crescentview | 🌸FALL CATCHALL🌸

[He's a little blown away just stepping into this place - he's never been ANYWHERE quite this fancy, let alone treated like a patron. But it's about midway through the day, and Otegine at least wanted all three of them to spend some sort of time together, even if there's some very clear boundaries on how he wants to approach both parties on this date of theirs.

That doesn't, however, change the fact that his eyes get as big as dinner plates when he spots other dishes at other tables. Someone here loves food... quite a lot.]

Aaaah... Look at all of this...! Finally, some place with sake... [Oh and speaking of which -- Otegine's brightly thanking the server that rounds with a bottle and three glasses, offering to pour. The brunette, oddly, declines the offer, letting the server give them time to look over the menu before they come back.

Otegine's smile falls into something comfortable and nostalgic as he takes up the bottle, a straightened and gentle formality to how he organizes the glasses, how he starts to pour.]

I'll do the honors. [Starting with Pyra, then Trahearne.] Thank you for letting me in your care today, both of you. And for letting me care in kind.

[Only when they have their own glasses comfortably to themselves does he pour one for himself.] I drink this often with one of my closest companions back home. It's been sorely missed, so... it's good to see it in a place like this.

[It's an odd balancing of the day, trying to juggle two people. But Otegine finds a quiet time to go look for Trahearne when Pyra's been given time to herself - perhaps in the spa, perhaps taking a rest - either way, leaving Otegine alone and with a good chance to speak to the Sylvari without making things too awkward.

Wherever he finds Trahearne on the boat, Otegine will give a little clearing of his throat to get his attention, nodding respectfully.]

Sir. Do you mind if I take up some of your time?

[They've had some time to do some exploring as a group. But Trahearne has taken some time to dismiss himself to speak to Mishka, and for Otegine... this feels like a perfect opportunity to jump onto the nervous, winding hesitancies currently tightening in his chest.

Wherever Pyra's wandered off to, Otegine goes searching, giving her a polite distance to make sure she's not occupied before sliding in to try and get her attention.]

...Hey, Pyra? If it's alright... did you want to talk a walk for a little bit, before we do anything else?

[ The sun hangs low over the horizon when Otegine finds Trahearne--he stands on the deck, absently watching the shimmering of the setting sun on the water. He's perfectly still, lost in thought.

This is his favorite time of day.

But Otegine's voice isn't a shock or scare for him. He slowly rights himself and turns to face the other, a small smile on his face. ]

Of course not. What do you need, Otegine?

[ Trahearne has never been a part of such luxury, either. He has been received well by important people, given his standing at home, but nothing like this. Nothing so...opulent. Meant for relaxing, and not for business.

With great interest, Trahearne watches as Otegine pours with practiced hand. He gives the other a similarly pleased smile when he sees the wistful look cross his face. The context of this entire dinner aside, it's nice to have comforts from home. ]

I'm glad, Otegine, for your sake. I can tell how much you've missed this.

[ He takes the small cup in his hands. It must be strong if they have to use such tiny little things. ]

And I'm delighted to get to know you, Pyra. I hope I've not made your outing uncomfortable.

[ He holds up his glass to her in a little "cheers" motion. ]

Just your time for now. Please.

[He'll let the request settle in the silence, insistent, before stepping up to join Trahearne, letting his elbows lean against the deck railing with a deep inhale of the salty air of the sea.]

Have you ever been out to the ocean like this?

In a way.

[ Trahearne idly observes Otegine for a moment before turning his attention back over the water. ]

I often traveled by ship--I had business in an island just off the mainland, and the safest and quickest way there was by ship. [ His hand comes to rest on the railing; he's still surprised by how it's coated in smooth lacquer. He doesn't have to worry about splinters here. ] The rocking of the ship over the waves was often accompanied by a stir of unease inside of me; that instinctive sensation is at odds with the knowledge we will be safely returning to harbour at the end of the day.

[ His mouth twists into a wry smile. ]

How about you?

[He shakes his head.]

