Though the sun sinks lower into the sky, it seems a number of the non-food establishments are still open, at least for a little while longer. When they reach the clothing store, Trahearne lets go of Syrlya's arm and comes to stand by the front door. ]

Don't let me slow you down. I'll be here.

[ And to give him some space to decide, too. Without his interference. ]

I won't be long. [Syrlya disconnects, taking a deep breath before he enters the clothing shop alone.

...

It takes longer than he expects, not exactly used to dressing up for an occasion. Apparently picking the right outfit is Very Important, but e emphasizes his budget and the need to keep... a fair amount of skin covered. Mostly around his neck, shoulders, torso... hips...

But he doesn't explain, even if it just makes him look lucky about the shape. After some looking around, he settles on a dress and shoes to rent, and return it in the next few days.

He pays and thanks them before leaving the shop, his usual attire bundled up in a large shopping bag as he's replaced it with a white cowled dress and some short-heeled slip ons.]

Well, I'm finished. Finally.

Edited 2023-02-09 20:55 (UTC)

[ In the meanwhile, Trahearne spends his time watching the sky darken; he seems calm on the outside, but on the inside, he's buzzing with nerves. He's eager to see what sort of outfit Syrlya picks, he hopes it goes well, he hopes Syrlya has a good time.

He hears the bell on the door to the shop ring, and his head snaps to the side. When he sees what Syrlya's wearing, his expression immediately lights up. ]

You look--

[ He catches himself as the word forms in his throat. Is he...is he allowed to say that? Now? For a moment he falters, his mind kicking into high gear, trying to decide what he should say, now that the words have left his mouth.

...Actually, he'd told himself he wasn't going to hold himself back anymore. So why is he overthinking this? ]

--beautiful.

[ It's a good thing Syrlya chose the outfit he did. Trahearne isn't thinking about anyone else. Nor does he want to. As far as he's concerned, they're the only two people in the world right now.

He approaches, beaming smile still on his face as he extends his arm again. ]

Shall we?

[It's not the words, but Trahearne's expression as he says them that gives Syrlya pause.]

Well--you look good yourself. [He almost mumbles. You'd think being such a public figure would make him better at taking compliments, but those about himself have always been a little harder to swallow because he just never expects them.

There's just the faintest blush on his cheeks as he gingerly takes Trahearne's arm to descend the short steps--and he's glad he talked them out of pushing those shoes with the much larger heels.] Let's go eat.

[ Unfortunately, at this point, Trahearne has been lavished with compliments by so many others that he's learned to take those directed towards his appearance in stride. Experience brought him confidence, but that confidence comes with...a history of people that aren't Syrlya.

He isn't thinking about that, though. Instead he gives a soft chuckle; he feels light, and he feels the prick of a flush on his own cheeks. ]

Thank you.

[ Has he ever heard Syrlya say that to him before? Even if he has, it fills him with joy all the same.

With the other on his arm, they make their way across town to the restaurant, and...

"I'm sorry, but we're full for the rest of the evening."

It's not like Trahearne has much experience with this. At all. Slightly shocked that there are enough people on the island to fill up the restaurant, he heads back out. ]

That's unfortunate. [ He sighs a bit, but doesn't seem too bothered by the change in plans. He glances down the street. ] I suppose we could swing by the grocery store to find something to eat.

[In retrospect, maybe he should have expected this. This isn't a bit island, but that also means there aren't a lot of other places to go. He'd been here for a dinner date once before with Kaeya, so he's not surprised not getting a reservation was a problem after all... but he's mindful not to bring that up.]

... It's fine, I'm not that hungry anyway. [Or rather, he doesn't want to engage with messy eating when he has to return this dress.] I don't mind skipping dinner.

Are you sure?

[ Just to make doubly sure. He knows Syrlya won't starve, and Trahearne himself doesn't mind skipping food. He just doesn't want to send him home hungry. ]

So long as you don't mind walking on an empty stomach.

[ Said with a hint of a tease. ]

It's fine, Trahearne. [Although now he's kind of hoping that this walking wasn't supposed to be some ticketed event too. Better keep his expectations low. He adjusts the bag on his arm.] You lead the way. You know where we're going.

All right.

[ And with a little smile, he begins walking off through the town at a leisurely pace. The walk definitely isn't a ticketed event... Or at least he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere.

After a little moment of silence, he looks over. ]

How have you been?

[ It's been a while. In his book. ]

[Syrlya follows beside him, occasionally glancing around to see if he can guess where it is they're walking to.]

I've been fine. [At least, nothing that's stressed him out has actually been his personal problems.] I've noticed it's a new season...

[ They are headed east, and Trahearne seems to be taking them on a path that will lead them out of town. ]

It is.

[ He breathes in, taking in the faint humidity behind the crisp in the air. It's getting cold. ]

To think it was spring when we first arrived, and now autumn is upon us.

[ Two seasons... There's a little twinge of guilt at that. Just a faint one. ]

It's very strange that they're so short. [This is obviously the thing to focus on. What the fuck. They're only four weeks.

This dress leaves him more exposed to the cold, so it's only the natural coolness of his body that spares him from feeling worse in it.]

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