Our country is an island, so I've seen the ocean often. But history never had need for us out at sea, I guess. [To be taken out to sea after the borders closed meant you were destined to rot at the bottom of the ocean... he knows quite a few that would have unease for the sea just like he does for the flames that haunt his dreams.]

To be out with nothing but water is a little... daunting. As if I think about too hard, I might wonder if solid ground will ever come back. Like looking off a cliffside and not being able to see the bottom.

[It's weird! He doesn't know how to feel about it all.]

Maybe I just wasn't built for boats.

[ Trahearne glances at Otegine as he speaks, quietly letting his words settle in his mind. He places it alongside the tidbits he already knows of him, letting it form a bigger picture of who Otegine is. History never had a need for us out at sea is such curious wording. An island nation that did not need a navy? Hmm. ]

I don't think many of us were.

[ Not to belittle Otegine's sentiment, but to offer sympathy. ]

But I understand. The vastness of the open ocean makes one feel infinitely small, in a way that gazing at the stars does not. [ Likely because there is no risk of the night sky suddenly coming down and consuming everything.

He watches the sunset for a moment, then turns to Otegine. There is faint worry for him in his eyes. ]

I hope that hasn't detracted too much from your time today.

Eh?

[Detracted... oh. Was Trahearne worried he wasn't enjoying himself?]

No, not at all! It's... heh, it's kind of nice, actually. It's something I don't know if we'd ever get a chance to do back home unless we got lucky. Really, I'm more than glad I get to experience it with good company by my side.

[...

His fingers lace together over the railing with a firm exhale.]

That said, I feel I owe you an apology, sir.

Edited 2023-02-03 16:01 (UTC)

[ Ah, that's good. Trahearne eases a bit when Otegine reassures him; sometimes, he wasn't sure how deep another's idle worries and comments went. He offers a little nod, a tiny smile, then begins to turn his head away--

--when Otegine surprises him again. ]

You do? [ A frown. ] I don't think you've done anything that warrants an apology.

You... uh...

You opened up a lot of your feelings after what happened at the auction, right? I don't want to treat that lightly. But I know this whole situation's put you in an awkward position.

[Understanding emotions has never been a strong suit for him, and he wasn't sure how else to help. But he can't shake that he might have caused more of a problem here than not.]

So... if I've made you feel obligated or anything, by being here without your own say... then I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken that sort of choice from you. Especially not after what you've told me.

[It's been an awkward morning, trying to navigate anything on the ship without feeling like it might make Owen miserable. At the very least, Otegine's tried to coax Owen to show him anything on the buffet that he recognized from home, tried to chatter when the space lulled. But the air still sits tense between them, especially with Owen pointedly dodging the spa amenities. Otegine thinks it might do him some good, but... it's nothing he can force.

So when Owen slips back to the bedroom for a bit to sulk, Otegine gives him a little space and time before eventually following up behind, closing the door but not quite latching it just yet. If Owen told him to leave, he'd leave.]

...Hey. [It's gentle, cautious, trying to see where Owen's at before he gets too comfortable.]

Is the mood getting a little too boring for you up there on the deck?

[ Ah, about that.

Trahearne's unease and disappointment in himself had eased these past few days; the cruise, it turned out, had been a good distraction. As refreshing as it has been, he can't lose sight of his goal. ]

Not at all. There's no need to apologise.

I have enjoyed my time on the ship, and I have enjoyed spending time with and getting to know both you and Pyra. Though I'd hardly count our time spent here as romantic, I still value it nonetheless.

[ There's a little pause. ]

To be honest, I was not expecting this whole ordeal to be so...serious. Considering our previous town events were not.

[There'a a visible ease to the Touken's shoulders as he nods his understanding, one hand rubbing absent-mindedly at his neck as he lets the pieces of the auction play back through his memory.]

I don't know if it was intended to be. Things just spiraled out of control pretty fast on a few different avenues. I don't know if anyone could have guessed that much.

The goddess is pretty insistent we get married to someone by the end of all this, though. Who knows what will happen if she gets impatient. Maybe she will want us to be more serious.

Though... [And his voice drops to a mutter.] I wish she'd get the message that some of us just can't commit to that.

Edited 2023-02-04 06:53 (UTC)

[ The date auction had been... "disastrous" doesn't begin to encapsulate it. They refuse to admit to themselves that they wish they'd have snagged at least one date. It's no one's fault, of course, because there's no fault to be had.

They're not lonely. That's ridiculous.

It hadn't been difficult to figure out who contestant 20 is; Owen had bet all of his coins on him. They don't expect to see him around, either, as much as they try to keep to themselves. Especially since Otegine and Owen know each other... it's too much of a risk.

As distracted as they are in general, Mira doesn't notice they're about to run into someone until they literally run into someone. At least they don't eat shit, like they did with Gaku. ]

Oh-- uh. Sorry.

[ There's a part of him that wonders if this cruise is meant to show that things are about to be more serious--though Trahearne had always only ever had sights set on one person, his own doubts and questions had held him back. And that led him to what felt like aimless wandering. But what has happened in the past few days has been enough for him to start taking this seriously, and that his attitude about this had been wrong.

And so he nods at that.

What Otegine says last, however, sets off those quiet alarm bells again. He looks over at him with a concerned frown. ]

Why do you say that, Otegine?

[...]

What do they call it now... a "conflict of interests", I guess?

[There's more he wants to say, but he bites his tongue. No, he knows better. He can be smarter about this.]

Remembering what might be waiting at home makes it hard to make promises. Responsibilities, and just... how things have to be...

War doesn't leave room for much else. That's why those who can fight, do. So others can make those memories and chart history, even if we can't promise to join them.

[Trahearne's a soldier, isn't he? Surely he can understand that much, even if Otegine's coming at it from a perspective far different than a regular footman.]

That's all I meant.

[ Right.

Trahearne's head and gaze snap slightly out towards the sunset again, as though trying to ignore his own questions regarding the matter. That's how his entire life has been thus far, and why he had been perfectly content to set aside the frivolous thought of romance. But now? Given another life and another chance? If he's doomed to return to the exact moment whence he came, then is it even fair to him or any other at this point?

He idly wonders if he'd been better off left to oblivion in that case. ]

I see.

[ His voice is quiet in understanding, because this sounds so familiar. Even if it does not quite apply to him one hundred percent. ]

Even if given the opportunity to travel with another to their world, [ He doesn't know how it works for those who come from different realities. ] would you find it hard to abandon your duties at home?

[ Even Trahearne, at the end of the day, would still want to go back. Even if he isn't needed anymore. ]

[...]

Yeah. To be honest, I don't even know if it's possible. I... probably shouldn't dwell on if it's possible, really.

[A tsukumogami set loose from its confines, without a master to keep its new body whole, without a check on its emotions, without a purpose to keep it grounded... he wonders if he'd become nothing more than a ghost of what he is now, if that.]

Our citadel gets used to passing through others lives like this. So it's not exactly a new situation. All we can really do is do our job, and help where we can. [Things like staying behind, falling in love... not so much.]

...

Uh. Actually, speaking of that, though... [He starts rummaging through the pockets of his jacket, eventually producing a small leather pouch.] If you don't mind, sir... I have something for you.

Edited 2023-02-06 16:26 (UTC)

[ In the pause, Trahearne studies Otegine, a hint of sympathy in his eyes. Though he isn't exactly sure of the particulars...it sounds like a lonely existence, one marked by a singular purpose. To wait for orders and enact war--surely, he thinks, Otegine deserves better than this.

His thoughts are so concentrated on Otegine, though, that he's a bit surprised when the other turns the conversation to him. To a gift. For him?

Trahearne's head tilts, brows knitting lightly in his puzzlement. ]

You do?

[He nods and holds the pouch out.]

Just something that I thought could be useful to you. You could think of it as cultural exchanges, too, I guess.

Please.

Edited 2023-02-06 17:10 (UTC)

🌸FALL CATCHALL🌸

DATE CRUISE (some dubious time between Fall 1 and Fall 7)

Pyra/Trahearne

Owen

dinner three ways -- let's do order of Ote > Trahearne > Pyra for this

Trahearne

Pyra

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